Objectives and competences
Students obtain an advanced knowledge from the field of wave optics, light emission, the use and work of lasers, propagation of light through anisotropic materials and transfer of information with the use of optical fibres. They are capable of using the knowledge for solving problems with the use of mathematical methods.
Content (Syllabus outline)
Light as rays or waves or photons; quantization of EM field, cavity radiation.
Polarization: linear, circular, elliptic, Jones calculus, diffraction and refraction on a plane surface, Brewster angle, total reflection, evanescent field.
Interference: Fabry – Perot interferometer, reflection and transmission of multilayer films, dielectric mirrors.
Spatial and temporal coherence, autocorrelation function. Shape and width of spectral lines: natural width, homogeneous and nonhomogeneous broadening; correlation between the spectral width and coherence length.
Lasers: optical resonators, stimulated emission, optical pumping, gain, threshold, Gaussian beams, transformation of Gaussian beams with lenses, types of lasers, comparison of lasers and incoherent light sources, lasers in technology.
Optical fibres: guided waves, single mode and multimode fibres, losses, dispersion, ray analysis, wave picture.
Optically anisotropic materials: light propagation in optically uniaxial crystals, modulation of light, retarder plates, optical activity, Faraday and Kerr effect.
Learning and teaching methods
• lectures
• theoretical exercises
• tutorial work
• explanation
• discussion
• demonstration
• work with text
• work with graphic elements
• use of simulations
• use of simulation software
Teaching and learning are done through the didactic use of ICT.
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
On completion of this course students will be able to:
- define cases in which light can be considered as rays, electromagnetic wave or a stream of photons;
- use Maxwell’s equations to study reflection and refraction of light on a plane boundary of two non-absorptive dielectrics, on a thin film and multiple stacks of thin layers, and to describe light propagation through isotropic and anisotropic dielectrics;
- predict the effect of some optical elements on the properties of the transmitted light as a function of properties of the incident light and physical parameters of optical elements;
- connect the shape and width of spectral lines with the longitudinal coherence of light and the size of a source with the transverse coherence;
- define crucial properties of lasers and analyse propagation of laser light through variable optical elements and optical fibres.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
On completion of this course students will be able to:
- use mathematical methods of linear algebra, real and complex analysis in one and more dimensions and analysis of nonlinear differential equations to solve real problems;
- reduce different complex optical phenomena to basic laws of optics;
- use modern ICT software to quantitatively study complex physical problems.
Readings
1. F. G. Smith, T. A King, Optics and Photonics, An introduction (Wiley, Chichester, 2000).
2. D. Meschede, Optics, Light and Lasers (Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2004).
3. G. Brooker, Modern Classical Optics (Oxford University Press, New York, 2002)
4. D. Đonlagić, M. Završnik, D. Đonlagić, Fotonika: uvodna poglavja (Fakulteta za elektrotehniko, računalništvo in informatiko, Maribor, 1997).
5. M. Čopič, M. Vilfan, Fotonika (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani, Ljubljana, 2020).
6. I. Drevenšek Olenik, M. Vilfan, Optika (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani, Ljubljana, 2023).
5. katerakoli knjiga s področja moderne optike, laserjev, optoelektronike ali fotonike / any book from the field of modern optics, lasers, optoelectronics and photonics
Additional information on implementation and assessment 7 oral tests (theoretical exercises) 40 %
oral exam (can be replaced by 3 oral tests) 30 %
Written exam (can be replaced by 3 written tests) 30 %
For passing the course, all the theoretical exercises must be solved and the grade in every type of assessment must be positive.
A passing grade of the oral tests from theoretical exercises is a prerequisite to access the oral and written exam.
