Courses

from the Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies

Below you will find initial information on the events offered especially from the HOT. Further information can be found in the online course catalogue and the Stud.IP.

In the course of studies Optical Technologies the required courses are offered in cooperation with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics.

  • Applied Photonic Quantum Technologies

    Content

    The content of the lecture will encompass the fundamentals of photonic quantum technologies and their applications in sensing systems, quantum communication devices and quantum operations.

    Prior Knowledge

    Quantum physics

    Abstract

    Moderne Aspekte der Physik, Ausgewählte Themen moderner Physik

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.

  • Introduction to Multiscale and Multiphysics Modelling

    Content

    In this course, the students will be introduced to the foundamental concepts, theories, computational methods as well as applications of multiscale and multiphysics modelling from atomistic model, microscale model, meso-scale model and finally up to the continuum model. At these scales, various fields such as electical, magnetic, thermal, mechanical or fluid field will be coupled between two or more fields. Examples on coupled systems e.g. piezelectric structrue, acoustic emission, heat conduction, optical wave guide etc will be demonstrated and solved in major commercial software such as COMSOL and Abaqus.

    Module and Course Language

    Bachelor and Master module; Areas: Physics, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering; The lecture will be held in English.

    Prior Knowledge

    Numerical analysis for the solution of PDEs and basic mechanics or physics courses

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.

  • Introduction to Nanophotonics

    Content

    Nanophotonics studies how light behaves at the nanoscale, and how to engineer the properties of light by exploiting its exotic interaction with nanostructures. The course will focus on the theoretical foundations of nanophotonic systems, such as plasmonic nanoantennas, dielectric resonators, metasurfaces, metamaterials, and photonic crystals. The course is enriched with the use of simulation software for nanophotonics.

    After successfully completing the module, students are able to

    • Understand the optical properties of dielectric/metals and the theory of surface plasmons.
    • Understand the theory of the scattering of light by a sphere (Mie theory) and multipoles and apply it to generic nanostructures.
    • Understand metasurfaces/metamaterials/photonic crystals and design such systems for light manipulation.
    • Understand some numerical techniques and use simulation software for nanophotonics modelling.

    Module content

    • Optical properties of matter, fundamentals of plasmonics.
    • Light scattering by metallic and dielectric nanostructures.
    • Metasurfaces, metamaterials and photonic crystals.
    • Numerical techniques and simulation software for nanophotonic systems.
    • Selected topics of current research.

    Module and Course Language

    M.Sc. in Optical Technologies, M.Sc. in Nanotechnology, M.Sc. in Physics, M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering;
    The lecture will be held in English.

    Prior Knowledge

    Knowledge of electromagnetic theory (Maxwell's equations, wave propagation, etc).

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.

  • Introduction to Optical Technologies

    Content

    Optical technologies use light for communication, lighting, sensing, material processing, and computing. This course provides an introduction to optical technologies with a focus on the theory necessary to understand and describe modern optical devices.

    After successfully completing the module, students are able to

    • Understand Maxwell’s equations and the properties of light.
    • Understand the optical properties of matter and the interaction of light with matter.
    • Calculate reflection and transmission.
    • Understand diffraction and interference.
    • Understand guided propagation.
    • Understand the working principle of a selection of optical devices, such as LEDs, displays, LASERs, flat lenses, solar cells, etc.

    Module content

    • Maxwell’s equations and properties of light.
    • Light propagation: reflection and refraction.
    • Optical properties of matter: anisotropy, absorption and dispersion
    • Guided propagation: introduction to waveguides and fiber optics
    • Examples of modern optical technologies

    Module and Course Language

    B.Sc. in Machanical Engineering, B.Sc. in Production and Logistics, B.Sc. in Mechatronics, and B.Sc. in Nanotechnology; The lecture will be held in English.

    Prior Knowledge

    Knowledge of mathematics and physics (electricity and magnetism).

    Recommended Literature

    • Fundamentals of photonics, B.E.A. Saleh, M.C. Teich, Wiley, 2019.
    • Optics, E. Hecht, Pearson, 2017.
    • Introduction to Optics I: Interaction of Light with Matter, K. Dolgaleva, Morgan & Claypool Publishers, 2020.

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.

