Module overview
An optical waveguide is the fundamental building block in photonics and in-depth knowledge of waveguides as a light guiding medium is vital for understanding a number of photonic devices, circuits and systems. This module will introduce the fundamentals of optical waveguides and optical fibres and present a detailed description of light propagation within them. Lumerical software package will be used to simulate different waveguide geometries and analyse modal behaviour and losses. Finally, nonlinear phenomena and their application in planar waveguides and optical fibres will be briefly introduced.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Describe the guidance mechanisms in optical fibre and planar waveguides
- Understand key features of light propagation affected by chromatic dispersion and optical nonlinearity
- Design optical waveguides for specific applications
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Design of planar waveguides
- Nonlinear light propagation
- Basic concepts governing optical fibres
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Use a variety of information sources (lectures, web, journals) and software tools to understand & solve problems
Syllabus
Light propagation through optical waveguides
Maxwell’s equations
Wave equation
Optical fibres:
- Overview of optical fibre technologies
- Dispersion relations applied to different geometries
- Optical fields in solid-core optical fibres (guided modes, single and multi-mode guidance, losses)
- Signal guiding in ‘holey’ fibres
Planar dielectric waveguides:
- Loss mechanisms, propagation and insertion loss
- Waveguide design (using the Lumerical software package)
- Waveguide characterisation
Introduction to nonlinear optics in waveguides and fibres:
- Nonlinear susceptibility and phase matching
- Nonlinear wave equation
- Nonlinear interactions (SHG, SPM, XPM and FWM)
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching will consist of lectures, tutorials, computer workshops and feedback sessions. The lecturers will use electronic voting systems for in-class testing and peer instruction learning. Students will learn basics of photonic modelling software packages.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Completion of assessment task | 12 |
| Lecture | 26 |
| Revision | 36 |
| Follow-up work | 18 |
| Wider reading or practice | 30 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 18 |
| Tutorial | 10 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 30% |
| Final Assessment | 70% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |