Unit information: Advanced Optoelectronic Devices in 2023/24

Unit name	Advanced Optoelectronic Devices
Unit code	EENGM6000
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2C (weeks 13 - 18)
Unit director	Professor. Cryan
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	Optoelectronic Devices and Systems EENG30004 or EENGM6021
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department	School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Unit Information

Passive Components

This part of the unit describes in detail the key passive components in modern optical communication systems. It covers both fibre-based and photonic integrated circuit components. Electromagnetic analysis is used to gain an understanding of component operation

Optoelectronics and non-linear optics

This part of the module introduces the main techniques applicable to optoelectronic systems for the generation, detection, amplification and modulation of optical signals.

Elements:

Passive Components Dr M. J. Cryan

• Electromagnetic analysis of optical fibres, slab, ridge, deep-etched waveguides, co- and contra-directional couplers
• Filters, thin film devices, Fibre Bragg Gratings, planar waveguide devices
• More complex components which are used in Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) systems, such as AWGs and Optical Add-Drop Multiplexers
• Future developments in these technologies will be reviewed and concepts such as Photonic Crystal-based devices will be introduced.

Active (optoelectronic) components Dr Krishna Balram

• The basic SNR properties of linear avalanche diodes and noise equivalent power
• Extension of avalanche diodes to Geiger mode photon counting
• Applications of photon counting detectors (lifetime measurement, quantum cryptography)
• CCD camera operation and performance
• CMOS camera operation and performance
• Free space optical communication systems
• Non-linear optics
• Three wave interactions, phase matching frequency doubling
• Four wave mixing, intensity dependent refractive index and the all optical switch, solitons self focussing
• Vertical cavity semiconductor lasers; principles of operation, advantages

Your learning on this unit

1. Describe the key passive building blocks in modern optical communications systems
2. Describe the electromagnetic analysis of components such as optical fibres, planar waveguides and couplers
3. Describe more complex components which are used in Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) systems, such as Optical Add-Drop Multiplexers
4. Explain how Photonic Crystal and plasmonic based devices can be used within modern communications systems
5. Explain the operation of avalanche detectors, photon counting detectors, modern camera systems
6. Describe three wave and four wave non-linear optics, free space optical communications and vertical cavity laser systems

How you will learn

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.

How you will be assessed

Exam (Summer, 80%) and coursework (20%)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EENGM6000).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.