Subject description
INTRODUCTION: challenges and trends in Optoelectronics
LIGHT: short revision of models of light, propagation, light and matter, complex refractive index, reflection, refraction, scattering, colour spaces
OPTICAL SOURCES: generation of light, overview of optical sources
– Light emitting diodes (LED): direct semiconductors, spontaneous emission, LED structures, technology, optical and electrical characteristics, examples of driver circuits, organic LED (OLEDs)
– Lasers: operational principle, stimulated emission, main parts of a laser, optical amplification and losses, spectrum and shape of the output beam, applications of lasers
– Laser diodes: structures, PN, DH, DBR, DFB VCSEL LD, applications
PHOTODETECTORS: detection of light in semiconductor, semiconductor photodetectors (pn, pin, heterodiode, avalance, phototransistor), circuits with photodetectors, operational principles and structures of CCD, CMOS and a-Si:H detector arrays
DISPLAYS: structure and operation of LCD, LED, plasma and OLED displays, 3D displays
OPTICAL FIBERS: guiding light in a fiber, single and multimode fibers, attenuation, dispersion, non-linear effects
PHOTOVOLTAICS: trends, solar spectrum, radiation and irradiation, how a solar cell work, technologies of solar cells and photovoltaics modules, photovoltaic systems, steps design of a solar power plant, examples
6 tasks are conducted from the above mentioned topics within the practice work of the course. One of them is elective and is carried out in the research Laboratory of Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics.
The subject is taught in programs
Electrical engineering 1st level
Objectives and competences
The objectives of the course are to familiarize students with the state-of-the-art knowledge on optoelectronics and photonics with emphasis on contemporary optoelectronic devices and their structures and to understand their operational principles. Issues important for electrical engineers will be pointed out such as connection of optoelectronic components with other electronic components and circuits. Related to photovoltaics students will learn about the importance of renewable energy sources and the photovoltaics among them, they will learn and think about different technical solutions of PV systems.
Teaching and learning methods
The lectures provide a theoretical background on particular subjects together with presentation of selected practical examples. Handouts of slides are available as well as additional study material. Practical work is devoted to hands-on – working with optoelectronic components.
Expected study results
After successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- explain basic operational principles of optoelectronic devices
- calculate selected optical and electrical characteristics of devices
- measure basic characteristics of devices
- select an appropriate optoelectronic component for certain application
- design a simple electronic circuit for connection of an optoelectronic device
- carry out basic steps in design of a photovoltaic array for a simple photovoltaic power plant
Basic sources and literature
1. J. Krč, Prosojnice predavanj, dostopne so na e-FE/ / Slides of lectures, available at e-FE
2. B. Lipovšek, Navodila za laboratorijske vaje pri predmetu Optoelektronika (založba UL FE) in zbirka rešenih primerov na e-fe / Instructions for practical work – Optoelectronics (bookstore UL FEE) and Calculation examples with results (e-fe)
3. S. O. Kasap, Optoelectronics and Photonics – principles and practices, 2nd Ed. Pearson Education, 2013
4. A. Luque, S. Hegedus, Handbook of photovoltaic science and engineering, Wiley, 2011.
5. B. E. A. Saleh, Fundamentals of photonics, Wiley, 2007.
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University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering Tržaška cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana