PHS3051

Photons and information ( 6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr Imants Svalbe

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2006 (Day)

Synopsis: This unit provides part of a major in experimental physics. It consists of two 12-lecture sub-units, and laboratory work. The key areas for each sub-unit are: (1) Photonics: lasers, modulation and detection, optical waveguides, optical amplifiers, optical switches and photonic devices; (2) Synchrotron physics: physical mechanisms of radiation production, synchrotron light and experimental techniques, and Laboratory work: experiments, simulations and report presentation on relevant topics.

Objectives: On completion of this unit, students will be able to; understand fundamental concepts in photonics (including photon propagation and information transfer) and synchrotron physics (including synchrotron beam characteristics and applications of synchrotron radiation), apply a series of theoretical techniques related to these topics; extend mastery of this core to related subject areas of knowledge of particular interest to the student; perform a series of measurements on experiments related to the above topics; write up experimental reports, present, analyse and discuss results; present a short seminar on the implementation and results of a laboratory experiment.

Assessment: Examinations (2 x 1.5 hours): 48% + Laboratory work: 34% + Assignments: 18%

Contact Hours: An average of 2 hours lectures, one x 1.5 hour tutorial/workshop and 2.5 hours of laboratory work per week

Prerequisites: PHS2011, PHS2022, MTH2010, MTH2032