EE3-12 Optoelectronics
Lecturer(s): Prof Richard SymsAims:
The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to a wide variety of modern optoelectronic devices, particularly those used in optical communications systems. As these devices are primarily semiconductor-based guided-wave optical components, the two main theoretical elements of the course are electromagnetic theory and rate equation modelling.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course, students should be familiar with the following:
- Electromagnetic fields and plane waves. Maxwell's equations; Derivation of the wave equation; Plane waves; Power flow
- Reflection and refraction at an interface. Boundary matching; The dielectric interface problem; Reflection coefficients.
- The slab waveguide. Metal walled and dielectric guides; Basic properties of guided and radiation modes.
- Channel waveguide integrated optics. Channel guides; Y-junctions, Phase modulators.
- Optoelectronic interactions in semiconductors. Basic properties of semiconductors; Materials for optoelectronics; Rate equations
- Optoelectronic devices. P-N junction diodes; Heterojunctions; Photodiodes; LEDS; semiconductor lasers
Syllabus:
Maxwell's equations; the wave equation for electromagnetic waves; evanescent waves; power flow. Waveguide structures: boundary matching, slab dielectric waveguide; guided and radiation modes; cut-off conditions; free carrier contribution to the dielectric constant; waveguides in semiconductors - homostructure and heterostructure guides; epitaxy and lattice matching; channel waveguides. Channel waveguide devices; power splitters; filters. Diode-based waveguide structures: homojunctions and heterojunctions; carrier injection phase modulators; electro-optic phase modulators; switches and intensity modulators. Photodetectors: absorption of light by semiconductors; quantum efficiency; photoconductive detectors; p-i-n photodiodes; heterojunction photodiodes. LEDs: spontaneous and stimulated emission; electroluminescence in p-n junctions; simple LED structures; emission spectrum of LED; DC efficiency and frequency response of LED; ELEDs. Semiconductor lasers: conditions for laser oscillation; inversion and optical gain; emission spectrum of laser; the double heterostructure; threshold condition and power-current characteristics.
Assessment:
100% on 3-hour exam in early Spring term
Coursework contribution: 0%
Term: Autumn
Closed or Open Book (end of year exam): Closed
Coursework Requirement
To be announced
Oral Exam Required (as final assessment): N/A
Prerequisite: None required
Course Homepage: unavailable
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