This short course will give you an in-depth understanding of the design, fabrication, operation and performance of advanced photonic devices for a variety of applications, including optical-fibre communications and solar power generation.

It covers materials and devices and examines how ingenious device design can overcome shortcomings in the materials, devices or their application.

Course content

The following topics will be covered during the course:

• Crystals
• The electronic behaviour of semiconductor materials
• Principle of generation of light and its detection
• Quantum wells and quantum dots
• Semiconductor growth by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)
• Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• Coupling of LEDs and lasers to optical fibres
• Principle of operation of a laser
• The design of a variety of semiconductor lasers
• Waveguide modes
• The spectrum of light emitted by a laser
• Modulation of laser (coherent) light
• Laser noise and its effect on the signal to noise ratio
• A variety of photodetectors
• Liquid crystal photonic devices

Who this course is for

The department's short courses/CPD modules are aimed at those working in the telecommunications industry such as researchers, engineers, IT professionals and managers.

They're particularly suited to graduates in electronic and electrical engineering, communications engineering and computer science who want to further their knowledge on a particular topic, or work towards a Master's degree.

You don't need to have any pre-requisite qualifications to take this course.

Teaching will take place in person with some materials available online. The course will take place at the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, UCL, Roberts Building, London, WC1E 7JE.

Cost: £1,500