68513 Nanoscale and Quantum Photonics
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Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): (68201 Physics 2 OR 68037 Physical Modelling) AND (33230c Mathematics 2 OR 68038 Advanced Mathematics and Physics OR 33290 Statistics and Mathematics for Science) AND (68206 Optics OR 68315 Imaging Science)
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Recommended studies:
68206 Optics; 37336 Vector Calculus and Partial Differential Equations; 68413 Quantum Physics
Description
The behaviour and properties of light, including its interaction with matter, underpin many of the technological developments of recent years. A thorough understanding of optics is necessary for careers in optics R&D, optical engineering, sales and technical support, and areas such as telecommunications, optical metrology and biomedical optics.
This subject builds upon the foundation studies of waves and optics undertaken in an introductory physics subjects. It takes advantage of the methods of vector calculus and differential equations to analyse how propagating fields interact with matter. The subject shows that field distributions at the nanoscale play an important role in many well-established and developing biological and chemical nanoscale analytic tools. Topics may include: Maxwell's equations, interaction of electromagnetic waves and matter, diffraction and holographic gratings, near-field optics and nanophotonics.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Apply the fundamental principles of electromagnetic waves to straightforward modern optical systems. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Identify and explain the underlying optical principles in naturally occurring and complicated cutting-edge optical systems. |
| 3. | Generalise themes and techniques and apply them to a wider, multidisciplinary context (e.g. superposition) |
| 4. | Achieve a given level of competence in the use of various optical techniques and equipment. |
| 5. | Effectively manage a scientific investigation from designing the experiment to defending the results and interpretation. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate coherent understanding of physics and related knowledge applied to diverse contexts. (1.1)
- Evaluate the reliability of scientific evidence and apply effective experimental design, analysis and critical thinking to predict the behaviour of real-world systems using physical models (2.1)
- Engage autonomously or in teams to derive and analyse data from instrumentation and physical models to make ethical contributions to society. (3.1)
- Evaluate and design solutions to complex physical problems through creative problem-solving, using analytical, computational, and experimental approaches. (4.1)
- Apply effective and appropriate communication methods for discussing physics concepts, data and analysis with diverse audiences. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the development of the following Graduate Attributes:
Disciplinary knowledge. Disciplinary knowledge and practice will be built by engaging in interactive lectures and numerous practical and/or virtual optics experiments that are relevant to essential optical phenomena and selected nanotechnology applications. This will be assessed in all assessments, especially the assignments and exam.
Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking. The research project encourages an Inquiry-oriented approach and the assessment schedules reward students who can demonstrate this ability. Using a problem-based learning approach, students will design and carry out optical metrology experiments (or computer investigations depending on staff availability) and structure a scientific argument based on their results.
Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility. Several professional skills will be tested and developed via formal and informal feedback. This ties in to several activities, including the labs (keeping a log, quantitative analysis), research presentation/reports (science communication), optics project (managing a systematic investigation). This will be assessed in labs and project.
Reflection, Innovation and Creativity. In this subject students will develop critical thinking in assessing experimental design and reports of their peers. They will also engage with feedback to improve their own experimental design. The project provides an opportunity for students to test their initiative and creativity, and the assessment particularly rewards groups that show full development of the task assigned.
Communication. Data presentation and logical argument will be demonstrated and assessed in the project at the end of the session. Students will also develop their writing skills by keeping a scientific logbook at the standards expected of a professional scientific laboratory, and communication skills by giving feedback to their peers.
Teaching and learning strategies
One 2h combined lecture/tutorial per week will be run throughout the session; the tutorial may sometimes be held in the optics lab if necessary. You will also take part in prescribed experimental optics practicals / computer experiments, 2 hpw - refer to the program and timetable for details. You are expected to spend on average an additional 3 hpw on independent learning outside class time for this subject.
You should come to tutorials having read the background notes and/or watched any relevant videos from Canvas so that you can apply this knowledge to discussions and theoretical exercises in class. These resources are carefully prepared in advance so that we can make the best use of our time together and help you where you actually need it. Assignments or online quizzes that you complete in your own time will provide timely feedback on your understanding of theory.
Likewise you must read background notes from Canvas and complete any design calculations prior to the labs, so that you are prepared to use your lab time effectively to perform experiments. You may be required to complete basic online tests before you can access all the material you need in the lab. Laboratory experiments may need to be performed collaboratively in groups as directed in class. Computer labs will generally be completed individually but you can discuss your progress with peers in class. Unless otherwise directed, all assessments are individual submissions. You will be given feedback on report writing and analysis to help improve your learning for later assessments.
The project is a structured introduction to research in which you will design and execute an investigation (using either experiments or computer simulations as directed). It is important to seek regular informal feedback on your progress and use this feedback to improve your final submission.
Content (topics)
The selection of topics taught will depend on available teaching staff. These may include:
- Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, energy transport, boundary conditions, Fresnel equations
- Interaction of EM waves with dielectrics and metals, Drude and Lorentz descriptions, polarisation.
- Photonic resonators and waveguides, metamaterials, non-linear and other complex materials
- Localized surface plasmons, surface plasmon polaritons, superlensing
- Single photon systems, quantum key cryptography, confocal microscopy
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Laboratory / simulation
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1 - Disciplinary Knowledge 2 - Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3 - Professional, ethical and social responsibility 5 - Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Criteria: | Presentation (clear, accurate, appropriate); Investigation (logical, appropriate depth); Analysis (clear, accurate, appropriate depth); Refer to rubrics for details. |
Assessment task 2: Research Project
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1 - Disciplinary Knowledge 2 - Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3 - Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4 - Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5 - Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: | Professional presentation of the material; Correctness of explanations; Quality of investigation; Quality of review. Refer to rubrics for details. |
Assessment task 3: Exams and quizzes
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1 - Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Criteria: | Correctness and completeness of answers (which must include explanation). |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass this subject students must receive an overall mark greater than 50.
Recommended texts
E. Hecht, “Optics”, any ed.
Also:
Saleh & Teich, "Fundamentals of Photonics": http://find.lib.uts.edu.au/?R=OPAC_b1681254
Novotny & Hecht, "Principles of Nano-optics": http://find.lib.uts.edu.au/?R=OPAC_b2629639
Fox, "Quantum Optics: an introduction": http://find.lib.uts.edu.au/?R=OPAC_b2660926
Other resources
C.A. Bennett, 'Principles of Physical Optics', Wiley, any ed.
MIT OpenCourseWare
Maier, "Plasmonics: Fundamentals & Applications": http://find.lib.uts.edu.au/?R=OPAC_b2371912