Optics continues to play a central role in answering the most profound scientific questions of our time. Optics is at the heart of many of the world's most powerful scientific instruments, enabling modern telescopes to achieve previously unimaginable resolution, and probing general relativity with a global network of gravitational wave detectors. This course includes fundamentals of laser, semiconductor lasers, quantum confined structures, Fourier optics, telescopic imaging, adaptive optics, nonlinear optics and quantum entangled sources. Expert guest lecturers will describe the application of these techniques to fields such as astronomy, gravitational wave detection and nanophotonics. The course will also provide critical experimental skills with optical instrumentation needed for many areas of research.
This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Exhibit a profound comprehension and effectively communicate the core principles and operational mechanisms of a laser.
- Demonstrate a high level of expertise in utilising lasers for laboratory work.
- To exhibit a profound understanding and apply the principles of Fourier optics to telescopic imaging and adaptive optics, while also assessing its performance.
- Understand nonlinear optics and photonics phenomena and how the impact modern advanced technological systems
- Showcase a profound understanding of nonlinear optics and photonic phenomena, along with their impact on modern advanced technological systems.
- Produce comprehensive yet concise laboratory reports founded on experimental observations and theoretical analysis.
- Demonstrate effective team work in laboratory experiments.
Other Information
Assessment item #3 (2 x laboratory reports) is a hurdle as it is the only assessment item linked to learning outcomes 2 and 6. Students must pass at least one of the lab reports with a mark of 50% to pass the course.
Indicative Assessment
- Examination (30) [LO 1,3,4,5]
- 3 x Assignments (30) [LO 1,3,4,5]
- 2 x Laboratory reports (30) [LO 1,2,4,5,6,7]
- Advanced research case study (10) [LO 1,3,4,5,7]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 3 x 1 hour lectures plus 1 x 3 hour practical per week.
- Approximately 58 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
No inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Saleh & Teich, Fundamentals of Photonics (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001) or later editions.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2769 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | View |