  • Laser Measurement Technology

    The aim of this lecture course is the introduction to the basic principles and methods of state-of-the-art optical measurement technology based on laser sources. An overview of the broad spectrum of laser sources, measurement techniques, and typical practical applications for various optical measurement, monitoring, and sensing situations in research and development will be provided.

    The exercise course aims at consolidating the understanding of the basic principles and provides theoretical exercises according to selected example applications and practical laboratory training.

    Contents

    • Basic physics
    • Optical elements/detection techniques
    • Lasers for measurement applications
    • Laser triangulation and interferometry
    • Distance and velocity measurement
    • Laser spectrometry, Holographic measurement techniques, Ultra-short laser pulse measurement techniques
    • Application in measurement, monitoring, and sensing

    Prior Knowledge

    Fundamentals of measurement technology, Basics of laser physics and laser technology

    Recommended Literature

    • A. Donges, R. Noll, Lasermesstechnik, Hüthig Verl.; M. Hugenschmidt, Lasermesstechnik, Springer Verl.

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.

  • Laser Spectroscopy in Life Science

    The aim of this lecture course is the introduction to the fundamentals and methods in laser spectroscopy for application in the life sciences. Apart from the basic principles of laser spectroscopic techniques and methods applied in various up-to-date areas of fundamental research also practical applications in the life sciences such as biology, chemistry, and medicine, will be taught. The students will also gain insight into modern measurement devices and methods which are broadly employed. The exercise course aims at consolidating the understanding of the basic principles given as well as at their application for practical examples. 

    Prior Knowledge

    Basic physics, Optical elements and measurement techniques, Lasers for spectroscopic applications, Laser interferometry, Laser spectrometry and spectroscopy, Applications of (ultra)short pulse lasers.

    Recommended Literature

    • Wolfgang Demtröder: Laserspektroskopie 1: Grundlagen (Springer), 2011
    • Wolfgang Demtröder: Laserspektroskopie 2: Experimentelle Techniken (Springer),  2012
    • Jürgen Eichler, Hans Joachim Eichler: Laser - Bauformen Strahlführung Anwendungen (Springer), 2006
    • Thomas Engel: Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy (Pearson), 2013

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.

  • Optical Properties of Micro and Nano Structures

    Content

    Optical devices based on micro- and nanostructures are progressively replacing conventional optical systems (such as bulky lenses) due to their small dimensions and ease of integration. This course provides the basic knowledge of micro- and nano-optics (or nanophotonics) to understand and design such miniaturized optical systems, as well as examples of their applications.

    After successfully completing the module, students are able to

    • Understand Maxwell's equations and describe light propagation.
    • Understand the optical properties of matter and the interaction of light with matter.
    • Know the main categories of micro- and nano-structures and describe their optical properties.
    • Simulate a simple micro- or nanostructured system and understand its optical properties.

    Module content

    • Maxwell's equation, wave equation, reflection and refraction.
    • Optical properties of metals and dielectrics, fundamentals of plasmonics.
    • Metasurfaces, photonic crystals, diffraction gratings, micro-lenses, nano-films.
    • Lab activity on how to use optical simulation software.

    Module and Course Language

    Fundamentals of photonics, B.E.A. Saleh, M.C. Teich, Wiley, 2019
    The lecture will be held in English.

    Prior Knowledge

    Mathematics and Physics (First year courses)

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.

  • Fracture of Materials and Fracture Mechanics

    Content

    In this course, the students will be introduced to the foundamental concepts, theories, computations as well as applications of fracture mechanics. It will start with the foundemantal phenomenon of fracture behaviour in materials followed by the analysitical solutions of linear elastic fractures under different fracture modes. Experimental characterization methods of fracture toughness will be disucssed and the concept of stress intensity factors and state of the art methods for modelling fractures will be introduced. Current availabe software that can be used for fracture modelling and their limiations will be shown and discussed.

    Graduates at the end of this course should be familiar with the physical and mechanical model and definition of fracture problems especially in linear elastic fracture mechanics. They will be qaulified for the problem identification of fractures, model setup and computational of materials with fracture. At the end of the course, the students are expeted to be able to select the appropriate criteria and model in analyzing engineering fracture problems, and understand the validity and limits of their results. They shall be experienced on understanding and discussing the state of the art literature in the engineering fracture mechanics and on the defence of their findings by an oral presentation of a selected problem.

    Prior Knowledge and Course Language

    Continuum Mechanics and Computational Techniques (FE method); The lecture will be held in English.

    Abstract

    Master level, Advanced Techniques in Mechanics

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.

  • Optical Metrology

    The lecture gives an overview on theory, methods and devices in optical metrology. At the beginning, fundamentals of optics and photonics such as ray and wave optics are revised, which are essential for the understanding of concepts in optical metrology. Focusing on metrology in research and industrial applications, the lecture covers optical methods for measurement of topography, distance, and deformation as well as fiber optical sensors, which include concepts such as interferometry, holography and confocal microscopy. In addition, semi-optical methods such as atomic force microscopy and near field microscopy are addressed and compared to non-optical methods, e.g., scanning electron microscopy. To gain an in-depth understanding of the concepts involved in optical metrology, all devices and optical setups are explained in detail including light sources, cameras, and optical elements.

    Prior Knowledge

    Fundamentals of Measurement

    Recommended Literature

    • Born, Wolf. Principles of Optics: Electromagnetic Theory of Propagation, Interference and Diffraction of Light (Cambridge University Press), 1999
    • Demtröder: Experimentalphysik (Springer), 2013
    • Saleh, Teich: Grundlagen der Photonik (Wiley), 2013
    • Lauterborn, Kurz: Coherent Optics (Springer), 2003
    • Goodman: Introduction to Fourier Optics (Roberts), 2016
    • Hugenschmidt: Lasermesstechnik (Springer), 2007

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.

  • Proseminar Biophotonics

    The focus of the proseminar lies on the applications of optical technologies, methods and processes in the life sciences. The students acquire knowledge on both basic concepts and their implementation into real applications. Typical fields of application are optical microscopy and imaging for medical diagnosis or precision laser spectroscopy for the investigation of the functionality of biomolecules and molecular analytics. Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on modern optical technology for lab-on-chip applications and integrated laser methods for medical screening, among others.

    Prior Knowledge

    • Basics of physics
    • Optical elements/Measurement techniques
    • Physical foundations of optics and laser technology
    • Basic knowledge in laser applications

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.

  • Seminar Integrated Quantum Optics

    Content

    The seminar will give a deeper insight into recent aspects in the field of integrated quantum optics. The subjects include

    • integrated photon sources, 
    • passive and active integrated elements,
    • non-classical light detectors,
    • photonic quantum applications etc.

    The topics will be discussed on the basis of student presentations on recent scientific literature.

    Prior Knowledge

    Quantum Physis, Coherent Optics

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.

  • Seminar Nanophotonics

    Content

    The seminar focuses on advanced topics in nanophotonics and nano-optics. Students will be assigned a topic at the beginning of the semester and after one months, they will start presenting their findings. The work consists in a literature review. The goal is to bring the students in contact with the current research topics in the field. During the one-month preparation, assistance and clarifications will be provided when necessary.

    Prior Knowledge

    Wave-optics and photonics

    Recommended Literature

    • Novotny, L., & Hecht, B. (2012). Principles of Nano-Optics (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
    • Gaponenko, S. (2010). Introduction to Nanophotonics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
    • Maier, S. (2007). Plasmonics: Fundamentals and Applications. Springer, New York.

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.

  • Seminar Numerical Optics

    The seminar covers selected topics for the calculation of light distributions in optical media:  Spectral and pseudospectral methods, Runge-Kutta- and Split-Step-Integration, Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT), Monte Carlo (MC) simulation, Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD), Finite Element Methods, Ray Tracing, Beam-propagation methods (BPM), and Parallelization using MP.

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.

  • Tutorials on Photonics and Multiphysics Simulations

    Content

    These tutorials aim at presenting current solutions for photonics simulations based on wave optics and multiphysics approaches. Several tools from the commercial software Ansys Lumerical will be demonstrated for applications in integrated optics, nanophotonics, optical fibers and waveguides, electro-optical and thermo-optical systems. Integration with Matlab/Python will also be demonstrated, as well as solutions for postprocessing.

    Prior Knowledge

    electromagnetic theory (Maxwell´s equations, wave propagation, etc)

    Registration, Times and Documents

    Information on the period and lecturers as well as the event documents can be found in the Stud.IP.