Module overview
This module introduces optical materials and their properties, and describes the basic waveguide platforms, including optical fibres and planar waveguides, that underpin photonic technologies. A sound understanding of these optical platforms, their key characteristics, and their fabrication methods is essential for understanding their role and application in technologies such as telecommunications, sensing, and lasers.
Aims and Objectives
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
- Develop knowledge and understanding of the properties of optical materials
- Understand various types and properties of optical fibre & waveguide platforms
- Appreciate a range of methods for the fabrication and characterisation of planar waveguide platforms
- Appreciate a range of methods for the fabrication and characterisation of optical fibre waveguide platforms
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
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Propose a correct fibre and planar waveguide type for a particular device application
- 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
- Make quantitative calculations of the properties of optical fibre and planar waveguide devices based on the knowledge of their parameters and materials used
Syllabus
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
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
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
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Tutorial | 12 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 15 |
| Wider reading or practice | 30 |
| Follow-up work | 15 |
| Completion of assessment task | 15 |
| Lecture | 33 |
| Revision | 30 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final Assessment | 60% |
| Continuous Assessment | 40% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |
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.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |