In depth - MSc Optics and Photonics

Lasers underpin much of commercial and research optics and photonics. This module provides a basic introduction to the physics of lasers including 3 and 4-level lasers, the conditions required for gain and laser operation, control of the spectral properties of laser emission, Q-switching, modelocking and the different types of laser gain media, spatial laser modes, Gaussian beam propagation and includes an introduction to the topic of nonlinear optics.

PHYS70025 O&P Lasers

Optical measurement techniques are important to manufacturers and users of optical equipment and in a wide range of applications. Polarisation, interference and coherence are aspects of light that can be exploited for a broad range of measurement techniques and form the foundation of many optical devices. This module introduces these phenomena and provides frameworks for describing, understanding and exploiting them. The module gives details of the underlying generic optical concepts, their mathematical representation and their practical applications.

PHYS70026 O&P Optical Measurment & Devices

You will follow a set of experiments ranging from short introductory experiments, through longer experiments and finally an extended self-design project. You will be exposed to a wide variety of optical techniques and phenomena that you will also see in taught lecture modules.

PHYS70027 O&P MSc Optics & Photonics Laboratory

This module lets you develop your ability to distil information from the scientific literature using methods appropriate to the chosen topic. You will develop skills for analysing and critiquing the literature. You will produce a report outlining the background to the chosen topic and the key steps in its development from conception through to the current state-of-the-art. Typically the topic chosen will be a research area or technique.

PHYS70028 O&P MSc Self-Study Project

A 4-month research project on a state-of-the-art problem within the area of optics and photonics. The project will encompass either a laboratory-based practical project, computational project or theoretical project, either within one of our research groups or with an industrial partner and under the guidance of research-active staff. You will be able to choose from a range of projects based on their interests and the background they have developed through their prior studies on the MSc.

PHYS70034 O&P MSc Masters Project

This module builds on the Oscillations and Waves, E&M and Solid State Physics core modules, and develops understanding of how modern optical communications technologies operate. The module considers optical fibres and the surrounding optoelectronic and photonic technology, classical information theory and data encoding, and network infrastructure.

This module covers the interaction of quantum mechanical objects with light, including at the single-photon level. A description of the quantised electromagnetic field will be introduced, and the physics of atoms' and mechanical oscillators' interaction with the electromagnetic field will be discussed.

Module spec can be found here.

The module introduces Seidel aberration theory to describe and enumerate the aberrations that arise in optical imaging systems such as compound lenses and mirrors. It studies arrangements of optical surfaces that are able to control or minimise aberrations and investigates both theoretical and practical design processes using an industry standard computer aided design package.

PHYS70029 O&P Optical Design

An introduction to principles and practice of laser devices and nonlinear optical technology. The module will provide an understanding of the key physical concepts underlying laser and nonlinear optics and their contemporary applications. Students will be equipped with sufficient knowledge to be able to use and understand lasers and nonlinear processes in the subsequent research or commercial careers.

Module spec can be found here.

An introduction to principles and practice of biomedical imaging technologies, including microscopes, fluorescence and tomography. The module will provide an understanding of the challenges presented by tissue samples, in vivo and ex vivo systems. You will be equipped with sufficient knowledge to be able to use and understand a biomedical imaging system in subsequent research or industry settings and will gain knowledge of latest research frontiers.

PHYS70031 O&P Biomedical Imaging

An introduction to the most important device components from the worlds of optical telecommunication, space lighting, optical displays and sustainable energy production. You will acquire advanced mastery of the principles of diode laser action and design, and you will explore how quantum theory can be harnessed to improve performance in nano-scale devices. You will also consider the key factors affecting the use of photovoltaics and LED lighting as part of a sustainable energy future. You will examine the operation of optical displays, how the human visual system works and the way in which it perceives light and colour, and the operating principles behind many displays and their development.

PHYS70032 O&P Opto-electronic Devices

This module is an introduction to fibre lasers and ultrafast lasers. It will cover the fundamentals of optical fibres and how they can be used as laser gain media, the generation and characterisation of ultrafast optical pulses and relevant examples of ultrafast pulsed lasers. You will gain an understanding of how fibre and ultrafast lasers work and gain insight into why they are such useful tools in a wide variety of scientific and industrial applications. PHYS70033 O&P Fibre & Ultrafast Lasers