ECE 456

Optoelectronics

Spring

Required Course:

Course Level

Undergraduate

Units

Prerequisite(s)

ECE 352 and ECE 381

Course Texts

Intructor will provide course notes.

Schedule

150 minutes lecture per week

Course Description

Properties and applications of optoelectronic devices and systems. Topics include electromagnetics, radiometry, polarization, propagation, laser design, and electro-optical components.

May be convened with ECE 556.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

Understand the electromagnetic spectrum, wave equation and wave propagation in linear isotropic media and in anisotropic media.
Understand basic radiometric quantities and perform analyses of basic radiometric designs
USe matrix methods to model and interpret image formation and beam propagation (both plane wave and Gaussian beam) in an optical system
Understand the function and design of an optical resonator
Calculate resonator mode characteristics and determine mode stability in an optical resonator
Understand cavity Q, constructive and destructive interference
Interpret resonator output spectra, including calculating and interpreting cavity finesse, resolution, mode spacing, etc.
Understand the design and function of a Fabry-Perot etalon optical spectrum analyzer
Design an optical resonator (mirror curvature, size, separation, Gaussian beam characteristics in resonator) and understand sources of loss
Understand the function and design of laser gain media: gas, liquid, solid-state
Understand energy band diagrams, band gap, excited states, spontaneous emission, stimulated emission, state lifetimes, lineshape broadening: homogeneous and inhomogeneous, Einstein A and B coefficients, rate equations, exponential gain coefficient, population inversion, intensity
Design 3- and 4-level laser gain media based on desired design constraints
Understand the impact of placing the gain medium inside a resonator to produce a laser: laser gain profile, spectrum, threshold, population inversion, critical fluorescence power, stimulated emission power, output power
Understand the function and design of Q switch devices and methods and mode locking devices and methods
Discuss a variety of laser types (descriptions, pros, cons)

Course Topics

Waves

Electromagnetic
Acoustic
Traveling
Standing
Electromagnetic spectrum
Maxwell's equations and the wave equation

Basic terminology

Homogeneous
Linear
Isotropic media

Polarization

Linear
Elliptical
Circular
Jones vectors
Matrices

Basic radiometry

Image Formation

Use of the refraction and translation (transfer) matrices to describe optical systems

Stability

Beam path ray trace through an optical system to determine the stability of the system

Gaussian beam propagation and imaging

Concepts and equations to determine the characteristics of a Gaussian beam
Combine the ABCD matrix method with Gaussian beams to propagate through an optical system

Resonators

Mirrors separated by an air space
Resonator design (spherical mirrors)
Beam waist size and location in the cavity
Confocal resonator properties
General resonator properties
Matrix methods for resonator
Resonator stability
Sources of loss
Output of resonator

Cavity

Cavity modes, mode spacing, constructive and destructive interference Fabry-Perot etalon (optical spectrum analyzer), finesse, resolution

Gain medium

Gas, liquid and solid-state
Energy bands
Band gap
Ground state
Excited states
Impact on resonator output

Lineshape broadening

Homogeneous and inhomogeneous

Lasers

Three- and four-level lasers
Laser gain profile spectrum
Laser types: descriptions, pros and cons
Laser output: spectral, beam characteristics, etc.

Relationship to Student Outcomes

ECE 456 contributes directly to the following specific electrical and computer engineering student outcomes of the ECE department:

Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering (high)
Ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data (medium)
Ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems (high)
Ability to communicate effectively (medium)
Ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice (high)

Syllabus Prepared By

Kelly Potter, 2/29/16