6 ECTS credits
160 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4004713ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
Introduction
Properties of isotropic linear materials (macro- and microscopic)
Properties of anisotropic linear materials (normal surface, indew ellipsoid of Fresnel, low and high frequency modulation techniques in phase, intensity and polarisation, optical activity, dichroism)
Modulating optical porperties of materials: electro-, elasto-, acousto- and magnto-optic effects.
Liquid crystals.
Nonlinear optical materials: 2nd and 3rd order effects, phase matching.
Seminars on advanced topics concerning optical materials and their implementation in devices, prepared by the student. Interactive discussion.
A syllabus for students (in English) is available at the VUB Dienst Uitgaven.
The course contents and the syllabus is the result of a combined effort of the two lecturers in charge of Optical Materials at both universities, i.e. Kristiaan Neyts at the U. Gent and Jan Danckaert at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. From the VUB side, we gladly acknowledge the important input by former lecturer prof.em. Irina Veretennicoff and VUB coworker dr.ir. Philippe Tassin.
Complementary study material: references quoted in the syllabus.
This course is a first introduction to th fascinating field of how electromagnetic waves interact with matter, how this interaction can be understood and exploited in optical devices. We will focus on those optical materials and devices that are not treated elsewhere and will prepare you for several advanced courses in the photonics curriculum.
This course is not intended as a catalog of materials and their properties. We rather have the ambition to achieve two main objectives:
- to give you a clear physical picture of the propagation of (laser) radiation in various optical media and structures and to equip you with the necessary skills to design and analyze much used photonic devices.
- to show you how such devices can manipulate the properties of light such as intensity, phase, polarisation, direction of propagation, frequency, etc. We will also try to show you what progress is on its way in this field.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 80% of the final mark.
PRAC Presentation determines 20% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Presentation category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Oral, closed book, examination (80%):
- one in depth question
- two general culture questions
- exercises (problem solving) with assistance if necessary.
20% of the mark is determined by a seminar given by the student in presence of the entire class on advanced materials and devices.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Electronics and Information Technology Engineering: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Photonics Engineering: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)