ECE 572

• Microelectronics and Photonics

Theoretical introduction to quantum mechanics, quantum optics, and microcavity lasers, with many applications in photonics and laser theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 485 or equivalent introduction to quantum mechanics is recommended.

Lectures and discussions on quantum optoelectronics, quantum mechanics, second quantization, density-matrix theory, and generation of coherent electromagnetic radiation, and confinement within photonic micro- and nano-cavities. Included is the study of the interaction of radiation with atomic systems: density-matrix theory, spontaneous and induced transitions, gain coefficient, quantum theory of Einstein A and B coefficients, homogenous and inhomogenous broadening. We also review coherent interactions of a radiation field and an atomic system: two-level atom with quantized field, electromagnetically induced transparency, lasing without inversion. Applications to laser oscillators: general laser theory, rate equations, threshold condition, lasing inversion, and semiconductor gain. Specific laser systems will included atomic, semiconductor lasers, microcavity lasers, and nanocavity lasers. Finally, nanophotonic effects such as Fabry-Perot cavities, Purcell effect, vertical cavity lasers, photonic crystal nanocavities will also be discussed.

Principles of Quantum Mechanics (Schrodinger picture, harmonic oscillator, operators as matrices, density matrix, Heisenberg & Interaction pictures, parity-time symmetry photonics)

Semiclassical Interaction of Radiation and Matter (Dipole interaction Hamiltonian, 2-level system: probability amplitude, 3-level system: coherent trapping, Dipole interaction using density matrix, susceptibility from density matrix)

Quantization of Radiation Field (Harmonic oscillator formulism, representations of field operators, squeezed light, entanglement)

Fully Quantized Interaction of Radiation and Matter (Dipole interaction of radiation with electron, spontaneous & stimulated transitions, quantized interaction using operator method)

Midterm Exam

Optical Microcavities and Gain (Bulk semiconductor optical gain via density matrix, nanostructure optical gain, Heisenberg picture of semiconductor gain)

Fabry-Perot Microcaviy Lasers (Fabry-Perot cavity, VCSELs, distributed Bragg reflectors, cavity resonance/gain bandwidth alignment (spatial and spectral), transverse optical phenomena)

Cavity Quantum Electro-Dynamics (Weak cavity coupling, strong cavity coupling, exciton-photon strong coupling, photon statistics)

Optical Nanocavity Lasers (Whispering gallery cavities, photonic crystals and cavities, metallic and plasmonic cavities)

Lectures and discussions on quantum optoelectronics, quantum mechanics, second quantization, density-matrix theory, and generation of coherent electromagnetic radiation, and confinement within photonic micro- and nano-cavities. In addition a term paper will be researched and should be a written review of a quantum optoelectronic or quantum optic topic, using at least three journal or technical book references. You cannot cover the topic of your thesis research, nor can you cover a topic included in the course lectures. Your term paper topic must involve the interaction of light with matter and must describe a quantum mechanical phenomenon with a discussion of its physical interpretation. Please include in your paper a mathematical derivation with equations of a quantum mechanical result with enough detail and explanation that the reader (me!) can understand your analysis.

Some homework requires numercial calculations.

Multiple homework report (about every two weeks) and one term paper.