Investigate and strengthen your knowledge of laser, photonics, and fiber optics technologies with our blended courses that offer a convenient and flexible format.
The theoretical overview of the courses are offered online and accessible on both desktop and mobile devices. The hands-on section of the course is hosted at a LASER-TEC college.
The theoretical overview of the courses are offered online and accessible on both desktop and mobile devices. The hands-on section of the course is hosted at a LASER-TEC college.
Relevant and Emerging
Relevant STEM content that you can easily integrate in your classes
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Accessible
Interactive content delivered online and accessible on desktop and mobile devices
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Hands-on
Well-equipped laboratories at a LASER-TEC partner college
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"Having a laser laboratory and courses so readily accessible for educators is an amazing opportunity. Photonics is an important part of many careers and becoming a part of everyday life. Being knowledgeable about photonics makes me able to open my students up to possibilities they may not have ever considered.”
Felicia North
Math and Science teacher
The Willow School, Vero Beach, Florida
Course Description
This course covers the fundamental principles of light, such as the terminology relating to light, the behavior of light in different environments, and light generation and manipulation. Concepts such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, and absorption of light will be explained theoretically and through simple experiments. Course participants will be exposed to basic optical components used in a photonics lab, and they will learn how to use various mounts, the importance of properly cleaning optical components, how coatings can change, and the properties of an optical component. This course also provides basic training on the use of a low-power laser and optical power meter with an emphasis on laser safety concepts.
Course Learning Outcomes• Describe the dual (wave/particle) nature and properties of light
• Demonstrate a full understanding of light terminology, such as frequency, wavelength, amplitude, phase, speed, and energy • Describe the electromagnetic spectrum and sketch a diagram of its main optical regions • Describe line spectra, band spectra, and continuous blackbody radiation • Describe how light is scattered, absorbed, and transmitted when passing through optical materials • Choose optical materials for specific use in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared regions • Clean and inspect surfaces of optical elements for scratches, chips, or digs • Handle and properly position optical components (such as lenses, mirrors, filters), optical benches, and vibration-free tables • Properly set and perform the measurement of the output optical power using a power meter • Understand human eye anatomy and the impact of laser sources on it • Understand various laser safety controls and procedures • Calculate the OD of laser safety eyewear for a specific laser type and MPE • Safely operate low-power lasers • Communicate the knowledge gained from this course with clarity and precision • Make use of technology to organize, acquire, and convey information |
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Cost$1,000 - waived for educators
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Course LengthONLINE - 8 Weeks
Practical - 2 full days |
PrerequisiteNone
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Course Description
This course teaches principles of geometrical and physical optics that can be applied in the fields of electronics, instrumentation, telecommunications, and biomedical equipment. The first half of this course will be focused the fundamentals of geometrical optics. Participants will learn how to manipulate light using mirrors and lenses. The theoretical analysis based on ray-tracing techniques and mathematical equations will be introduced and then followed by lab experiments. In the second half of this course, the participants will dig deeper into the fundamentals of physical optics, such as interference patterns through single and double slits, pinholes, and diffraction gratings. Course participants will also be introduced to the basics of laser construction and principles of laser operation.
Course Learning Outcomes
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• State the Law of Reflection and Snell’s Law of Refraction at plane and spherical interfaces between different optical media
• Describe total internal reflection and calculate the critical angle of incidence for the interface between two optical media • Calculate the minimum angle of deviation for a prism and show how this angle can be used to determine the refractive index of a transparent material shaped into a prism • Explain propagation of light rays through a telescope, a camera, and a pair of binoculars • Utilize ray-tracing techniques to locate the images formed by plane and spherical mirrors and lenses • Determine location, size, orientation, and nature of images formed with spherical mirrors and lenses using mathematical equations • Implement various optical alignment techniques, including the collimation of a diverging laser beam • Recognize the difference between Fraunhofer (far-field) and Fresnel (near-field) diffraction • Experimentally determine the thickness of a human hair using the concept of diffraction • Conduct experiments with various diffraction filters and use equations to calculate beam spread and fringe locations • Describe a transmission grating and calculate positions of different orders of diffraction • Describe how polarizers/analyzers and the Law of Malus are used to control light intensity • Calculate Brewster’s angle and discuss how a Brewster window is used in a laser cavity for the generation of a linearly polarized laser beam • Describe the main functions of various components of a laser • Implement the acquired skills and knowledge to troubleshoot and solve simple problems in a photonics lab |
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Cost$1,000 - waived for educators
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Course LengthONLINE - 8 weeks
PRACTICAL - 2 full days |
PrerequisiteIntroduction to Photonics
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Course Description
This course provides a practical, real-world perspective on the fundamentals of fiber optics technology and optical data communications. It examines the reasons why optical fibers are the preferred communications medium, surpassing copper wire in all performance measures. A thorough explanation of how fibers work will be offered, as well as useful coverage of other related optical components and how those components fit into system-level applications. All important elements of a fiber-optic link will be introduced and discussed, such as transmitters, optical fiber, and receivers. Course participants will learn about total internal reflection, types of optical fibers used, connectors and splices, and various types of measurement. Practical skills that a fiber cable installer needs in the field will be practiced through hands-on experiments that include cleaning and visual inspection of the connector end face, installation of the connector on the optical fiber, and splicing of two fibers. Finally, the attendants will be trained to use and perform different measurements using visual fault locators, an optical loss test set (OLTS), and optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) equipment.
