OPTI 429/529

Integrated Optics for Information Technology (3 units). This course provides a fundamental understanding of the concept, fabrication, operation and performance of key integrated optic and photonic components that are widely used in optical communication and information technology. Undergraduate seniors completing this course will have a broad understanding of integrated optical components, which will prepare them after graduation.

Undergraduate Prerequisites: OPTI 240 & OPTI 370
Graduate Prerequisite: OPTI 507

Instructor: Mahmoud Fallahi

Course Outline:

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  • Introduction to Fiber Optic Communication:
         
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  • Elements of Integrated optics:
        — Slab, channel waveguides
        — Y-junction
        — Directional coupler
        — Fabry-Perot etalon
        — Waveguide grating
        — Wavelength filters and switches
         
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  • First Exam
         
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  • Active semiconductor components: Diode Lasers, Detectors
        — Semiconductor lasers: heterojunction, quantum wells
        — Various types of diode lasers, DFB, DBR, VCSEL, tunable lasers
        — Optical amplifiers: EDFA, Semiconductor
        — Modulators: Electroabsorption, electrooptic, Mach-Zehnder
        — Integration challenges
         
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  • Micro/Nanofabrication of optical components
        — Epitaxial growth
        — Lithography
        — Etching
        — Metallization
        — Passivation and packaging
         
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  • Second / Final Exam
         
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  • Final Project Report

    Grading
    Attendance: 10%
    Exam 1: 30%
    Exam 2: 30%
    Final Project: 30%

    Textbook: TBD