ELEC 413

Semiconductor Lasers

An introduction to lasers and applications. Theory, modeling, fabrication and performance of semiconductor lasers. Optical communications links.

3 credits

Course Topics

  • Introduction to the laser rate equation model
  • Laser resonators, cavities, optical modes, Fabry-Perot, Laser Threshold Gain
  • Spontaneous and stimulated emission, absorption, Gain, linewidth, homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening, saturation
  • Semiconductor physics, band-diagrams
  • Requirements for semiconductor lasers, carrier and light confinement, Homo- and hetero-junctions
  • Gain and absorption in semiconductor media
  • Rate Equations, modulation response
  • Edge-emitting lasers, Fabry-Perot (FP lasers), FP Laser optical spectrum
  • Material systems overview, band-diagram engineering, Quantum wells, quantum dots, quantum cascade, Expitaxial growth using MBE and MOCVD
  • Wave Propagation in Periodic Media, Distributed Feedback, Distributed feebdack lasers (DFBs), Laser optical spectrum
  • Vertical cavity lasers (VCSELs), Bragg reflectors, Tunable Lasers
  • Semiconductor Laser fabrication, Lithography, Metal evaporation, etching
  • Optical links, fiber communication

Textbook

“Photonics: Optical Electronic in Modern Communications”, by A. Yariv and P. Yeh, 6th Ed., 2007.

More Information

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