Course Learning Outcomes
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• Describe the term fiber optics and outline the progress made in the history of fiber optics
• List the parts of a fiber-optic data link and understand the function of each part • Discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of fiber optics systems compared to electrical communications systems • Explain how optical fibers transmit light, including the concept of total internal reflection, single vs. multimode operation, extrinsic and intrinsic losses, attenuation, and dispersion of light through a fiber • Understand the basics of optical fiber manufacturing, including the vapor phase oxidation, direct-melt optical fiber fabrication, and other phases of the fiber manufacturing process • Identify the basic cable components and their function, such as buffers, strength members, and jacket materials • Describe a fiber-optic splice, connector, and coupler as well as the types of connections they form in systems • Calculate and provide basic analysis of a fiber link budget • Explain the difference between different topologies (such as Bus, Ring, Star, and Tree), FDDI, Ethernet, Fiber Channel, wave-length division multiplexing, Passive Optical Networks, and FTTH concepts • Inspect and clean the end face of a fiber-optic connector • Install a fiber-optic connector on the optical fiber using the UNICAM method • Identify the types of fiber-optic mechanical and fusion splices, and outline the basic splicing techniques for each type of fiber-optic splice • Properly set the fusion splicer and perform fusion splicing of two optical fibers • Describe optical fiber and optical connection laboratory measurements to evaluate fiber-optic components and system performance • Perform Tier 1 (using optical loss test set) and Tier 2 (using OTDR) measurements, including proper adjustment of the equipment and understanding of TIA standards • Describe the value for conducting accurate, reliable, and repeatable test measurements as well as the importance of writing detailed test reports and other documentation |
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Cost$1,000 - waived for educators
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Course LengthONLINE - 8 weeks
PRACTICAL - 2 full days |
PrerequisiteIntroduction to Photonics
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Course Description
This course builds on the previously acquired knowledge and skills taught in the Introduction to Photonics and the Geometrical Physical Optics courses. Advanced concepts of laser construction and operation will be taught, which includes advanced measurement techniques that depict the various output characteristics for both low-power and high-power lasers. Course participants will be given basic Laser Safety Officer (LSO) training and learn about various laser safety protocols, operating procedures, and equipment used in a Class 4 laser lab environment. Beam profilers, beam splitters, advanced level power meters, spectrometers, and other measurement equipment will be introduced and used in a lab setup. Students will be exposed to the principles and operation of gas lasers (HeNe), ion lasers, semiconductor lasers, fiber-optic lasers, and Nd:YAG lasers. More advanced techniques such as Q-switching, mode-locking, and wave division multiplexing will also be studied on a theoretical and practical level.
Course Learning Outcomes
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• Fully understand and implement laser safety rules, protocols, procedures, and equipment on a LSO-equivalent level
• Demonstrate a full understanding of OD and NHZ calculation and selection regarding laser safety eyewear for a specific laser type and MPE as well as other laser-safety equipment • Understand the differences between various classes of lasers from the perspective of laser safety • Describe spontaneous and stimulated emission, population inversion, laser pumping, and other concepts of laser construction and operation • Categorize lasers according to gain medium, output wavelength, and their applications • Identify the most important applications of lasers • Name and describe the different types of mirrors used in fiber lasers • Properly align the mirrors in a laser for a successful process of lasing • Calculate and measure all important output parameters of a laser – beam divergence, beam profile, spectral characteristics, and the like • Describe the beam divergence of a laser diode, the mounting and cooling of semiconducting lasers, and the dependence of the wavelength and threshold current in diode lasers with temperature • Describe five processes that produce damage in laser diodes and the ways to counteract them • Describe how fiber lasers are used in manufacturing, telecommunications, spectroscopy, medicine, and the military • Use procedures and equipment given in the laboratory manual to safely operate a fiber laser • Describe various methods of pulsing a laser, including mode-locking and Q-switching • Present a brief general description of different subsystems of CW Nd:YAG lasers (such as the laser rod, optical pumping system, optical cavity, and cooling system) • Operate and measure the output characteristics of a CW Nd:YAG laser system and a pulsed Nd:YAG laser system in the laboratory • Explain the basic principles of Q-switching, including the concepts of amplifier gain, loop gain, and cavity “quality” • Describe mode-locking and its two methods |
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Cost$1,000 - waived for educators
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Course LengthONLINE - 8 weeks
PRACTICAL - 2 full days |
PrerequisiteIntroduction to Photonics
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Course DescriptionA detailed description and learning outcomes for this course are still in the works and will be provided when available. All suggestions welcome.
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