Module: Quantum Electronics

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Quantum Electronics
Module Code	PHY1058 (ITS: PS407)
Faculty	Physical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The purpose of this module is to give students a working knowledge of (1) the theory and operation of lasers and (2) some optical phenomena related to and made possible by laser radiation. In particular, non-linear optical effects and effects employed in the modulation of optical radiation are treated.

Learning Outcomes

1. Outline the fundamentals of the electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with matter
2. Explain the theory of the optical oscillator to include resonator optics and the physics of the laser amplifier with selected examples of gas and solid state lasers.
3. Describe the principles of pulsed laser operation to include Q-switching (ns lasers), mode-locking (ps lasers) and pulse chirped amplification (fs lasers)
4. Outline the principles of electro-optics applied to laser systems
5. Outline the principles of non-linear optics to include laser based applications

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	30	In class education
Independent Study	75	Learning of course material
Assignment Completion	20	Project work: research of material, interim report and presentation, final report and presentation
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11377	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC3	Best Mark	Y
Module Co-ordinator	John Costello	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
In Class Test	2 x in-class tests, each of value 10% = total 20%.	20%	As required
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	80%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Lecture Series 1
Wave optics, the Gaussian beam, higher order Gaussian beams; electromagnetic optics, anisotropic media, the polarization ellipse, normal modes, crystal optics, the index ellipse, the wave retarder.

Lecture Series 2
The optical resonator, plane, spherical, unstable resonators

Lecture Series 3
Shape and width of spectral lines, natural linewidth, collisional and Doppler broadening

Lecture Series 4
Theory of the laser, the amplifier gain, bandwidth, non-linearity, gain saturation, the oscillator: gain and threshold conditions, spectral and spatial distributions, hole burning.

Lecture series 5
Pulsed lasers, Q-switching, mode-locking, chirped pulse amplification

Lecture Series 6
Electro-optics: Pockels effect and its applications

Lecture Series 7
Non-linear optics

Indicative Reading List

Books:

B.E. Saleh and M.C. Teich: 0, Fundamentals of Photonics B.E. Saleh and M.C. Teich, 1st (1991) or 2nd edition (2007), Chapter 3, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 18 and 19 (1991 edition), Wiley Interscience,
A. Yariv: 1989, Quantum Electronics, 2nd Edition, Chapters 6-11, 16, 20, John Wiley and Sons,
A. Yariv: 1991, Optical Electronics, 1st Edition, 1, 2 and 4-9, Saunders HBJ,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

www.physics.dcu.ie/~jtc: John Costello, 2019, Quantum Electronics Lecture Notes, Dublin City University, www.physics.dcu.ie/~jtc (Look for PS407 Lectures Notes)

The module has an 80/20 split. I can't seem to change the 75/25 field under assessments ?