Photonics Laboratory and Study Skills

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Clear, concise and informative writing up an experiment as a preparation for summarising results for a scientific paper
• Ability to write software that will control and interrogate external equipment via different interface buses
• Correct planning and executing experiments accompanied by recording of laboratory work and relevant observations in lab books together with computer based data acquisition
• Understanding of basic programming using a graphical programming language
• Ability to discuss, analyse and interpret the results, both in writing and verbally
• Precision and correct handling of experimental data sets, their plotting and curve-fitting as well as the estimation of uncertainties

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• The understanding of the underlying, physical effects behind the results
• Knowledge of advanced functionality such as real time control and advanced mathematical processing
• Ability to extrapolate and link the observed effects to other, relevant areas of physics

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Clear delivery of an oral conference presentation of a standard expected at scientific conferences and actively participate in related discussions.
• Ability to manipulate extracted data; display in a useful manner and export to file

The course will consist of Laboratory, Conference and Transferable Skills sections. In the Laboratory part students will carry out a selection of experiments based around photonics fundamentals, devices, and methods. These will cover topics like the speed of light, active and passive photonic materials, optical modulation techniques, lasers, fibre and waveguiding systems. Towards the end of the module each student will make a short presentation on one of the experiments.

Teaching and learning methods

During the main lab sessions students will work on their own or in pairs, but will be supervised by demonstrators. It is expected that students engage in discussions with demonstrators and are ready to answer their questions regarding technical and physics related aspects of their experiments.

Laboratory scripts will be made available for guidance.

The initial lab sessions are devoted to general training and short introductory measurement activity to demonstrate the right methodology in carrying out experiments. Dedicated data handling and error analysis sessions are also included.

Assessment strategy

Students prepare for the labs and this prelim preparation is assessed at the beginning of each lab session. Marking and feedback from demonstrators on the experiments carried out will be provided via individual vivas on selected experiments. The marking sessions are scheduled separately and are not during the normal lab hours.

Performance on each experiment will be assessed, including the initial preparation. The mark will take into account answers to any set questions, knowledge of the experiment to be carried out and the understanding of the relevant, background physics as well as data presentation and analysis. Both written and verbal contributions are expected. A blank marksheet and the marking criteria are included in the course materials. This system will apply to a selection of the standard experiments carried out through the semester except for the first marks that come from the initial hands-on activity and data handling assignments.

For the Conference, the talks will be assessed by a team of markers, consisting of demonstrators and academics. The presentations will be marked for their scientific content, delivery, and the answers to the questions from the audience (fellow students) and the markers.

Both parts, lab and conference, are compulsory.

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 Information

Repeat type: Internal