Photonic Materials and Device Platforms

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Understand various types and properties of planar waveguide platforms
• Appreciate a range of methods for the fabrication and characterisation of optical fibre waveguide platforms
• Understand various types and properties of optical fibre & waveguide platforms
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the properties of optical materials
• Appreciate a range of methods for the fabrication and characterisation of planar waveguide platforms

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Make quantitative calculations of the properties of optical fibre and planar waveguide devices based on the knowledge of their parameters and materials used
• Apply the knowledge and understanding of optical materials and their properties to choose the right material and fabrication method for a particular fibre/planar waveguide type
• Propose a correct fibre and planar waveguide type for a particular device application

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Use a variety of information sources (lectures, web, journals) to understand & solve problems

Part 1 – Optical materials and their properties

Overview of optical materials and device platforms used in photonics industry

Optical properties of solids – insulator, semiconductor, metals

The Glassy state; Oxide and non-oxide glasses

Attenuation, Refractive index, Dispersion

Birefringence, polarization basics

Nonlinear susceptibilities - χ^((2) ), χ^((3) ) etc.

Part 2 Optical fibre fabrication

Optical fibre basics and properties

Optical fibre materials/types (silica, non-silica and specialty fibres)

Fabrication technology of optical fibres

Cleanroom tour/demonstration

Part 3 – Planar waveguide fabrication

Planar waveguide basics and properties

Planar waveguide materials/types (Semiconductor/Dielectric/Glass: SOI, III-V, LiNbO3, HMO, Chalcogenides, Amorphous and Glass materials…)

Planar waveguide fabrication technology (Deposition, Lithography, Etching, …)

Cleanroom tour/demonstration

Part 4 Characterization

Basic materials characterisation

Fibre & waveguide loss mechanisms

Fibre characterisation

Planar characterisation

Part 5 Applications

Example of fibre applications: telecoms-based

Example of planar applications: Si photonics-based

The course consists of 3-4 lectures per week including a bi-weekly workshop/tutorial/cleanroom and lab demo. Online lecture notes and self-study packs will be provided on Blackboard.

• Learning activities include: attending lectures, problems classes, and exam preparation

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.