L.048.62026 Top­ics in Sys­tems En­gin­eer­ing (for Mas­ter ESE), winter semester 2020/2021

­For students in the ESE program it is compulsory to do a Topics in System Engineering course during their master degree. It is offered by several groups in the electrical engineering department (see PAUL). In the TET group, we offer topics with a focus on numerical methods, simulation, electromagnetic fields, photonics. To pass this course you have to read on a subject as decided upon at the beginning of the semester. You will be given some initial references; it is expected that you do further literature research (beyond Wikipedia) on your own. At the end of the semester you give a short presentation on the topic, and you hand in a brief written report. The idea is that you learn to independently familiarize yourself with complex topics, and to practice presenting your knowledge. To help you in this process, we will schedule a few individual meetings during the semester; you are welcome for further questions in between.

To do this course in our group, please select a first, second, and third preference among the topics in the list below. Each topic is for one person only (no groups). Send an email with your choices to Dr. Manfred Hammer, before Monday, November 02, 09:00. We will collect your selections and distribute the available topics among the candidates, as far as possible according to your preferences. You will be notified about your assignment by email. Once you got a confirmation, please do not forget to register for the course in PAUL. 

We will meet with all students on Wednesday, November 11, at 13:00 in a video conference (probably either Jitsi or BBB) where further details of the course will 
be discussed. You will receive an e-mail invitation in advance.

The following topics are offered in the winter term 2020/2021: 

1. Modes of dielectric integrated optical waveguides
   Keywords: waveguide concepts; Maxwell equations, equations for guided modes; specialization: multilayer slab waveguides, TE / TM modes, outlook: methods for waveguides with 2-D confinement.
   Literature (starting point): R. Maerz, Integrated Optics - Design and Modeling, 3.2, 3.8 and prerequisites; K. Okamoto, Fundamentals of Optical Waveguides, 1, 2.1 and prerequisites.
    
2. Cylindrical optical fibres
   Keywords: fibre concepts, theory: modes of circular step-index fibres, application examples, outlook: more recent concepts.
   Literature (starting point): A.W. Snyder, J.D. Love, Optical Waveguide Theory, 12.8-12.10 and prerequisites, K. Okamoto, Fundamentals of Optical Waveguides, 3.1-3.6 and prerequisites.
    
3. Coupled Mode Theory
   Keywords: Motivation, ansatz, derivation of coupled mode equations, co- and contradirectional coupling, solutions; examples / applications.
   Literature (starting point): K. Okamoto, Fundamentals of Optical Waveguides, 4, 4.1-4.3.1, and prerequisites.
    
4. Circular dielectric optical microresonators
   Keywords: device concepts, fundamental theory: parametric coupled mode description, spectral features, application examples.
   Literature (starting point): K. Okamoto, Fundamentals of Optical Waveguides, 4.5.2 and prerequisites; I. Chremmos, O. Schwelb, N. Uzunoglu, Photonic Microresonator Research and Applications, chapter 2.
    
5. Band Gaps in Photonic Crystals
   Keywords: Discrete translational symmetry, photonic band structures, multilayer films, localized defect modes, two-dimensional photonic crystals.
   Literature (Starting point): Joannopoulos / Johnson / Winn / Meade, Photonic Crystals - Molding the Flow of Light, chapter 3-5 and prerequisites.
    
6. Photonic Crystal Fibres
   Keywords: Microstructured optical fibres, index guiding, bandgap guiding, hollow-core fibres, Bragg fibres.
   Literature (Starting point): Joannopoulos / Johnson / Winn / Meade, Photonic Crystals - Molding the Flow of Light, chapter 9 and prerequisites.

Please contact Dr. Manfred Hammer for all further information.