Learning objectives
At the end of the course the students will be able to:
− understand the importance of conventional optical fibers as basic components for photonic devices, such as sensors and lasers, with great impact on the market at present;
− understand the importance of photonic crystal fibers, which are still an exciting research subject all over the world, for next generation of photonic devices;
− analyze the properties of optical fibers with a numerical method;
− summarize the main results of a numerical analysis.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
During the first part of the course photonic crystal fibers will be illustrated, with a detailed description of their distinguishing characteristics with respect to conventional optical fibers, in particular of the different light guiding mechanisms, which make them particularly suitable for important applications.
Optical fiber lasers will be the subject of the lessons in the second part of the course. Most common configurations, main parameters to characterize the performances and most important present and future applications will be presented in detail.
The last part of the course will be devoted to a thorough study of point and distributed optical fiber sensors, with particular attention to working principles, practical applications, and products already available on the market or still subject of intense research worldwide.
Some lessons of the course will be devoted to simulation activities.
Seminars could integrate the course programme.
Full programme
Each class corresponds to 2 hours
CLASS 1: Photonic technologies of 21st century
Standard optical fibers:
CLASS 2: Main properties and light guiding mechanism
CLASS 3: Guided modes
CLASS 4: Dispersion curve of the guided modes, single-mode and multi-mode regime
CLASS 5: Weakly guiding approximation and pseudo-modes LP
CLASS 6: Optical fibers for long-haul communications
Photonic crystal fibers:
CLASS 7: Photonic crystals and their properties, introduction to photonic crystal fibers
CLASS 8: Light guiding mechanisms of photonic crystal fibers
CLASS 9: Main properties and applications of photonic crystal fibers
Optical fiber lasers:
CLASS 10: Laser working principle, different laser types and their applications
CLASS 11: Configurations, pumping schemes and doping element for optical fiber lasers
CLASS 12: Performances of high-power fiber lasers
CLASS 13: Limits of high-power fiber lasers
CLASS 14: Active and passive fibers for high-power fiber lasers, main applications and role in the market
CLASS 15: Laser processing with high-power fiber laser sources
Point and distributed optical fiber sensors:
CLASS 16: Main characteristics and properties, working principle, classifications, advantages and disadvantages, significant applications of optical fibers sensors
CLASS 17: Intensity-based sensors
CLASS 18: Spectrum-based sensors
CLASS 19: Sensor multiplexing
CLASS 20: Distributed sensors
Numerical simulation:
CLASS 21: Introduction to numerical simulations of step-index fibers
CLASS 22: Calculation of the guided mode dispersion curve
CLASS 23: Numerical simulations of large mode area fibers
CLASS 24: Numerical simulations of photonic crystal fibers
Bibliography
F. Poli, A. Cucinotta, S. Selleri, “Photonic crystal fibers: properties and applications”, Springer, 2007
R. Paschotta, “Encyclopedia of laser physics and technology”, Wiley, 2008
E. Udd, “Fiber optic sensors: an introduction for engineers and scientists”, Wiley, 1991
S. Selleri, L. Vincetti, A. Cucinotta, “Optical and Photonic Components”, Esculapio, 2015
Scientific papers suggested during the lessons of the course.
Teaching methods
The teaching activities include lessons carried out using multimedia presentations, videos/images and web pages (40 hours). In addition, practice lessons are planned, with simulation activities carried out using a software for the calculation of guided modes in conventional optical fibers (8 hours).
Lessons are offered online in a synchronous mode (using Teams). During the lessons, frontal teaching alternates with moments of discussion with the students. Moreover, videos of the lessons are uploaded to the Elly web-site of the course, so that students can follow them also in an asynchronous mode.
The slides of the presentations shown during the lessons are uploaded to the Elly web site of the course. The registration to the course is necessary to download the slides. Please notice that the presentations are considered an essential part of the teaching material.
Students who are not attending to the course should periodically check the teaching material and the information provided by the instructor on the Elly web site.
Assessment methods and criteria
The learning assessment is made with an oral exam based on
− questions on the topics developed during the lectures, with the aim to verify the learning level of the student;
− questions about the numerical simulation activity carried on during the practice lessons, with the aim to verify the ability of the student to summarize and present the main results of a numerical analysis.
The oral exam is evaluated in the range 0/30 according to accuracy, completeness and clarity. The mark of the oral exam is communicated to the student at the end of the oral test.
The online registration to the exam is mandatory and it is possible until three days before the exam date.
If, in case of persistence of the health emergency, it will be necessary to do online exams, the oral exam will be online using Teams. The oral exam will be the same as the one done in presence.
Further information about the examination procedure will be given to the students during the lessons and made available on the Elly web-site of the course.
Students are invited to read carefully all the guides available in the section “Oral exam” of the web-site http://selma.unipr.it/ before participating to the online exams.
Other information
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