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Syllabus for

 Academic year
MCC052 - Laser engineering  
 
Syllabus adopted 2015-02-11 by Head of Programme (or corresponding)
Owner: MPWPS
7,5 Credits
Grading: TH - Five, Four, Three, Not passed
Education cycle: Second-cycle
Major subject: Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics
Department: 59 - MICROTECHNOLOGY AND NANOSCIENCE


Teaching language: English
Open for exchange students
Block schedule: A

Course module   Credit distribution   Examination dates
Sp1 Sp2 Sp3 Sp4 Summer course No Sp
0112 Examination 4,5 c Grading: TH   4,5 c   Contact examiner   18 Aug 2016 am M
0212 Laboratory 1,5 c Grading: UG   1,5 c    
0312 Project 1,5 c Grading: UG   1,5 c    

In programs

MPCOM COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING, MSC PROGR, Year 1 (compulsory elective)
MPWPS WIRELESS, PHOTONICS AND SPACE ENGINEERING, MSC PROGR, Year 1 (compulsory elective)
MPEES EMBEDDED ELECTRONIC SYSTEM DESIGN, MSC PROGR, Year 1 (elective)

Examiner:

Docent  Victor Torres Company


Replaces

MCC050   Laser Engineering MCC051   Laser engineering


Eligibility:


In order to be eligible for a second cycle course the applicant needs to fulfil the general and specific entry requirements of the programme that owns the course. (If the second cycle course is owned by a first cycle programme, second cycle entry requirements apply.)
Exemption from the eligibility requirement: Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling these requirements.

Course specific prerequisites

Basic knowledge of physics and electromagnetic fields.

Aim

This course aims to efficiently introduce the main principles of laser physics and laser technology and to give a basic knowledge of the most commonly used laser types and their applications. After completing the course one will have achieved a rewarding understanding and overview of the basics of laser engineering as well as insight into the latest state-of-the-art developments of this technology.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)


● Describe qualitatively and quantitatively the function of a laser
● Predict the performance of a laser, regarding such aspects as output power, mode characteristics and dynamics
● Design a laser and/or choose a commercial laser with characteristics optimized for a given application
● Describe qualitatively a wide range of laser applications, including laser specification requirement, and discuss the use of a laser contra alternative system solutions
● Formulate specific safety limitations for exposure to laser radiation
● Operate and perform measurements on lasers including output power, mode characteristics and dynamics


 

Content

  • Coherence
  • Interaction of light and matter
  • General laser theory
  • The laser as an oscillator and amplifier
  • Saturation effects
  • Optical resonators: spatial modes, resonant frequencies, diffractive loss
  • Laser dynamics: relaxation oscillation, Q-pulsing, mode locking
  • Solid state lasers, gas lasers, liquid lasers
  • Tunable lasers
  • Semiconductor lasers
  • Laser safety aspects
  • Laser applications

Organisation

  • 11 two-hour lectures
  • 6 two-hour tutorial classes
  • 3 obligatory applications workshops
  • 2 obligatory four-hour laboratory exercises, with written laboratory reports
  • 6 home assignments which are not obligatory, but give bonus points on the written examination
  • 1 obligatory half-day study visits
  • 2 obligatory two-hour student-lead applications seminars
  • 1 obligatory oral and written report on laser applications

Literature

Either of the following two books:
● J.T. Verdeyen: Laser Electronics, 3rd ed., 1995, Prentice Hall.  
● B.E.A. Saleh and M.C. Teich: Fundamentals of Photonics , 2nd ed., 2007, Wiley. 


Additional material: Two booklets, "Laser Safety" and "Relaxation Oscillations" as well as Laboratory Exercise Manuals: available for printing from the course home page. Tutorial Exercises: will be available on the home page, with answers available after each tutorial.

Examination

Written exam with grades U, 3, 4, 5, including problem solving as well as descriptive questions. For passing the course, the requirements include at least 70% on the first exam question, on basic laser understanding, and at least 80% on the second exam question, on laser safety.

Two obligatory laboratory exercises, with written laboratory reports, which are graded and weighed in with 10% each in the final grade.

One obligatory oral and written report and obligatory participation in two student-lead application seminars and one study visit. The oral and written reports are graded and weighed in with 10% each in the final grade.

Page manager Published: Mon 28 Nov 2016.