Description

We are living in the age of quantum optoelectronics: optical-signal processing, high-power laser sources, optical amplifiers, single-photon manipulation, quantum confined-electron devices, etc.. This module will emphasize how our understanding of light and matter may be used to provide assorted optoelectronic devices, and also how they in turn may enhance our understanding of light and matter.

Module Aims

This module pre-dates the current template; refer to the description above and the following ILO sections.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

A student who has passed this module should be able to:

• Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  1. describe atomically precise crystal growth techniques, and their application to grow quantum well devices;
  2. describe various surface/thin film analysis, optical and electrical characterisation techniques;
  3. show diagrammatically the components of scanning/transmission electron microscopes and explain their operation;
  4. explain how various different types of lasers work;
• Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  5. select the appropriate surface science analysis technique in order to to accomplish a specified task;
  6. use diagrams to illustrate the construction and operation of technical devices.
• Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
  7. discuss, orally and in writing, technical information learnt from directed reading of journal articles

Syllabus Plan

1. Introduction
   Brief historical survey
2. Designing and Building New Materials
   1. Molecular-beam epitaxy - Layout of an MBE reactor, Atomic-monolayer growth conditions
   2. Band-gap engineering
3. Materials Characterization
   1. Characterization techniques
      1. Reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED)
      2. Photoelectron spectroscopy
      3. Auger electron spectroscopy
      4. Secondary-ion mass spectrometry
      5. Optical spectroscopy
      6. Electrical characterization
   2. Electron microscopy
      1. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
      2. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
   3. Scanning probe microscopy
      1. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM)
      2. Atomic-force microscopy (AFM)
      3. Near-field scanning optical microscopy
4. Lasers and Amplifiers
   1. Absorption, spontaneous and stimulated emission, Einstein coefficients
   2. Three- and four-level systems
   3. Amplification and lasing - population inversion, optical gain and feedback
   4. Cavities and cavity modes
   5. Continuous wave and pulsed operation
   6. Gas lasers
   7. Liquid lasers
   8. Solid lasers: PN junctions as LEDs and lasers; Double-heterojunction and quantum-well lasers; Blue-green semiconductor lasers
   9. Applications of lasers: nuclear fusion, data transmission, data storage, sensing

Learning and Teaching

Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Assessment

Resources

The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that students are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Instructor(s).

Core text:

• Not applicable

Supplementary texts:

• Svelto O. (1998), Principles of Lasers (4^th edition), Plenum Press, ISBN 0-306-45748-2 (UL: 535.58 SVE/X)
• Wilson J. and Hawkes J.F.B. (1998), Optoelectronics: An Introduction (3^rd edition), Prentice-Hall, ISBN 0-131-03961-X (UL: 621.36 WIL)
• Jaros M. (1989), Physics and Applications of Semiconductor Microstructures, Clarendon, ISBN 0-198-53927-4 (UL: 537.622 JAR)

ELE:

• http://newton.ex.ac.uk/redirects/ELE/phy2031

Further Information

Prior Knowledge Requirements

Re-assessment

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

Notes: See Physics Assessment Conventions.

KIS Data Summary

Miscellaneous