PHY564C - Optoelectronics
Optoelectronics is an emerging discipline located at the confluence of electromagnetic, electronic and optical properties of matter. It has significant repercussions in the fields of energy, telecommunications, IT, professional electronics (Defense, Security, environment, health, etc.).
Implementing very sophisticated concepts (quantum optics, solid quantum physics, wave physics, etc.), it nevertheless has an immediate applicative character. Clearly, this concrete - even industrial - implementation of very abstract concepts is one of the most striking elements of this teaching.
Finally, the course emphasizes the universal character of the concepts that are implemented and that can be found in all fields of engineering and physics: phase matching, group velocity, coupled mode equations...
It is recommended to also attend PHY567 - Physics of Semiconductors.
The first three lectures are devoted to electromagnetism tools specific to optoelectronics:
- propagation in a dispersive medium (Lorenz model for the optical index, parabolic equation)
- waveguide and Bragg mirrors. An important place is devoted to conceptual analogies between waveguides and quantum wells on the one hand, Bragg mirrors and band gap in semiconductors on the other hand.
- plasmonics, and subwavelength physics
The next two lectures deal with the physics of laser oscillators: population inversion, corpuscular equations, transparency and oscillation threshold, mode-locking mechanisms (active and passive) at the origin of ultrashort pulse lasers and very high peak powers… The lecture then describes optical parametric oscillators from a classical and then quantum point of view, as well as the most recent developments (periodically poled materials, etc.).
The course ends with a deepening of the physics of the laser diode, highlighting the interest of the concept of photons (corpuscular equation of the laser). Then, quantum photodetectors are widely discussed, emphasizing their gigantic industrial benefits (CCD cameras, cell phones, Internet, etc.).
Course given in French or English, depending on the auditors
- Teaching coordinator: Haidar Riad