MODULE TITLE

Quantum Optics and Photonics

 

CREDIT VALUE

15

MODULE CODE

PHY3065

MODULE CONVENER

Dr T. Philbin

 

 

DURATION

TERM

1

2

3

Number Students Taking Module (anticipated)

14

WEEKS

T2:01-11

 

DESCRIPTION – summary of the module content (100 words)

This module explores how light may be controlled and guided, and how quantum physics may be harnessed in the future to offer new and exciting opportunities in manipulating light. This module will range over basic physics and topical applications. Topics include: waveguides and optical fibre; lasers; amplifiers; nonlinear optics; polarization, optical activity and birefringence, orbital angular momentum; entangled states; cavity QED; novel light sources; photonic crystals, negative index materials.

MODULE AIMS – intentions of the module

This module aims to develop a detailed understanding of the physics that underpins photonics and a familiarity with topics at the forefront of current optics research, such as the production and manipulation of light in special states.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

 On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

  1. describe the fundamental properties of liqht;
  2. describe how sources produce light in special (e.g. coherent and single-photon) states;
  3. explain the operation and applications of a range of photonic devices and systems;
  4. solve problems involving the interaction of light with matter by applying quantum electrodynamics (QED);
  5. explain nonlinear optical response and calculate some of its classical and quantum effects;
  6. explain quantum teleportation and describe its significance for communicating information about quantum states;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

  1. solve mathematical problems;
  2. apply electrodynamics and quantum mechanics to devices, structures and systems;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

  1. develop self-study skills;
  2. solve problems.

SYLLABUS PLAN – summary of the structure and academic content of the module

  1. Quantum mechanics
    Dirac notation, Schroedinger, Heisenberg and interaction pictures. Composite systems and entanglement.
  2. Quantisation of the electromagnetic field
    Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves and their relation to harmonic oscillators. Quantum electromagnetic waves. Fock states. Electromagnetic zero-point energy.
  3. Thermal radiation and fluctuations in photon number
  4. Single-mode quantum light
    Field and quadrature operators.
  5. Single-mode number states
  6. Light-atom interactions
    Electric-dipole approximation. Perturbation theory. Absorption, stimulated and spontaneous emission, Einstein's A and B coefficients.
  7. Single-mode coherent states and their relation to classical light
  8. Beam splitters and single-photon interference
  9. The Mach-Zehnder interferometer
  10. Two-photon interference and the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect
  11. Nonlinear optics
    Non-linear polarization. The slowly-varying-amplitude approximation.
  12. Nonlinear fiber optics
    The nonlinear Schroedinger equation. Optical solitons.
  13. Parametric down-conversion and squeezed states
  14. Quantum teleportation
    The no-cloning theorem. Entangled photon pairs and Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen states. Qubits and quantum gates. Teleportation.

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING

 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities  

22 hours

Guided independent study  

128 hours

Placement/study abroad

0 hours

 

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

 Category 

 Hours of study time 

 Description 

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities

20 hours

20×1-hour lectures

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities

2 hours

2×1-hour problems/revision classes

Guided independent study

30 hours

5×6-hour self-study packages

Guided independent study

16 hours

4×4-hour problem sets

Guided independent study

82 hours

Reading, private study and revision

 

ASSESSMENT

 

 FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of Assessment

Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length

ILOs assessed

Feedback method

Guided self-study

5×6-hour packages

1-8

Discussion in class

4 × Problems sets

4 hours per set

1-8

Solutions discussed in problems classes.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework

0%

Written exams

100%

Practical exams

0%

 

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment

 

% of credit

Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length

 ILOs assessed 

Feedback method

Final Examination

100%

2 hours 30 minutes

1-8

Mark via MyExeter, collective feedback via ELE and solutions.

 DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment

 Form of re-assessment 

ILOs re-assessed

Time scale for re-assessment

Whole module

Written examination (100%)

1-8

August/September assessment period

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES  

See Physics Assessment Conventions.

 

RESOURCES

 

 INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES -  The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener.

Core text:

  • Not applicable

Supplementary texts:

ELE:

CREDIT VALUE

15

ECTS VALUE

7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES

Waves and Optics (PHY1023) and Electromagnetism II (PHY3051)

CO-REQUISITE MODULES

none

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)

6

AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING

NO

ORIGIN DATE

01-Oct-10

LAST REVISION DATE

N/A

KEY WORDS SEARCH

Physics; quantum optics; photonics; optics; Maxwell's equations; electodynamics; quantum mechanics.

Module Descriptor Template Revised October 2011