ECE 355 OPTICAL ELECTRONICS FALL 2003 Instructor Prof Mark J Kushner 136 Everitt Lab Phone 244 5137 e mail mjk uiuc edu Office hours Any time M F 0800 1700 Formal hours MW 1400 1600 Teaching Assistant Ran Hu ranhu uiuc edu Office Hours to be arranged Course Description and Goals During Optical Electronics we will discuss the physics and technology of laser systems Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation To produce a laser one requires a media having an inversion and an optical cavity which provides feedback In this class we will study how electromagnetic radiation interacts with matter how optical cavities operate how inversions are produced and how all of these components combine to make a laser With this background we will study specific laser systems such as HeNe and semiconductor lasers Course Outline 1 Introduction to lasers 2 Review of electromagnetic theory 3 Rays and spherical waves the lens wave guide focused Fabry Perot cavity lens like media stability diagram 4 Optical beams propagation of Gaussian beams higher order modes guided waves 5 Optical resonators for gas and solid state lasers for junction lasers 6 Gain in active media semi classical theory threshold conditions saturation behavior Q switching mode locking 7 Characteristics of specific lasers solid state Nd YAG atomic He Ne and Ar molecular CO2 excimer KrF 8 Nonlinear Processes 9 Semiconductor lasers inversion heterostructures quantum size effects VCSELs Required Text J T Verdeyen Laser Electronics 3rd Edition Optional Text W Silfvast Laser Fundamentals Class Web site http uigelz ece uiuc edu classes ece355 html 1 Assignments and Exams 1 On average there will be 1 homework assignment a week which will usually be due the following week On occasion there may be a short problem or two assigned due the following class 2 Homework solutions will be available in 136 Everitt Lab or in class usually a few days after the assignment is due Late homework is accepted at the discretion of the grader but not after solutions are available The following are best practices for homework a b c d e Start each problem on a separate sheet of paper Indicate units at all steps of your solutions Explain your thought process by discussing your results Neatness is a virtue Always use a plotting program for graphs Do not hand draw Label axes with proper units 3 There will be 3 quizzes hour exams If you will miss an exam you must notify the instructor by phone or e mail no later than the time of the exam Those persons missing exams without prior notification may make up the exam at the discretion of the instructor 6 Exams will be either open or closed book For closed book exams you may prepare 2 sheets of notes front and back Bring a calculator 7 A final project will substitute for the Final Exam Grading Policy Homework 25 Exams 3 17 51 Final Project or Final 20 Instructor s Discretion 4 100 1 As this course is 1 unit for graduate students and 3 hours for undergraduates graduate students must do something extra for the additional 1 4 unit Graduate students will be required to orally present the results of their projects in class like a conference presentation 2 Grades will be assigned on a curved basis Note University policy does not allow a different curve for undergraduates and graduates The instructor will consider such extenuating circumstances and differences between undergraduates and graduate preparation for the course through the Instructor s Discretion portion of the grade Question Answer Session There will be an informal ask the instructor session on Sundays in 136 Everitt Lab at 3 00 PM This is an optional time to meet as a small group with the instructor to talk about concepts or to get some tutorial or specialized material Alternate Meeting Times Due to unavoidable travel on the part of the instructor there may be class sessions which will be missed The class syllabus has a few Friday sessions scheduled as makeup lectures in case we fall behind due to travel Lecture notes will be provided to those students who cannot attend the alternate meeting time 2