6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
School of Physics and Astronomy
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Synopsis
This unit consists of laboratory work and three 8-lecture sub-units:
- Photonics: lasers and coherent light, modulation devices, optical waveguides, interference and holography, fibre optic communications, transmission and coupling to hardware and software devices, applications.
- Synchrotron Physics: Emission of radiation from relativistic charges in particle accelerators, synchrotron radiation from bending magnets and insertion devices, imaging techniques unique to synchrotrons.
- Optics: wave propagation and image formation, plane waves, diffraction, angular spectrum, phase contrast, interferometry, holography, focused fields and the singularity hierarchy.
- Laboratory work: experimental laboratory work on relevant topics.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
- Describe concepts and perform calculations in Synchrotron Physics, which include the production of synchrotron radiation and x-ray optics, and its application to spectroscopy, imaging, scattering and crystallography.
- Describe concepts and perform calculations in Optics, which include vacuum wave equations for the electromagnetic field, Fourier optics, holography, Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction.
- Describe concepts and perform calculations in Photonics, which include integrated photonics, detectors, waveguides and non-linear optics, with applications to optical communications.
- Perform measurements and analysis on experiments that demonstrate the theoretical physics described in this and other physics units.5. Produce experimental reports that present results, analyse and discuss the implications and outcomes of experimental work.
Assessment
Examination (3 hours): 46% + Laboratory work: 34% + Assignments: 20% + Hurdle requirement: Students must achieve a pass mark in the practical component to achieve an overall pass grade.
Workload requirements
- Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week
- An average of two hours in the laboratory per week
- Seven hours of independent study per week
See also Unit timetable information