Photonics and Lightwave Communications

This course provides an introduction to the state-of-the-art in photonic technology and systems, focusing on high performance fiber-optic telecommunication systems of silicon photonics. The basic physical principles and performance characteristics of optical fibers, lasers, detectors, optical amplifiers and dispersion management will be discussed. The design and performance analysis of photonic systems are presented. There are four participatory lab demonstrations exposing students to the components in a fiber optic communication link. In lieu of a final exam, students do a lab project or term paper, and class presentation.