ECE 4370 - Photonics: Fundamentals and Devices

Spring. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: ECE 3030. Culminating design experience (CDE) course.

K. Mehta.

Introduction to optical waveguides and photonic devices. Review of optical wave propagation in uniform media and at interfaces. Gaussian beams and diffraction. Modes, dispersion, and fundamental relations/symmetries. Interferometers and resonators. Guided waves in optical fibers and planar dielectric systems. Perturbation theory, coupling of modes, adiabatic variation, and parallels to quantum phenomena. Electro- and acousto-optics. Survey of system applications, including photonic interconnects and quantum technologies. Numerical methods, and project design of planar optical components.

Outcome 1: Students will be able to understand optical wave propagation in structured media

Outcome 2: Students will be able to understand modes, modal coupling, and application in photonic devices.

Outcome 3: Students will be able to understand active electro- and acousto-optic devices and their applications.

Outcome 4: Students will be able to analyze, simulate, and design planar photonic components.