Optoelectronics

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 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.

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.