Optoelectronics

Aim

The overall aim of this course is to give fundamental knowledge of optoelectronic devices and fiber optics in order to be able to understand present and future technologies for applications in optical communications, sensor/imaging techniques, as well as energy conversion that has found renewed interest recently due to world-wide demands of energy saving and new energy production. After completing this course, students are expected to do the following:

• Know various physical processes of optoelectronic transitions, and be able to employ basic relations between material optical properties and devices in optoelectronics.
• Define the principles of functioning of most important optoelectronic devices.
• Explain and implement the equations, which determine main characteristics of optoelectronic devices and optical fibers.
• Apply the knowledge of different optoelectronic components to solve problems mainly in the physics and technical areas.
• Analyze operational modes of photonic devices, in order to select suitable type for given applications.
• Understand the interconnections between device design, mode of operation and characteristics, and the overall efficiency of optoelectronic devices and signal transmission.
• Calculate parameters and design simple systems for optical communication or energy conversion

Content

• Physics fundamentals Electromagnetic wave physics, optics, Maxwell and Fresenel equations Quantum mechanical physics, semiconductors, Einstein relations
• Electron–photon processes Carrier radiative recombination and light-emitting-devices (LED) Stimulated processes, lasing mechanism, and modes Semiconductor laser
• Photon–electron processes Photoconductivity and detectors Imaging sensors Photovoltaic effect and solar cells
• Photon–photon processes and integration Electromagnetic wave propagation, waveguide, and fiber optics Light polarization and modulation Optical systems for communication Photonic lattice and other low-dimensional materials for optoelectronic applications
• Complement technologies and future outlook Organic and molecular optoelectronics Terahertz photonics Display technology Impact from nanotechnology - new think, materials, and other perspectives