4 ECTS credits
120 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4023543ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
The aim of this course is to teach the student the basic concepts of laboratory work in photonics. The student will acquire the expertise and insight needed to operate laboratory and demonstrator setups. These include the elementary skills, which will allow the student to work with optical elements and optical systems and give him insight in the relevant optics theory. Both free space optical systems (interferometry, characterization of laser beams, 4f processor) and fiber-based and integrated optical systems (laser diodes, waveguides) are studied. The student also comes in contact with typical measurement software such as LabView. The basic experiments will be divided over 6 modules in which the core measurement techniques are covered. The lab exercises illustrate in an integrated manner basic knowledge gained through the courses photonics, lasers, microphotonics and optical materials. Alignment of a HeNe laser, characterization of different types of sources (lasers, LEDs, white light sources), study the polarization behavior of light, characterization of optical components (mirrors, filters, lenses, prisms, gratings, beam splitters), study of different types of materials and coatings, coupling light into fibers and study fiber characteristics, characterization of waveguides, spatial filtering and building a 4f processor, control different instruments by LabView software, applications of light sources (lasers in interferometry, white light sources in spectroscopy).
Co-lecturers UGent: Prof. Nicolas Le Thomas, Prof. Peter Bienstman
1 Basic measurement techniques for photonic applications.
2 Having insight in diverse optical phenomena.
3 Interpret measurement results.
4 Present scientific results in paper.
5 Build, explain and describe a scientific experiment in group.
6 Use advanced software for conducting lab experiments.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Calculation of the examination mark
- Answering to questions which are asked during the lab (20%-individual): Students are asked to have prepared the exercises before the start of every lab session. This is checked during the duration of the laboratory by interrogating the students. The quality of their responses are part of their final score on this course.
- Attitude in the lab + progress made (20%-individual)
- Content of the laboratory logbook (20%-group): During the lab students are asked to keep a scientific logbook (one per group) on their practical experiments. They also receive a quotation on the quality of the logbook.
- Oral presentation of scientific work + answers to questions (20%-individual): At the end of this laboratory course each group of students has to present during 20 minutes their results on one of the practical lab modules. After the presentation the students’ knowledge about the different laboratories is tested on an individual basis and orally.
- Writing a research paper of one of the laboratories (20%-individual)
Examination during the second examination period is possible in modified form.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Photonics Engineering: Online/Digital traject