Photonic Materials and Devices

Course Description

Embark on an exciting journey into the world of nanophotonics with this advanced course on Photonic Materials and Devices. This comprehensive program delves into the fascinating realm of light manipulation at the nanoscale, exploring cutting-edge concepts in nanophotonics, plasmonics, and metamaterials. As a student, you'll gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art computational techniques used in current design and research efforts, equipping you with the skills to tackle real-world challenges in this rapidly evolving field.

What Students Will Learn

  • Mastery of computational techniques for nanophotonic design and research
  • Understanding of photonic bandstructures and their applications
  • Proficiency in transfer matrix methods for optical systems
  • Expertise in time-domain simulations using FDTD methods
  • Knowledge of finite-element methods for nanophotonic modeling
  • Applications in photovoltaics, thermal management, radiative control, and nonlinear optics

Pre-requisites

  • Background in physical sciences or engineering
  • Basic familiarity with Maxwell's equations (first-year physics level)
  • Working knowledge of integral and vector calculus
  • Understanding of basic linear algebra
  • Prior experience with basic programming techniques and algorithms (helpful but not required)

Course Coverage

  • Photonic bandstructures and crystals
  • Transfer matrices for ray and wave optics
  • Time-domain simulations using FDTD methods
  • Finite-element methods for nanophotonic modeling
  • Eigenvalue problems and fast Fourier transforms
  • Rigorous-coupled wave analysis
  • Applications in various fields of optics and photonics

Who This Course Is For

This course is ideal for graduate students and advanced undergraduates in physics, engineering, or related fields who are interested in incorporating nanophotonic techniques into their projects or thesis research. It's also valuable for professionals in the optics and photonics industry looking to expand their knowledge and skills in nanoscale light manipulation.

Real-World Applications

  • Designing more efficient solar cells and photovoltaic devices
  • Developing advanced thermal management systems
  • Creating novel optical devices for telecommunications and data processing
  • Improving medical imaging and sensing technologies
  • Innovating in the field of quantum computing and information processing
  • Advancing display technologies and augmented reality systems

Syllabus

Week 1-2:
Photonic Bandstructures
  • Bloch Theorem
  • 1D and 2D Bandstructures
  • Photonic Crystals
  • Simulation using MIT Photonic Bands (MPB)
Week 3:
Transfer Matrices
  • Ray Optical Matrices
  • Wave Optics Transfer Matrices and S-Matrices
  • Photonic Simulations
  • CAMFR
  • Metasurfaces
Week 4:
Time-Domain Simulations
  • Finite Difference Time Domain Method
  • MEEP: An FDTD Solver
  • Light Trapping in Photovoltaics
  • MEEP Resonators and Photonic Bandstructures
  • FDTD Validation Against Experiment
  • Local Density of States
Week 5:
Finite-Element Methods
  • Simulating Bandstructures in FDTD
  • Beam Propagation Method
  • Finite Element Method (FEM)
  • FEM Waveguide Mode Solver
  • Thermal Transport
  • FEM Modeling
  • Blackbody Radiation

This course is part of the edX/Purdue MicroMasters program in Nanoscience and Technology and can also apply toward a Master's Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University.