Postgraduate Prospectus

This module provides an in depth knowledge on both the theoretical and practical aspects of modern advanced imaging techniques, with particular emphasis on biological and dimensional metrology applications. The topics covered include

• Principles of image formation: geometrical and wave optics, scalar and vector diffraction, Fourier transform properties of lenses, principles of optical instruments including telescope and collimators, fundamental of optical design
• Signal and imaging processing techniques: transform techniques, image sampling, imaging processing and feature recognition techniques
• Detector technology: photodetectors, CCD and CMOS cameras, active pixel circuit design using CMOS processing, photon counting devices, signal to noise considerations
• Microscopy and sensor techniques: scanning and wide field microscopes, analysis of imaging performance, confocal, phase contrast, dark field, interference, differential interference contrast, polarisation and fluorescent imaging. Total internal reflection methods. Exotic techniques giving resolution beyond the Abbe limit, STED, STORM, PALM and near field methods.

The module aims to provide an in depth overview of current state-of-the-art integrated photonics technologies and devices. The module provides: - introduction to optical integrated circuits; - review of current issues in monolithic and hybrid technologies; - review of materials and fabrication techniques for integrated photonics; - in depth introduction on passive and active devices in integrated photonics; - an overview of available characterisation techniques; - overview of a range of commonly used design and simulation methodologies including Finite Difference Beam Propagation Method (FDBPM), Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method and Spectral Index (SI) method; - coverage of applications in integrated photonics including switching, biophotonics, correlators and spectrum analysis. - a review of emerging technologies such are nano-imprint lithography, embossing, micro-resonators, photonic bandgap devices and plasmonics.

This module introduces the principles and application of a wide range of photonic devices, currently used in photonics telecoms. The specific topics covered include:

• carrier transport and recombination processes in semiconductors;
• light-emitting diodes (LEDs);
• laser diodes (both for signal sources and amplifier pumps);
• LED and laser diode modulation (rate equation descriptions, equivalent circuits, modulation and small-signal performance analysis);
• APD and PIN diode detectors;
• detector response (sensitivity, bandwidth and noise);
• signal propagation effects, including attenuation, phase and group velocity, chromatic dispersion, modulation-induced chirp, pulse width broadening and compression.

The module aims to cover the analysis, modelling and design of a wide range of primarily fibre optics based photonic devices that are currently used in photonic telecoms:

• i) fibres;
• ii) fibre amplifiers: EDFA, Raman and Brillouin;
• iii fibre couplers, taps, optical isolators and circulators;
• iv) fibre lasers;
• v) photonic crystal fibres;
• vi) photonic crystal fibre based photonic devices;
• vii) modelling of integrated photonic devices including semiconductor lasers;
• viii) basic numerical modelling techniques (e.g. Split Step Fourier Method, FD-BPM, etc)
• ix) modelling of active photonic devices (electronic, photonic, thermal)

The module aims to cover a wide range of advanced modelling & simulation techniques, currently used in electromagnetics.
The mathematical foundations of electromagnetics, including exact expansion techniques in Cartesian, Cylindrical & Spherical coordinates & the role of Green’s functions & eigensystems, are reviewed, as are Signal Processing techniques. Multi-resolution & multi-scale techniques are considered with emphasis on the Modal Expansion (MET) method & the Digital Filter Interface (DFI) method.
The module then provides in depth intro to the most commonly used EM modelling methods for a variety of applications covering the principal characteristics of time & frequency domain methods, integral & differential equation methods including: Finite Difference Beam Propagation Method (FD-BPM), Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) & Transmission Line Method (TLM);
The students will use representative softwares (TLM and BPM) to simulate and design electromagnetic components devices. The use of experimental laboratory for electromagnetic compatibility issues is also part of the training and learning.

