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Introduction to Photonics
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:31
Abstract
This course introduces students to the main concepts of optics and photonics. Specifically, we will describe the laws obeyed by optical waves and discuss how to use them to manipulate light.
Objective
Photonics, the science of light, has become ubiquitous in our lives. Control and manipulation of light is what enables us to interact with the screen of our smart devices and exchange large amounts of complex information. Photonics has also taken a preponderant role in cutting-edge science, allowing for instance to image nanospecimens, detect diseases or sense very tiny forces. The purpose of this course is three-fold: (i) We first aim to provide the fundamentals of photonics, establishing a solid basis for more specialised courses. (ii) Beyond theoretical concepts, our intention is to have students develop an intuition on how to manipulate light in practise. (iii) Finally, the course highlights how the taught concepts apply to modern research as well as to everyday life technologies (LCD screens, polarisation sun glasses, anti-reflection coating etc...). Content, including videos of laboratory experiments, has been designed to be approachable by students from a diverse set of science and engineering backgrounds.
Content
I- BASICS OF WAVE THEORY 1) General concepts 2) Differential wave equation 3) Wavefront 4) Plane waves and Fourier decomposition of optical fields 5) Spherical waves and Huygens-Fresnel principle II- ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES 1) Maxwell equations 2) Wave equation for EM waves 3) Dielectric permittivity 4) Refractive index 5) Nonlinear optics 6) Polarisation and polarisation control III- PROPAGATION OF LIGHT 1) Waves at an interface 2) The Fresnel coefficients 3) Total internal reflection 4) Evanescent waves 5) Dispersion diagram IV- INTERFERENCES 1) General considerations 2) Temporal and spatial coherence 3) The Young double slit experiment 4) Diffraction gratings 5) The Michelson interferometer 6) Multi-wave interference 7) Antireflecting coating and interference filters 8) Optical holography V- LIGHT MANIPULATION 1) Optical waveguides 2) Photonic crystals 3) Metamaterials and metasurfaces 4) Optical cavities VI- OPTICAL FORCES AND OPTICAL TWEEZERS 1) History of optical forces 2) Theory of optical trapping 3) Atom cooling 4) Optomechanics 5) Applications of optical tweezers VII- INTRODUCTION TO OPTICAL MICROSCOPY 1) Basic concepts 2) Direct and Fourier imaging 3) Image formation 4) Fluorescence microscopy 5) Scattering-based microscopy 6) Digital holography 7) Computational imaging
Resources
Lecture Notes
Class notes and handouts
Literature
Optics (Hecht) - Pearson
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 90 minutes
- Aids
- None
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Introduction to Photonics | No time listed | 2 h weekly |
| exercise | Introduction to Photonics | No time listed | 2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Sustainable Energy and Processes (Focus Coordinator: Prof. Mark Tibbitt In order to achieve the required 20 credit points for the Focus Specialization Sustainable Energy and Processes you need to pass at least 2 core courses (W+) and at least 2 of the elective courses, according to the presentation of the Focus Specialization. If needed, an additional course from the D-MAVT course offerings (151-…) at the 3rd-year Bachelor level can be selected.)
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Micro- and Nanosystems Technology (Focus Coordinator: Prof. Romain Quidant)
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Core Courses (The Core Courses in the Master’s program Mechanical Engineering listed below are indicative and include courses designed by the Department at the Master's level. With the approval of the tutor, students may also select Master's-level courses offered by other departments at ETH. These courses will be marked as non-regular in the LAG, but their categorization as Core Courses is possible if included in the approved LAG.)
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Recommended Elective Courses (These courses are particularly recommended for the Bioelectronics track. Please consult your track advisor if you wish to select other subjects.)
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Doctorate Materials Science (Further information at: )
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