This course builds on the basic knowledge of both fundamental physics and state-of-the-art technologies for optoelectronic components and fibre optics, in order to understand their important applications in optical communications and energy conversions that influence our society and everyday life. The course will include the introductions to various physical processes for optical transitions, operation principles of key optoelectronic devices including lasers, photodetectors, modulators and solar cells, functionalities of optical interconnect and signal transmission as well as the basic design consideration for on-chip optical processor and optoelectronic integrated circuits.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the fundamental physical processes of optoelectronic transitions and apply the concepts to different optoelectronic devices
2. Define, in depth, the principles/functionality of the most important optoelectronic devices, compare and evaluate the different device designs
3. Perform modeling to analyze the physics behind semiconductor optoelectronic devices
4. Develop and utilize laboratory skills on semiconductor based device fabrication and characterization, perform data analysis and evaluate the device performance
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic design requirements for optoelectronic integration and identify different material and design elements to accomplish an on-chip optical processor or a simple optical communication system
6. Build a simple integrated optoelectronic device/setup from various components, perform measurement, interpret the acquired data, analyze and solve problems
7. Identify current research themes and technologies in the field of optoelectronic devices and integration, study the relevant literatures and present a critical analysis of the results.

Research-Led Teaching

Research-led teaching will be included in this course through lectures on review of related research field and progress, and group assignments on various research topics.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class and working pairs

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Please note, that where there are multiple assessment tasks of the same type, e.g weekly quizzes, a date range is used in the Assessment Summary. The first date is the approximate due date of the first task, the return date is the approximate return date for the final task. Further information is provided in the assessment section of the class summary, and details are provided on the course wattle site

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Weeks 1-3 Review on semiconductor fundamentals: Short refreshment on semiconductor basics including electronic states, energy bands, density of states, semiconductor structures and alloys, heterostructures, pn junctions, semiconductor material growth, processing and device fabrication technology	Assignment 1, lab. 1-3
2	Week 3 Optical properties and processes: Theoretical background for optical transitions in semiconductors, including selection rules for optical transition, interband transitions, intraband transition, absorption, recombination	Assignment 2&3, lab. 1-3
3	Week 4 Electron-photon processes and applications: Carrier injection and radiative recombination, simultaneous/stimulated emission, LEDs, semiconductor lasers, static and dynamic properties, examples of various advanced laser structures	Assignment 2, lab. 1, group assignment 1
4	Week 5-6 Photon-electron processes and applications: Photoconductivity, photoconductive detectors, photodiodes, APDs, advanced photodetectors, photovoltaic effect, solar cells, examples of various advanced solar cell concepts and technology	Assignment 3, lab. 2&3, group assignment 1
5	Weeks 7-8 Photon-photon processes and applications: Electromagnetic wave propagation, waveguide and fiber optics, light amplification, polarization and modulation, amplifier, modulators,	Group assignment 2
6	Weeks 8-11 Optoelectronics integration: Design considerations for optoelectronic integrations, examples of various of integrated devices, circuits, and technologies, optical systems for communication	Group assignment 2

Tutorial Registration

Students will need to sign up for labs via the PHYS8017 wattle page

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Assignments	20 %	16/08/2019	06/09/2019	1,2,3,4
Labs and reports	15 %	16/08/2019	20/09/2019	1,2,3,4
Group Assignment - research topic	5 %	22/08/2019	17/09/2019	1,2,3,4
Group project	20 %	27/09/2019	27/10/2019	5,6
Final exam	40 %	31/10/2019	28/11/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Examination(s)

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held and results returned to the student (official end of Semester results released on ISIS). Students should consult the course wattle site and the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Assessment Task 1

Assignments

Two assignments consisting of a number of questions to reinforce the concepts of key physical processes in optoelectronic materials and devices.

Assignment 1: to be released in week 4 and returned by the end of the first week of teaching break

Assignment 2: to be released in week 5 and returned by the end of the second week of teaching break

Assessment Task 2

Labs and reports

Two written reports on:

1. Material epitaxial growth and optical characterisation; and
2. device fabrication and characterisation

Lab report 1 will be carried out in week 4,

Lab report 2 in week 5 and

Lab report 3 in week 6.

Lab report 1 and lab reports 2&3 (combined) report will both be returned by the end of week 7 

Assessment Task 3

Group Assignment - research topic

Two students will group to perform literature review on a research topic of their choice selected from a list of topics. They will present a 5 minute oral presentation on the research topic. The task will be marked on the quality of the ppt (content and presentation) as well as the delivery of the oral presentation.

Assessment Task 4

Group project

The group assignment for the Integrated optics component of the unit is focused around a real wold design and build exercise. Students will be tasked with the design of an integrated optics sensor unit, for which a set of specifications is provided. The task is then to write a basic model for the components, design the sub-units, and bring them together and show that the design meets the specification. The second part of the project then sees students use the Laser Physics Centre Clean Room to build the components using Photolithographic processing, and then to test the components in the optical test lab. The assessment is based around submission of a report in the form of an Optics Express paper covering background, introduction to the problem, design, experimental results, and reconciliation of design to experiment to provide experience of authoring papers.

 

Assessment Task 5

Final exam

Please refer to the Examinations timetable and the PHYS8017 Wattle page for exam scheduling.

The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location exam.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

The assignments should all be returned via Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Re-submission will not be permitted unless approved by the course lecturer. 

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students