EE 320 - Introduction to Electro-Optical Engineering

Designation:

Junior-level technical elective for Electrical Engineering students

Catalog Data:

One of the fundamental areas for electrical and computer engineering majors (student chooses 3 of 5 areas).

Prerequisites by topic:

1. Skill with vector calculus and capability to perform matrix algebra.
2. Understanding of concepts of E&M Fields and their interaction with dielectric materials and familiarity with Maxwell’s Equations.
3. Understanding should be at the level of EE330 or equivalent.
4. Understanding of basic geometrical optics from Physics 202 or equivalent

Course Objectives:

This course provides the foundational education in optical engineering analysis and design. Through the lectures, in-class demonstrations, out-of-class curious observer assignments, and homework problem solutions, the students are provided learning experiences that enable them to:

1. Develop understanding of electromagnetic waves and scattering processes as light interacts with matter. Expand the students learning experience knowledge of electromagnetic theory and Maxwell’s equations by exploring applications to the optical spectrum.
2. Examine the description of light wave scattering at an interface and discover the ability to calculate results using Fresnel coefficients.
3. Gain capability to design and model simple optical systems by mastering the elements of geometrical optics. Apply that ability to understand several types of optical instruments, including microscopes, telescopes, and fiber optics.
4. Explore the ways of generating and describing polarized light. Understand the behavior and use of wave plates and examine their application in EO switches and devices.
5. Examine interference phenomena and understand the operation of several types of interferometers. Apply the interference concepts to understand Fraunhofer diffraction and use far field diffraction calculations to describe single and multiple slit diffraction, including gratings.
6. Understand how a laser operates.
7. Become a curious observer through observer assignments to encourage lifetime learning.

Topics:

1. Wave description of light (2 classes)
2. Review of Maxwell’s Equations with emphasis on physical interpretation and meaning behind the mathematical statements, and use Maxwell’s equations to derive the differential wave equation (4 classes)
3. Concepts of wave and corpuscular interaction of photons (2 classes)
4. Electromagnetic wave description of reflection and refraction (2 classes)
5. Fresnel coefficients (2 classes)
6. Geometrical Optics, Ray Tracing Models, Optical Instruments, Aberrations (5 classes)
7. Fiber Optics (1 class)
8. Polarization, E-O devices, Waveplates and Rotators (3 classes)
9. Interference, Interferometers, Coatings and Films, Filters, AR coatings (3 classes)
10. Fraunhofer Diffraction (2 classes)
11. Introduction to Lasers (2 classes)

Class/laboratory schedule:

Two 75-minute lectures each week, three evening exams, and one evening tour of optics research laboratory

Computer Usage:

Ray trace program made available for solution of multi-element optical system

Laboratory projects and assignments:

Curious observer assignments are used to encourage thinking and visualization of optical problems. Students are given a polarizer and lenses for out-of-class investigations of polarized light and simple geometrical systems.

Contribution to meeting the professional component:

This course provides the prerequisite foundation for a wide range of senior courses (EE 412, EE 414, EE 420 and EE 422) which focus on possible career paths in Optical Fiber Communications, Laser Applications, Electro-optical Devices, and Optical Engineering.

Relationship to program outcome:

1. Graduates will have in-depth technical knowledge optical engineering as an area of specialization. [Ref: Outcome O.3.1.]
2. Graduates will have practical understanding of the major electrical engineering concepts and demonstrate application of their theoretical knowledge of the concepts through their use of Maxwell’s equations applied to optical engineering topics. [Ref: Outcome O.3.2.]
3. Graduates will develop an appreciation of life-long learning from the experiences gained in the ‘curious observer’ assignments. [Ref: Outcome O.4.2.]
4. Graduates will possess oral and written communication skills which are developed by requiring writing of concise sentences as answers on each exam. [Ref: Outcome O.5.2.]