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PH5181   Photonics Laboratory 1

Academic year(s): 2023-2024

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 15

ECTS credits : 7

Level : SCQF level 11

Semester: 1

The photonics teaching laboratory gives training in the experimental photonics, and allows students the opportunity to explore photonics practically in a series of chosen open-ended investigations. Students use their knowledge and skills from the lecture modules, supplemented by additional reading, to investigate relevant photonic effects. Phase I involves work in small groups in introductory areas, then phase II allows primarily individual investigation of topics such as the second harmonic generation, optical parametric oscillation, erbium amplifiers, Nd lasers, optical tweezers, spectroscopy, remote sensing of speed, Brag reflectors, and holography.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Admission pre-requisite

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 3 x 3.5 hr practicals

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%


Re-assessment: No Re-Assessment available, lab-based module

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr B D Sinclair

Additional information from school

Aims & Objectives

  • To give students training and experience in designing, carrying out, evaluating, and reporting on experimental aspects of photonics.
  • To provide an environment where students can explore aspects of photonics.

 

Learning Outcomes

  • A deep knowledge of photonics
  • An improved ability to use experimental kit of relevance to photonics
  • An improved ability to plan and use experiment, computation, and reading to explore science
  • An improved ability to report and discuss aspects of experimental investigations and associated science
  • An improved ability in generic skills such as planning experiments, risk assessment, record keeping, data handling and evaluation, uncertainty analysis, drawing evidence-based conclusions, identifying useful further work.

 

Synopsis

  • Introduction
  • Work on exploring laser power and modes
  • Wrk on key aspects of experimental optics
  • Training in use of Matlab for mathematical modelling and exploration of photonics
  • Student-chosen individually-carried-out experimental investigations
  • Communication of outcomes through discussion, lab books

 

Pre-requisites

Admission to the CDT Applied Photonics programme within the School

 

Anti-requisites

None

 

Assessment

Coursework = 100%

 

Additional information on continuous assessment etc.

Please see the CDT Applied Photonics St Andrews Handbook

 

Recommended Books

Please view University online record: http://resourcelists.st-andrews.ac.uk/modules/ph5181.html

 

General information

Please see information in the Handbook for CDT students in Photonics.