PHOTONICS AND OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICES
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: MARIA JOSE' IRENE LO FAROExpected Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge of the principles of light-matter interaction, lasers, optical waveguides and fibers, semiconductor optoelectronic devices, and photonic structures.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Ability to apply the acquired principles to the analysis of photonic and optoelectronic systems and devices and to the interpretation of optical characterization measurements.
Making judgements
Ability to critically analyze physical phenomena and experimental results.
Communication skills
Ability to describe and discuss the course topics using appropriate scientific terminology.
Learning skills
Ability to independently study topics in photonics and optoelectronics using textbooks and scientific literature.
Course Structure
The course consists of 35 hours of direct instruction and 15 hours of interactive laboratory sessions. Lectures cover theoretical fundamentals, while laboratory activities focus on applying them through optical characterization techniques and analyzing experimental results. The professor will provide supplementary teaching materials.
If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Absorption, spontaneous emission, and stimulated emission. Einstein coefficients. Optical gain and saturation. Three- and four-level systems. Principles of laser operation. Fabry-Perot cavities, optical modes, and oscillation conditions. Examples of atomic and solid-state lasers.
Optical waveguides and fibers
Principles of light propagation and confinement. Planar dielectric waveguides. Optical coupling, interferometers, and modulators. Optical fibers: propagation, attenuation, and dispersion. Introduction to optical fiber amplification.
Semiconductor optoelectronic devices
Optical properties of semiconductors and optical gain. Semiconductor lasers and heterostructure lasers. Principles of LED operation. Quantum efficiency and extraction efficiency.
Advanced photonic structures and materials
Principles of light propagation in periodic structures. Photonic crystals, photonic band gaps, and nanocavities. Purcell effect. Introduction to metamaterials and disordered photonic structures. Introduction to optoelectronic nanostructures and major photonic applications.
Laboratory activities and optical characterization
Principles of Raman spectroscopy and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). Photoluminescence and lifetime measurements. Optical characterization of photonic materials and devices.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE COURSE TO THE GOALS OF THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Target 9.5. The course addresses photonic and optoelectronic technologies of high scientific and technological relevance. Lectures and laboratory activities.
Textbook Information
- B. E. A. Saleh and M. C. Teich, Fundamentals of Photonics, Wiley.
- L. Novotny and B. Hecht, Principles of Nano-Optics, Cambridge University Press.
Additional teaching material will be provided by the lecturer.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Light-matter interaction and laser principles | 1,2 |
| 2 | Optical waveguides and fibers | 1 |
| 3 | Semiconductor optoelectronic devices | 1,2 |
| 4 | Advanced photonic structures and materials | 1,2 |
| 5 | Lab activities | Professor's notes |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Assessment will be based on the relevance of the answers, knowledge of the subject matter, the ability to make connections between concepts, the appropriate use of scientific terminology, and clarity of exposition.
To ensure equal opportunities and compliance with current regulations, interested students may request a personal meeting to arrange any compensatory measures and/or accommodations, in accordance with the procedures established by the University and CInAP, prof. Catia Petta.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
- Describe the operating principle of a laser.
- Describe dispersion in optical fibers.
- Describe the operating principle of a semiconductor laser.
- Describe the operating principle of an LED.
- Describe the concept of photonic band gap.