Optoelectronic Devices

Learning objectives

- Derive laser oscillation equations and evolution equations for charge carriers and photons
- Explain the physical principles underlying semiconductor lasers
- List the common cavity structures used in laser design and describe their spectral response
- List the different classes of electro-optical modulators used in optical communication systems
- Explain each class' typical response in terms of linearity, bandwidth, phase-amplitude coupling
- Describe the main optoelectronic receiver types and their typical performances
- Derive wave guiding conditions in a dielectric waveguide, list mode categories, calculate the number of guided modes in a step-index planar structure
- Characterise the first few modes of an optical fibre; derive mode-coupling equations in a simple case (directional coupler or Bragg coupler)
- Acquire a strong knowledge of semiconductor laser dynamics; grasp nonlinear problematics and apply them to future communication systems
- Acquire knowledge of inter-sub-band devices. Explain the main differences between inter-band and inter-sub-band lasers. Acquire strong knowledge of applications, fabrication techniques, pros and cons of inter-sub-band devices