Course Websites

• Microelectronics and Photonics

Prerequisites: (ECE455 or ECE572) and (PHY486 or ECE487 or equivalent course in quantum mechanics)

Nanophotonics is the fusion of nanotechnology and photonics and is a contemporary topic of research with many emerging applications. Understanding the optical properties of nanometer-scale structures of dielectrics, semiconductors, and metals will be crucial for future optoelectronic devices and technology. This course will examine the quantum mechanical interaction between light and materials, including plasmonics, cavity electrodynamics, polarition cavity condensation, sub-wavelength structures, metamaterials, and applications.

I. Photons, Electrons, & Dielectrics: dispersion & density of states, complex dielectric constant, Fresnel equations

II. Phonons: classical oscillators, quantum harmonic oscillators, Raman/Brillouin scattering

III. Absorption: interband transitions, indirect transitions, quasi-particles

IV. Emission: interband recombination, Rabi oscillations, spontaneous emission

V. Dielectric Confinement: quantum wells & wires, planar & channel waveguides, quantum dots

VI. Metallic Optic: surface plasmon, plasmonic applications, metallic nanoparticles

VII. Resonant Scattering: Rayleigh & Mie nonresonant scattering, photonic crystals & bandgaps, high contrast gratings

VIII. Subwavelength Materials & Interaction: weak/strong cavity coupling, metamaterialstopological photonics