MAT ENG 7104 - Engineering of Optical Materials

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course will introduce fundamental and applied principles of materials for optical engineering. This will include photonic crystal structures, principles of light-matter interactions and light modulation and control. The course will cover fundamental and applied concepts of photonics engineering, and will be delivered through a combination of lectures and tutorials. The course should highlight the significance of optical materials engineering in modern society, and contextualise the selection of engineering materials on the basis of their characteristics and end use applications.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MAT ENG 7104
    Course Engineering of Optical Materials
    Coordinating Unit Materials Engineering
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Assignments, quizzes, tests, final examination
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Abel Santos

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1 Understand fundamentals of light-matter interactions, polarisation, superposition, reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, the electromagnetic spectrum, light sources and safety, blackbody radiation, and telecommunications via optical fibres.
    2 Understand the basic properties of optical materials to be able to perform the right selection of materials for specific photonics industrial applications.
    3 Discuss the basic engineering principles of optical engineering processes.
    4 Apply optical analysis and select appropriate materials for specific optical applications.
    5 Demonstrate the basic aspects of advanced optical materials and their applications.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1-5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-5

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1-5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Course slides
    Recommended Resources
    Fundamentals of Photonics Parts I and II, Saleh and Teich
    Online Learning
    Videos of lectures will be posted on MyUni on a regular basis throughout the course
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course is delivered in a mixture format of online lectures, and face to face workshops and tutorials.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Lectures (24 h contact and 75 h workload)
    Tutorials (24 h contact and 75 h workload)
    Total contact hours 48 h
    Total workload hours 150 h
    Learning Activities Summary
    The course is divided into eight topics:
    1 - Introduction
    2 - Light sources and safety
    3 - Geometrical optics
    4 - Physical optics
    5 - Optical detectors
    6 - Optical waveguides and fibres
    7 - Fibre optic telecommunication
    8 - Photonic devices for imaging, display and storage
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Hurdle? Learning Outcome
    Assignments 30 TBD 30 NA 1-5
    2 mid-term exams 30 TBD 30 NA 1-5
    Final exam 40 TBD 40 NA 1-5
    I will give you more specific details about what you can expect in these tests as we progress through the course. All assessments will be  submitted via MyUni, using the online protocol.
    Assessment Detail
    Assessments will be individual and based on problems focused on applying the different concepts seen throughout the course.
    Mid-term test will consist of short questions about the theoretical contents seen in the course.

    Submission
    Assignment submissions will be performed online, through MyUni.Mid-term test submissions will be performed in class (for students on-campus) and online (for students overseas)
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.