Topic outline

  • Course description

    This postgraduate course covers the topics of the book Fundamentals of Photonics, B.E.A. Saleh and M.C. Teich, 2 ed. (John Wiley & Sons) concerning Optical Information Processing:

    • Beam optics
    • Fourier optics
    • Guided-wave optics
    • Acousto-optics
    • Electro-optics
    • Ultrafast optics
    • Interconnects and switches

    Each week, the attendants (1) participate in a one-hour lecture given by the teacher and a one-hour exercise session, (2) read 20-30 pages of the book and solve 4 related exercises at home, (3) explain 2 exercise solutions per student in the classroom, and (4) evaluate the given presentations. At the end of the course, the attendants pass the exam. A detailed schedule is attached. The lectures and exercises sessions are to be held in Zoom.



  • Workload and grading

    Workload (130 h in total)

    The course includes 11 hours of lectures, 10 hours of exercise sessions, and 3 hours of the exam. Before each session, the attendants independently study the book material (5 h/week x 10 weeks = 50 h) and solve 4 home exercises (3 h/week x 10 weeks = 30 h). Also, each attendant prepares the exercise solution presentations (6 h in total), including a meeting with the teachers. About 20 h will be spent to prepare for the exam.

    Grading

    The contributions to the grade:

         Exercise solution presentations – max 15 points
         Home exercises – max 35 points
         Final exam – max 70 points

    To pass the course with grade 1, at least 50 points are required. For the grade 5, one has to receive at least 90 points.

  • Lectures

  • Exercises

    Each homework consists of 4 problems on the topic. Please hand in your solutions (in jpeg or pdf format) through the return box appearing on this page; the deadline is every week on Friday at 14:15. 

    During the exercise sessions, 4 problem solutions will be presented by 2 students; 7-10 min per solution presentation. Solution presentations are checked before each session with Elena Ilina on Wednesdays at 10:00 and 11:00, using Teams. Presentations are peer-evaluated by the students and filled forms are to be returned through email to elena.ilina@aalto.fi after each exercise session.

    If you'd like some help or have any questions, contact the course assistant: elena.ilina@aalto.fi

  • Final exam