FY801: Laser physics and laser spectroscopy (5 ECTS)

STADS: 07004001

Level
Master's level course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.

Teacher responsible
Email: vvp@sdu.dk

Additional teachers
rle@mmmi.sdu.dk
job@iti.sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Prerequisites:
None.

Academic preconditions:
Students taking the course are expected to:

• Have some knowledge of basic classical mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics.
• Be able to use elementary mathematics to handle model descriptions based on physical laws.

Course introduction
In this course the students will get a basic understanding of the physics of lasers, their unique properties and potential for applications in optical spectroscopy. The course is aimed to give students practical skills and certain degree of confidence for working with lasers and/or using laser-based equipment in future.

The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses FY503, FY506, FY521. FY522 and gives an academic basis for studying advanced topics in laser spectroscopy/quantum optics and writing a master thesis on related topics.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:

• Give the competence to perform extended experimental investigations, critically analyse the  data and write proper reports
• Give practical skills to work with complex problems and advanced experimental equipment in a scientific lab
• Give knowledge and understanding of basic principles of laser physics and laser spectroscopy

Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course are that the student demonstrates the ability to:

• Explain and use most basic principles of laser physics and laser spectroscopy
• Determine the wavelength of a laser
• Determine the spectral bandwidth of a laser using Fabry-Perot interferometer
• Measure the internal divergence of a laser beam
• Investigate the mode structure of a laser
• Construct a simple dye laser and make it tunable
• Convert the laser wavelength using technique of frequency doubling
• Propose different ways to apply laser light in spectroscopic experiments

Subject overview
The principles of lasers. The use of lasers in different areas of physics, and spectroscopy with lasers compared to other forms of spectroscopy. The first 3-5 weeks will introduce the background theory in lectures (a total of 20 hours). The experimental part consists of a number of experimental projects done in groups of 3-4 students, in non-scheduled, but individually planned sessions, a total of 30 hours in the laboratories. The final report will account for the rest of the credits. The key experiments deal with: the properties of continuous lasers with a fixed wavelength and lasers with variable wavelengths; capabilities and fabrication of pulsed lasers; second harmonic generation; fabrication and use of dye lasers for spectroscopic measurements; the use of lasers for characterization of e.g. metallic nanostructures.

Literature

• Demtröder: Laser Spectroscopy, Springer.
• Hecht, E: Optics, Addison-Wesley.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:

1. Oral examination based on report prepared by the candidate, graded according to the 7-point grading scale, internal censorship. (5 ECTS). (07004002).

Re-examination in the same exam period or immediately thereafter. The examination type at re-examination may differ from the one at the ordinary examination.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
Intro phase: 22 hours
Skills training phase: 32 hours, hereof:
 - Tutorials: 2 hours
 - Laboratory exercises: 30 hours
 - Excursion: 2 hours

Educational activities
Activities during the study phase:

• Self-study of the textbook and notes
• Lab experiments
• Experimental data analysis
• Writing reports for lab experiments
• Preparation for the exam (making short presentations for exam questions related to lab experiments)

Educational form

Language
This course is taught in Danish or English, depending on the lecturer. However, if international students participate, the teaching language will always be English.

Remarks
The course is held in co-operation with Faculty of Engineering:
René Lynge Eriksen, Lektor, Ph.D.
Tlf.: 6550 7393 Email: rle@iti.sdu.dk
Jonas Beermann, Lektor, Ph.D.
Tlf.: 6550 7344 Email: job@iti.sdu.dk

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.