ECEN 5015 Nanophotonics

General Information

Objective  This course is designed to introduce the latest developments in the newly emerging field of nanophotonics. The students will gain understanding of the fundamental physics governing the interaction between light and nanoscale materials. The students will also be exposed to the various novel optical phenomena observable in the nanoscale and their applications. Specific topics to be discussed will include photonic crystals, plasmonics, metamaterials and quantum emitters in nanostructures. 

Instructor  Prof. Won Park

Office  Engineering Center, EE 248

Phone  303-735-3601

Email  won.park@colorado.edu

Lecture Hours  9:00 – 9:50am MWF, ECCR 118

Office Hours By appointments

Prerequisite  Undergraduate-level Electromagnetics Course (ECEN 3400 or equivalent) is required. Graduate-level Electromagntic Waves or Optics courses are desired.

Grading  Howmwork: 2 x 15%, Mid-term exam: 30%, Final term paper: 40%

Canvas  All course materials including class slides, homework and grades will be posted on Canvas.

Numerical Simulations  Students will have full access to a simulation tool Lumerical to model various nanostructures and optical phenomena. 

References 

  • Photonic Crystals: Molding the Flow of Light, Second Ed., J. D. Joannopoulos, S. G. Johnson, J. N. Winn, R. D. Meade (Princeton University Press, 2008).
  • Optical Properties of Photonic Crystals, K. Sakoda (Springer 2001)
  • Plasmonics: Fundamentals and Applications, Stefan A. Maier (Springer, 2007)
  • Surface Plasmons on Smooth and Rough Surfaces and on Gratings, H. Raether (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1986)
  • Optical Properties of Metal Clusters, U. Kreibig and M. Vollmer (Springer 1995)
  • Waves in Metamaterials, L. Solymar and E. Shamonia (Oxford, 2009)
  • Metamaterials: Physics and Engineering Explorations, N. Engheta and R. W. Ziolkowski (IEEE Press, 2006)
  • Principles of Nano-Optics, Second Edition, L. Novotny and B. Hecht (Cambridge University Press, 2012)
  • Optical Interactions in Solids, Second Edition, B. Di Bartolo (World Scientific, 2010)

 

Course Topics

  1. Photonic Crystals
    • Electromagnetic wave in periodic medium
    • 1D photonic crystals:
      • photonic band gap
      • omnidirectional reflector
    • 2D photonic crystals:
      • photonic crystal waveguides,
      • microcavity,
    • 3D photonic crystals:
      • self-assembled photonic crystal,
      • holographically fabricated photonic crystal.
  2. Plasmonics
    • Optics in metal
    • Surface plasmon polariton
    • Localized surface plasmon
    • Plasmonic enhancement of optical processes
    • Phonon polariton
  3. Metamaterials
    • Effective medium theory
    • Negative refractive index
    • Metasurface
  4. Light-matter interaction in nanostructures
    • Symmetry in physics
    • Group representation theory
    • Electronic structures in complex atoms
    • Optical processes in complex atoms
    • Quantum emitters in nanostructures

 

Term Paper

Students are asked to select a specific topic of your interest (relevant to nanophotonics, of course), conduct literature survey to learn the state of the art, and then develop their own narratives and conclusions. The term paper must be more than a mere summary of research articles. Developing one’s own analytical solutions, conducting simulations, proposing alternative methods, etc. are strongly encouraged. Some examples of specific questions one might want to address in the term paper include:

  • What are the main research problem(s) your term paper intends to address?
  • What is the proposed solution? Describe advantages and disadvantages relative to other known solutions.
  • What is the significance of the research problems and solutions described in your term paper?
  • Provide the historical perspective - how has the understanding of the field changed over time?
  • What are important scientific and/or technological developments that influenced this field?
  • Provide references helpful in clarifying the necessary background. Do the references allow for a clear understanding of the problem under consideration?
  • To what degree the proposed solution addresses the research question? What are the possible future directions of further development?

Term paper must be written according to a professional journal format (e.g. IEEE journals, Physical Review Letters or Journal the Optical Society of America). Begin with a brief but informative title followed by abstract, text, and references. Text should contain introduction and conclusion/summary at the beginning and end, respectively. Maximum length is 6 pages and students are asked to consult the instructor if the length limit cannot be met. Figures/tables should be placed within the text close to where they are cited or discussed.

Abstract is due Friday Feb. 21 and term paper is due Friday Apr. 17.

Students are also requested to prepare a presentation on the term paper subject. Presentations will be given on Apr. 27 – 30.