The course covers the principles of Photonic sub-systems. Applications are discussed in communications, sensing and high precision measurement. It covers laser direct detection and coherent detection, signal to noise ratio and bit error rate, wireless over fibre systems, systems for measurement of distance, time and material composition and optical systems for generation and detection of terahertz and microwave radiation.

Course content:

Topic 1: Impact of devices on systems: Looking at laser, modulators, detectors and their impact on the system.

Topic 2: direct detection and non linearities. Looking at the basic equations to define a direct detection system and on the impact of non-linearities on the system as well as how to model them in particular cases.

Topic 3: Coherent detection. Key equation to define coherent detectors. Definition of coherent gain.

Topic 4: Phase detection. Use of optical coherent detection systems to detect phase. Impact on detection sensitivity and SNR in Phase measurement.

Topic 5: Phase locking. Study of optical locking techniques: Optical Injection Locking, Optical phase lock loops and Optical injection phase lock loops.

Topic 6: Applications of photonic systems: look at examples of systems such as RF over fibre, THz systems, LIDAR, frequency combs etc.

Topic 7: Integrated photonics for future systems: Will look at integrated photonics platform and their limitation. Will include subsystem examples on integrated platforms.

By the end of this module the students will be expected to:

• Know and understand the scientific principles and methodology necessary to underpin their education in photonic subsystems, to enable appreciation of its scientific and engineering context, and to support their understanding of historical, current, and future developments and technologies.
• Comprehensively understand the scientific principles of photonic subsystems and related disciplines such as knowing how to generate terahertz and microwave radiation using lasers
• Know and understand the mathematical principles necessary to underpin their education in photonic subsystems to enable them to apply mathematical methods, tools and notations proficiently in the analysis and solution of engineering problems.
• Be aware of developing technologies related to photonic subsystems such as generation of terahertz and microwave radiation using lasers.
• Ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines such as telecommunications and metrology to support study of photonic subsystems.
• Extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply in its solution computer based engineering tools when appropriate.
• Apply a systems approach to engineering problems.
• Have a wide knowledge and comprehensive understanding of design processes and methodologies for photonic devices and interconnects and the ability to apply and adapt them in unfamiliar situations, knowing their limitations such as to design a wide range of photonic transmitters and photonic receivers using basic and advanced modulation formats to meet specific signal to noise ratio and bit error rate requirements
• Thoroughly understand current practice and its limitations, and have some appreciation of likely new developments such as how to design photonic sub-systems for high precision measurement (metrology) of time and distance.

Course Delivery is workshop based and includes flipped lectures.