Module overview
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Use theoretical techniques for the solution of photonic problems
- Design passive photonic devices in silicon technology using state of the art software packages
- Complete a formal report on laboratory experiments
- Develop analytical approaches to understanding complex photonic systems
- Understand techniques for the fabrication of photonic devices
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Understand the operation of many photonic devices, physically and theoretically
- Develop analytical approaches to understanding photonic devices
- Approach research into photonic devices
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Apply appropriate mathematical and software techniques to solve photonic problems
- Use knowledge of physics to understand the behaviour of photonic devices
- Apply appropriate laboratory techniques to characterise passive photonic device
- Understand the operation of photonic devices
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Operation of key passive photonic devices
- Basic concepts governing optical fibres and planar waveguides
- Use of photonics in optical interconnects
Syllabus
Optical waveguides
- Planar dielectric waveguides
- Loss mechanisms, propagation and insertion loss
- Waveguide design (using the Lumerical software package)
- Planar waveguide fabrication
- Passive device characterisation
Optical fibres
- Step index fibre theory
- Gradient index fibre theory
- Optical fibre fabrication
- Optical fibre attenuation
- Optical fibre dispersion
Passive optical devices
- Couplers
- Splitters
- Filters
- Interferometers
- Resonators
- Multiplexers
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching will consist of lectures, laboratory, tutorial, and feedback sessions. The lecturers will use electronic voting systems for in-class testing and peer instruction learning. Students will learn basics of photonic modelling software packages and will characterise the designed photonics devices in a photonic laboratory.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Wider reading or practice | 36 |
Revision | 36 |
Lecture | 30 |
Follow-up work | 14 |
Completion of assessment task | 14 |
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 14 |
Specialist Laboratory | 6 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
A. Ghatak and K. Thyagarajan (1998). Introduction to Fiber Optics. Cambridge University Press.
L. Chrostowski and M. Hochberg (2015). Silicon Photonics Design: From Devices to Systems. Cambridge University Press.
G. Lifante (2003). Integrated Photonics: Fundamentals. Wiley.
G. T. Reed (2004). Silicon Photonics: An Introduction. Wiley.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Final Assessment | 65% |
Continuous Assessment | 35% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Set Task | 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 |
---|---|
Set Task | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External