Description

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

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)

A student who has passed this module 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:
  7. solve mathematical problems;
  8. apply electrodynamics and quantum mechanics to devices, structures and systems;
• Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
  9. develop self-study skills;
  10. solve problems.

Syllabus Plan

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

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:

• Gerry C.C. and Knight P.L. (2004), Introductory Quantum Optics, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-521-52735-4 (UL: 535.15 GER)
• Loudon R. (2000), The Quantum Theory of Light (3^rd edition), Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0198501763 (UL: 535.15 Lou)
• Pedrotti F.L. and Pedrotti F.J.L.S. (2007), Introduction to Optics (3^rd edition), Pearson Prentice-Hall, ISBN 978-0-131-97133-2 (UL: 535 PED)

ELE:

• http://newton.ex.ac.uk/redirects/ELE/phym015

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