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:

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.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

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 1-3Review 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
2	Week 3Optical 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,
3	Week 4Electron-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
4	Week 5-6Photon-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 7-8Photon-photon processes and applications: Electromagnetic wave propagation, waveguide and fiber optics, light amplification, polarization and modulation, amplifier, modulators,	Group assignment 2
6	Weeks 8-11Optoelectronics integration: Design considerations for optoelectronic integrations, examples of various of integrated devices, circuits, and technologies, optical systems for communication	Group assignment 2

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities/tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Assignments	20 %	*	*	1,2,3,4
Labs and reports	15 %	20/09/2024	*	1,2,3,4
Group Assignment - research topic	5 %	*	*	1,2,3,4
Group project	20 %	25/10/2024	01/11/2024	5,6
Final exam	40 %	31/10/2024	15/11/2024	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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Academic Skills 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.

Participation

• Face-to face component which may consist of 3 x 1 hour lectures and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week.

• Approximately 82 hours of self directed study which will include preparation for lectures, lab work and other assessment tasks.

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 submitted by the end of the first week of teaching break (6 September)

Assignment 2: to be released in week 5 and submitted by the end of the second week of teaching break (13 September)

Every attempt will be made to return marked assignments/feedback approximately 1 week after submission.

Assessment Task 2

Labs and reports

Two written reports on:

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

Lab 1 will be carried out in week 4,

Lab 2 in week 5,

Lab 3 in week 6.

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

Every attempt will be made to return marked assignments/feedback approximately 1 week after submission.

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.

The presentation/assessment will be made in Week 7.

Assessment Task 4

Group project

The group assignment for the Integrated optics component of the unit is focused around a real world 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 use basic models that will be provided 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.

The report should be submitted by the end of Week 12

 

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. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

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. Extensions may be granted 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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students