Module Resources
Module 1.1 Nature and Properties of LightDescription: The generation, transport, manipulation, detection, and use of light are at the heart of photonics. Photonics is a growing career field with a projected growth rate of 10% to 20% over the next decade. Photonics technicians and engineers must master new concepts, learn new techniques, and develop new skills derived from a highly developed understanding of the nature of light and its properties.
Audience: Educators, students Level: College Author: Linda J. Vandergriff, Director of Photonics System Engineering, Science Applications International Corporation, McLean, Virgini |
Module 1.2 Light Sources and Laser Safety
Description: This module addresses various non-laser light sources, such as incandescent lamps, fluorescent discharge lamps, high-intensity discharge lamps, flashlamps, arc lamps, and LEDs. It also discusses laser safety in detail, including the human eye, laser hazards, laser safety controls, maximum permissible exposure, laser safety glasses, and laser accidents. The laboratory experience at the end of the module will enhance the learner's ability to understand the dangers associated with lasers, with small and large beam diameters, and with constant power levels.
Audience: Educators, students Level: College Author: Fred Seeper, Camden County College, Blackwood, New Jersey |
Module 1.3 Basic Geometrical OpticsDescription: This module covers the first of two main divisions of basic optics-geometrical (ray) optics. Module 1.4 covers physical (wave) optics. Geometrical optics will help you understand the basics of light reflection and refraction and the use of simple optical elements, such as mirrors, prisms, lenses, and fibers. Physical optics will help you understand the phenomena of light wave interference, diffraction, and polarization; the use of thin-film coatings on mirrors to enhance or suppress reflection; and the operation of such devices as gratings and quarter-wave plates.
Audience: Educators, students Level: College Author: Leno S. Pedrotti, CORD, Waco, Texas |
Module 1.4 Basic Physical OpticsDescription: In this module, we concentrate on light waves and away from light rays, as covered in Module 1.3. In so doing, we move from a concern over the propagation of light energy along straight-line segments to one that includes the spreading of light energy-a fundamental behavior of all wave motion. With wave optics-commonly referred to as physical optics-we are able to account for important phenomena, such as interference, diffraction, and polarization. The study of these phenomena lays the foundation for an understanding of such devices and concepts as holograms, interferometers, thin-film interference, coatings for antireflection (AR) and high reflection (HR), gratings, polarizers, quarter-wave plates, and laser beam divergence in the near and far field.
Audience: Educators, students Level: College Author: Leno S. Pedrotti, CORD, Waco, Texas |
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Module 1.7 Optical Waveguides and FibersDescription: This module is an introduction to the basics of fiber optics, discussing especially the characteristics of optical fibers with regards to the fabrication of low-loss optical fibers and the room-temperature operation of semiconductor lasers in 1970. Within a brief span of 30 years, we are now in the fifth generation of optical fiber communication systems. Recent developments in optical amplifiers and wavelength division multiplexing (WDN) are taking us to a communication system with almost "zero" loss and "infinite" bandwidth. Optical fiber communication systems are now fulfilling the increased demand on communication links, especially with the proliferation of the Internet. This module tracks the evolution of these systems that are now so critical to our daily lives.
Audience: Educators, students Level: College Author: Ajoy Ghatak and K. Thyagarajan, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, Indi |
Module 1.8 Fiber Optic TelecommunicationDescription: Fiber optics is a major building block in the telecommunication infrastructure. Its high bandwidth capabilities and low attenuation characteristics make it ideal for gigabit transmission and beyond. In this module, you will be introduced to the building blocks that make up a fiber-optic communication system. You will learn about the different types of fibers (and their applications), light sources and detectors, couplers, splitters, wavelength-division multiplexers, and the state-of-the-art devices used in the latest high-bandwidth communication systems. Attention is also given to system performance criteria, such as power and rise-time budgets. Before you work through this module, you should have completed Module 1.7. In addition, you should be able to manipulate and use algebraic formulas, deal with units, and use basic trigonometric functions, such as sine, cosine, and tangent. A basic understanding of wavelength, frequency, and the velocity of light is also assumed.
Audience: Educators, students Level: College Author: Nick Massa, Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield, Massachusetts |
Module 1.9 Photonic Devices for Imaging, Display, and StorageDescription: Electronic and electro-optic devices are frequently used to display images obtained from the computer processing of data. Images, or digital pictures, are generally two-dimensional data structures that convey spatial information to the viewer. Images are collected through various means, from digital cameras to laser radar scanning systems. Once stored in a computer, these images can be manipulated mathematically to accomplish many different objectives. The improvement of images for viewing or analysis and computer interpretation of image content are among those objectives. This module explains the terminology associated with images, how images are acquired and stored, and how images are displayed.
Audience: Educators, students Level: College Author: Harley R. Myler, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida |
Module 1.10 Basic Principles and Applications of HolographyDescription: Holography is a much broader field than most people have perceived. Recording and displaying truly three-dimensional images are only small parts of it. Holographic optical elements (HOE) can perform the functions of mirrors, lenses, gratings, or combinations of them, and they are used in myriad technical devices. Holographic interferometry measures microscopic displacement on the surface of an object and small changes in the index of refraction of transparent objects like plasma and heat waves. Future photonic devices, such as electro-optical chips, will undoubtedly incorporate micro-lasers and HOEs for optical computations, free-space interconnects, and massive analog and digital memory systems. You will need to have studied Modules 1.1-1.4. In this module, a physical model will be developed so that every major feature of basic holography can be explained through visualization and without the use of mathematics. Basic trigonometry will be helpful, but not required, for quantitative understanding.
Audience: Educators, students Level: College Author: Tung H. Jeong, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois |
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