Fundamentals of Semiconductor Optoelectronics and Photonics

The emphasis of this two-day course is on providing basic background material for understanding semiconductor optoelectronics as well as a clear understanding of the fundamental operating principles and state-of-the-art of diode lasers, LEDs, modulators and detectors. The course will also describe how devices are designed, produced, evaluated, handled and operated, and will present a comprehensive overview of currently available optoelectronic and photonic devices and discuss current areas of development. The course notes have been updated to ensure timeliness and relevance. This course will be of value to those working in the field of optics and to those using optoelectronic devices in all applications.

We offer this and all courses as On Site Training

This course will enable Participants to:
  • Explain the basic operating principles of semiconductor diode lasers, LEDs, modulators, detectors and related devices
  • Identify the various materials from which these devices are fabricated
  • Summarize currently-available laser and LED device types and their limitations
  • Describe typical device performance characteristics
  • Identify the various types of radiation detectors currently in use, and their figures of merit
  • Discuss optoelectronic device applications to telecom, datacom, sensing, measurement, data storage, biophotonics and biomedical, military, and materials working systems
  • Discuss recent optoelectronic device developments, including white LEDs, laser diodes, electroabsorption modulators, quantum cascade lasers, VCSELs, short-pulse diodes, blue lasers, red lasers, IR lasers, high power lasers and laser arrays, terahertz lasers, and a wide variety of current applications

What this Course Covers:
  • Intro to Semiconductor Optoelectronics & Materials
  • Review of Semiconductor Basics
  • Charge carriers and the PN Junction
  • Define minority carriers and Fermi-level semiconductors
  • Describe group IV, III-V, and II-VI semiconductors
  • Study bandgap and refractive index control by epitaxial growth
  • Explain strained-layer structures and superlattices
  • Summarize methods of growing nanostructure epitaxial films with monolayer control
  • Diode Lasers and LEDs: Basic Properties
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  • Explain basics of diode lasers and LEDs
  • Derive origin of laser modes
  • Device response speed limitations
  • Discuss optical confinement structures
  • Describe quantum wells, quantum wires and quantum dots. Introduce photonic lattice structures and their characteristics
  • Introduce photonic bandgap (photonic crystal) structure concepts
  • Distinguish between UV, visible, near-IR, mid-IR, longwear-IR, far-IR, and terahertz optodevices
  • Operation of Lasers and Modulators
  • Describe quantum well and quantum dot lasers
  • Discuss edge emitters and surface emitters (VCSELS)
  • Review high power laser arrays and their uses
  • Explain DFB and DBR lasers
  • Describe Quantum Cascade Lasers
  • Present commercially available lasers and reliability
  • Explain electroabsorption modulators
  • Optical Radiation Detectors and Applications
  • Discuss the photon detection mechanism
  • Review detector materials and spectral properties
  • Present detector figures of merit
  • Describe photoconductors and photodiodes
  • Discuss operation of PIN, APD and QWIP devices
  • Describe thermal images
  • Review operation and use of CCDs

Who Should Attend?
  • Engineers
  • Scientists
  • Technicians
  • Managers
  • Librarians
  • Those working in the field of optics and to those using optoelectronic devices in all applications.
This course includes a course manual with color illustrations.


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