Physics 71200 Photonics I (Fall semesters)

This undergraduate/graduate-level course aims to provide a rigorous foundation in the fundamentals of light-matter interactions and optical physics. It covers a wide range of relevant topics, including electrodynamics, modern optics, integrated photonics, and quantum electronics. Tentative topics include Plane waves, Kramers-Kronig relations and material dispersion, boundaries and interfaces, transfer matrix methods, thin-film devices, waveguides and resonators, periodic structures, photonic crystals, two-level systems/oscillators, free-electron metals, plasmonics, semiconductors, excitons, lasers and amplifiers, and photodetectors.

Learning outcomes: (1) Establish a deep understanding of how photonic technologies are rooted in the fundamental concepts covered in this course. (2) Gain hands-on experience with essential optical laboratory techniques and technologies, such as lasers and detectors. (3) Connect students with cutting-edge research topics in optical physics, photonics, materials science, and condensed matter laboratories.

Lecture 1: Course Overview

Lecture 2: Review of Maxwell equations Lecture note

Lecture 3: Plane waves Lecture note

Lecture 4: Reflection, refraction, and evanescent wave Lecture note

Lecture 5: Chromatic dispersion I Lecture note

Lecture 6: Chromatic dispersion II Lecture note

Lecture 7: Thin-film Optical Devices I Lecture note

Lecture 8: Thin-film Optical Devices II Lecture note

Lecture 9: Optical Waveguide I   Lecture note

Lecture 10: Optical Waveguide II Lecture note

Lecture 11: Waveguide devices Lecture note

Lecture 12: Periodic media I Lecture note

Lecture 13: Periodic media II Lecture note

Lecture 14: Metal Optics Lecture note

Lecture 15: Surface plasmon polaritons Lecture note

Lecture 16: Surface phonon polaritons Lecture note

Lecture 17: Interaction of radiation and atomic system Lecture note

Lecture 18: Stimulated emission and amplification                    Lecture note

Lecture 19: Laser oscillation I Lecture note

Lecture 20: Laser oscillation II Lecture note

Lecture 21: Semiconductor lasers       Lecture note

Lecture 22: Photodetectors Lecture note

Physics 85200 Lasers and Nonlinear Photonics (Spring semesters)

This graduate-level course delves into the phenomena and principles of nonlinear optics and lasers, exploring these interrelated topics at both physical and engineering levels. We begin by examining the quantum mechanics underlying nonlinear optical responses and laser dynamics. Next, we address interesting and important phenomena commonly encountered in the field, including intensity-dependent refractive indices, soliton formation (quadratic and Kerr), Brillouin and Raman scattering, self-focusing, Q-switching, and mode-locking. Intertwined with these phenomena, we also discuss various high-impact applications such as parametric amplifiers, quantum squeezing, entangled photon pair generation, supercontinuum generation, ultrashort-pulse generation, and frequency combs. In addition to homework, students will be engaging in a well-designed final project concerning cutting-edge research problems by leveraging knowledge acquired from lectures and advanced computational tools.

Learning outcomes: (1) Students will gain physical insight into cutting-edge research in nonlinear optics, lasers, and quantum photonics; (2) Students will become proficient with advanced computational tools for simulating nonlinear and laser dynamics.

Lecture 1: Course Overview

Lecture 2: Overview of Nonlinear Optical Processes Lecture note

Lecture 3: Nonlinear susceptibilities       Lecture note

Lecture 4: Nonlinear wave equation                                          Lecture note

Lecture 5: Phase matching and QPM                                                                    Lecture note

Lecture 6: SFG, SHG   Lecture note

Lecture 7: DFG, Optical parametric amplification Lecture note

Lecture 8: Optical parametric oscillator Lecture note

Lecture 9: Kerr effect Lecture note

Lecture 10: Pulse propagation, dispersion Lecture note

Lecture 11: Chirp, Self-phase modulation                     Lecture note

Lecture 12: Modulation instability, Soliton Lecture note

Lecture 13: Raman and Brillouin Scattering Lecture note

Lecture 14: Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS)                          Lecture note

Lecture 15: Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) Lecture note

Lecture 16: Interaction of Radiation and atomic system Lecture note

Lecture 17: Stimulated emission and amplification                     Lecture note

Lecture 18: Laser oscillation I Lecture note

Lecture 19: Laser oscillation II Lecture note

Lecture 20: Q-switching Lecture note

Lecture 21: Mode-locking Lecture note