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227-0125-00L 6 Credits BSC , DR , MSC D-HEST , D-MAVT , D-PHYS , D-MATH , D-ITET , D-MATL

Optics and Photonics

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Juerg Leuthold

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:06

Abstract

This lecture covers both - the fundamentals of "Optics" such as e.g. "ray optics", "coherence", the "Planck law", the "reciprocity theorem" or the "Einstein relations" but also the fundamentals of "Photonics" on the generation (the laser), processing, transmission and detection of photons.

Objective

A sound base for work in the field of optics and photonics will be conveyed. Key principles of optics will the thaught. The lecture passes on the essentials for work with free-space optics, fiber or waveguide optics. In addition important optical devices will be discussed. Among them are e.g. optical filters, copulers (MMI-couplers,...), Holograms,... .

Content

Chapter 1: Ray Optics Chapter 2: Electromagnetic Optics Chapter 3: Polarization Chapter 4: Coherence and Interference Chapter 5: Fourier Optics and Diffraction Chapter 6: Guided Wave Optics Chapter 7: Optical Fibers Chapter 8: The Laser

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes will be handed out.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC , DR , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: oral 30 minutes

Die Beteiligung am Übungsbetrieb wird im Sinne der Lernelemente mit bis zu 0.25 Notenpunkten belohnt. Es wird erwartet, dass man die Übungen löst. Zur Kontrolle werden die Übungen an 3 zufälligen Terminen eingezogen. Wer mindestens 2 Übungsserien gelöst hat erhält 0.25 Notenpunkt Gutschriften.

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Optics and Photonics	Tue 10:15-12:00 (ETZ E 6)	2 h weekly
exercise	Optics and Photonics	Tue 08:15-10:00 (ETZ E 6)	2 h weekly

Offered In

Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Bachelor
- 6th semester: third year core courses (Can be freely combined, a list of detailed recommendations is available under )
  - Specialization: Biomedical Engineering (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Biomedical Engineering" but students may choose core courses from all fields freely.)
  - Specialization: Electronics and Photonics (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Electronics and Photonics" but students may choose core courses from all fields freely.)
Biomedical Engineering Master (Only courses offered under "GESS Science in Perspective" count in this category. See "Offered in" tab in course view. For more information, please refer to )
- Major Courses
  - Bioelectronics
    - Recommended Elective Courses (These courses are particularly recommended for the Bioelectronics track. Please consult your track adviser if you wish to select other subjects.)
  - Bioimaging
    - Recommended Elective Courses (These courses are particularly recommended for the Bioimaging track. Please consult your track adviser if you wish to select other subjects.)
Computational Science and Engineering Master
- Electives (In the ‘electives’ subcategory, at least two course units must be successfully completed. All courses listed as core courses (not electives) for one of the following ETH MSc programmes, MSc Statistics, MSc Physics, MSc Computer Science, MSc (Applied) Mathematics, MSc Neural Systems and Computation, MSc Robotics, Systems, and Control, MSc Data Science, MSc Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, can be taken as an elective course in the MSc CSE without prior permission.)
Micro- and Nanosystems Master
- Core Courses
  - Elective Core Courses
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Master
- 01 - Courses of specializations
  - Track: Communication (The core courses and specialization courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialize in the area of "Communication", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
    - Core Courses (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Communication". You may choose core courses form other fields in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 24 credits must be obtained from core courses during the MSc EEIT.)
      - Foundation Core Courses
  - Track: Electronics and Photonics (The core courses and specialization courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialize in the area of "Electronics and Photonics", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
    - Core Courses (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Electronics and Photonics". You may choose core courses form other fields in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 24 credits must be obtained from core courses during the MSc EEIT.)
      - Foundation Core Courses
Doctorate Materials Science (Further information at: )
- Subject Specialisation
  - Science & Technology of the Small (MaP Doctoral School)
Quantum Engineering Master
- Electives (This is a selection of courses particularly suitable for the MSc QE. In agreement with the tutor, students may choose other courses from the ETH course catalogue.)