Photonics and Fibre Optics

Aims and objectives

This unit aims to give students a broad outline of basic photonics principles and fibre optics applications, especially in the areas of communications and sensing. It is assumed that students already have an understanding of the basic principles of physics.

After completing this unit, students should have a basic understanding of:

• Models of light
• The history of fibre optics
• Fibre optics operating principles and manufacture
• Light sources and detectors
• Light modulation
• Transmitters and receivers
• Fibre optic components
• Fibre optic telecommunication systems
• Fibre optic sensors and imaging 

After successfully completing this unit, students should be able to:

• Solve photonics problems by applying fundamental principles of science and engineering (including mathematics, optics and electronics)
• Work in a team in a diverse, multi-disciplinary tutorial environment to solve numeric photonics problems
• Apply knowledge of photonics-related principles, and develop hands-on skills using photonics and electronics equipment, to successfully complete a series of laboratory-based exercises
• Analyse experimental data and synthesise with photonics-based knowledge to communicate ideas in the form of a technical report
• Use a photonics-related computer program to simulate various fibre optic systems and then interpret results in terms of photonics principles and ideas
• Utilise references (books and www) to extend your understanding of photonics-related ideas and topics beyond what is covered in lectures
• Discuss photonics-related ideas and topics with your peers
• Critically evaluate the photonics-related thoughts and ideas of other students
• Develop a good understanding of photonics principles and their relationship to science and engineering disciplines
• Develop an appreciation of the evolution and history of optics and photonics

Teaching methods

Assessment

Generic skills outcomes

• Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
• Ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large
• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
• Understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the professional engineer, and the need for sustainable development

Content

Overview and historical introduction; models of light used in Photonics. Optical fibre basics (including fibre modes and transmission speeds, numerical aperture, transmission and attenuation, bandwidth and dispersion). Optical fibre manufacture (including production methods, fibre types and cabling). Incoherent light sources (including wideband and line sources, electroluminescence). Lasers light sources (including lasing mechanism, laser resonant cavities, mode structure, laser types). Light detectors (including thermal & quantum detectors); detector circuits; modulation of light; fibre optics transmitters & receivers. Simple fibre optic sensors & imaging. Simple FO sensors for measurement of temperature, pressure, position; and interferometric fibre optic sensors, including the Fibre optic gyroscope and Bragg grating sensors.