ECE 495

• Microelectronics and Photonics

• Laser fundamentals (experiments), focussing on longitudinal modes, saturation, short pulse generation, laser threshold, photodetectors, and pumping methods
• Laser projects and laser system experiments

Topics:

1) Introduction to photonics

2) Emission & absorption)

3) Optical gain

4) Laser saturation & threshold

5) Optical resonators (modes and Gaussian beams)

6) Fabry-Perot interferometera

7) Photodetectors

8) Light emitting diodes

9) Edge emitting semiconductor lasers

10) Microcavity lasers (VCSELs)

11) Gain/resonance spectral alignment

12) Optical Fibers

13) Optical fiber amplifiers and lasers

14) Silicon photonics and components

15) Si-photonics

16) Free space optical interconnects

Lab 1) He-Ne Laser

Lab 2) HeNe Emission & Beams

Lab 3) Photodetectors

Lab 4) Light Emitting Diodes

Lab 5) Edge Emitting Lasers

Lab 6) VCSELs

Lab 7) Microcavity Lasers (MNTL)

Lab 8) Fiber Lasers

Lab 9) Silicon Photonics

Lab 10) Free Space Interconnect

Optical spectrum analyzers, power supplies, oscilloscopes, semiconductor parametric analyzers, Fabry-Perot interferometers

ECE304 recommended.

Class notes.

Engineering Science: 2 credits or 67%
Engineering Design: 1 credit or 33%

To introduce advanced undergraduates and graduate students to active photonic devices and applications. To provide “hands-on” experience with several classes of lasers (HeNe laser, semiconductor edge emitting lasers, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, and fiber lasers), photodetectors, and photonic systems, as well as to introduce to experimental optical characterization techniques and equipment. For several semesters, a lab on Si-photonics has been conducted, where designs are submitted to a photonics foundry, and characterization data will be provided for analysis.

By the end of the course, students will be able to do the following:

1. Align a discharge-pumped HeNe laser and optimize the output power. (2, 3, 5, 6)

2. Recognize below and above threshold characteristics of a laser under continuous wave (CW) and pulsed operation. (1, 5, 6)

3. Measure the beam waist and determine the divergence of a laser beam. (1, 5, 6)

4. Calculate the small signal gain and saturation intensity for the He-Ne laser and verify the latter in the laboratory. (1, 6)

5. Measure the spectral separation of longitudinal and/or transverse optical modes of various types of lasers. (1, 5, 6)

6. Using the excited state lifetime, emission wavelength, transition linewidth, and population inversion, estimate the pumping time required to reach threshold. (1, 5, 6)

7. Measure the emission profile and electrical properties of a light emitting diode. (1, 5, 6)

8. Measure the differential slope efficiency and wall plug efficiency of a laser. (1, 5, 6)

9. Measure on-wafer characteristics of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers. (1, 5, 6)

10. Determine the influence of micro-cavity effects on semiconductor laser output. (1, 5, 6)

11. Use a variety of photodetectors and characterize their device parameters. (1, 5, 6)

12. Measure emission and gain spectrum of an optical fiber amplifier and laser. (1, 5, 6)

13. Use an optical spectrum analyzer, interferometer, and optical power meter. (1, 5, 6)

14. Analyze an optical communication data link and characterize. (1, 2, 3, 5, 6)

15. Final project and project presentation. (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7)