This module provides an in depth knowledge of optical communication systems and networks. After some introductory material the topics covered include: Optical fibres (light propagation in fibres, attenuation, chromatic dispersion, PMD, fibre nonlinearities) Optical components overview (transmitters (lasers, LEDs), detectors (PIN, APD), optical amplifiers (SOA, EDFA, Raman) and optical regeneration, multiplexers, filters, couplers, isolators, circulators, wavelength converters, optical switches etc.) Modulation and demodulation (signal formats, noise, BER, Q, error detection/codes) Optical System Design (impairments: extinction ratio, receiver thermal noise, basic receiver sensitivity, optical amplifier noise, crosstalk, dispersion, PMD, nonlinearity (partic. SBS, SRS, FWM), penalties (Q, Power, Eye, OSNR)) Optical networks (WDM network elements, topology design, routing and wavelength allocation, network survivability, access networks).

This module provides an introduction to digital signal processing. The module covers:

• revision of continuous signals, linear time-invariant systems and Fourier transform
• sampling of analogue signals, discrete time-invariant systems, and discrete Fourier transform
• signal enhancement techniques
• digital spectral analysis
• design of digital FIR filters
• design of digital IIR filters
• adaptive signal processing
• multidimensional signal processing
• implementations of digital signal processing, and acoustic and optical signal processing
• use of MATLAB for signal processing

This module provides an introduction to digital signal processing. The module covers:

• revision of continuous signals, linear time-invariant systems and Fourier transform
• sampling of analogue signals, discrete time-invariant systems and discrete Fourier transform
• signal enhancement techniques
• digital spectral analysis
• design of digital FIR filters
• design of digital IIR filters
• adaptive signal processing
• multidimensional signal processing
• implementations of digital signal processing, and acoustic and optical signal processing
• use of MATLAB for signal processing

This module is an introduction to the principles and practice of instrumentation and measurement systems in an engineering context. The module will cover the generally applicable basic principles and then look at specific classes of instrument and associated electronics and signal processing methods. Topics covered include:

• Basic principles and instrument characteristics.
• Measurement errors, basic statistics, noise and its control.
• Dynamic characteristics of instruments, time and frequency domain responses.
• System identification using correlation techniques.
• Amplifiers, filters, ADCs and DACs.
• Position, strain, pressure and motion sensors (resistive, capacitive, inductive, optical).
• Flow sensors (correlation, acoustic, electromagnetic, mechanical).

Ultrasonic sensors.
The coursework will be in the form of a design or case study in a business context.

This module is an introduction to the principles and practice of instrumentation and measurement systems in an engineering context. The module will cover the generally applicable basic principles and then look at specific classes of instrument and associated electronics and signal processing methods. Topics covered include:

• Basic principles and instrument characteristics.
• Measurement errors, basic statistics, noise and its control.
• Dynamic characteristics of instruments, time and frequency domain responses.
• System identification using correlation techniques.
• Amplifiers, filters, ADCs and DACs.
• Position, strain, pressure and motion sensors (resistive, capacitive, inductive, optical).
• Flow sensors.
• Ultrasonic sensors.

The design of high speed Analogue and Digital circuits will be discussed before the limitations of BJTs and MOSFETs are given. High speed HEMT and HBTs will be examined.

The design of high speed Analogue and Digital circuits will be discussed before the limitations of BJTs and MOSFETs are given. High speed HEMT and HBTs will be examined.

This module contains:

• Propagation characteristics of mobile environment – wave equations, fading
• Cells and channel allocation
• Digital modulation techniques
• Multiplexing, FDMA, TDMA, CDMA
• Error detection and coding
• 2nd generation systems (GSM, IS-136, IS-95)
• 2.5/3G systems
• Wireless LAN
• Blue tooth
• 4G

This module contains

• Propagation characteristics of mobile environment – wave equations, fading
• Cells and channel allocation
• Digital modulation techniques
• Multiplexing, FDMA, TDMA, CDMA
• Error detection and coding
• 2nd generation systems (GSM, IS-136, IS-95)
• 2.5/3G systems
• Wireless LAN
• Blue tooth
• 4G