Introduction to Photonics Course Overview

Jul 28, 2024

Introduction to Photonics

Instructor Introduction

  • Instructor: Balaji Srinivasan
  • Focus of the lecture: Overview of the course and the significance of photonics

Why Photonics?

  • Photonics is a key driver for the 21st century
  • Supported by over 20 Nobel prizes awarded for photonics-related research since 2000

Applications of Photonics

  • Everyday Use:

    • Optical communication
    • Lighting
    • Cameras in mobile phones
    • Solar energy collection
  • Modern Applications:

    • Autonomous driving
    • Virtual and augmented reality
    • Structural health monitoring
    • Brain imaging
    • Gesture recognition (human-machine interaction)

Understanding Photonics

  • Definition:
    • Similar to electronics but focuses on photons, the quantized form of light
    • Involves:
      • Generating photons
      • Manipulating photons
      • Detecting photons

Course Structure

  • Comprises three modules that cover:
    • Generation of photons
    • Manipulation of photons
    • Detection of photons

Intended Audience

  • Targeted at students with a high school background in optics
  • Prepares students for advanced courses such as:
    • Fiber-optic communication
    • Integrated optics
    • Bio photonics
  • Course serves as a bridge between high school knowledge and advanced topics

Conclusion

  • Encouragement to join the course for an exciting journey in understanding light and its unlimited potential
  • Additional questions can be directed to the course website.