Theoretical Nano- and Quantum Optics I

University of Southern Denmark

Programmes:

PhD in Physics and Technology/Physics

Subject Director:
N. Asger Mortensen

Teachers: Joel D. Cox, N. Asger Mortensen, Christos Tserkezis

Registration and more information:

Registration is done via email to Christos Tserkezis (ct@mci.sdu.dk) or Louise Just (loju@mci.sdu.dk). Deadline: 1 week before the classes start.
 

Prerequisites

Enrollment as a PhD student on a project associated with nano- or quantum-optics research,

or,

Enrollment as a MSc student on a programme related to nano-/quantum optics or nanotechnology, and successful completion of the first-year courses of the programme.

Content – Key areas:

This will provide the student with:

• Recapitulation of underlying physics (especially Maxwell’s equations)
• Emission and propagation of light in vacuum and matter; diffraction
• Theoretical models for light-matter interaction in the classical realm; energy and forces
• Green’s functions in electrodynamics
• Material properties and connection between solid-state physics and optics
• Emission and propagation of light in structured (e.g. periodic or spherical) settings
• Collective optical modes in simple and structured media; plasmons and other polaritons
• Fundamentals of nonlinear optics.
   

Learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

The knowledge of the…

• theoretical concepts governing the aforementioned key areas and how they are expressed in terms of equations
• common approximations and ansatzes to approach these equations
• analytical and (to a lesser degree) numerical methods to solve the equations

Skills

The ability to…

• solve the equations analytically and/or numerically
• structure the solution of a problem such that it is conducive to academic discussion
• present results in diagrams and plots that capture the essence of a theoretical result

Competences

The ability to…

• translate a physical question to a mathematical problem (appropriate set of fundamental equations, potentially appropriate approximations)
• solve the mathematical problem in an appropriate way (e.g. analytical vs numerical, introduction of approximations where necessary)
• translate the result back into physics, i.e. extract physical insights from the mathematical or numerical solution
   

Time of classes:

Autumn semester, typ. 2nd year of PhD / 2nd year of MSc
Duration 12 weeks, from week 37 to week 49, at Odense Campus.

Lessons:

48 hours

Form of instruction:

Weekly set of theoretical problems (typically 2-3 problems) requiring independent literature study and preparation, and group work for solving the problems. Extensive discussion of solutions, consequences and related physics in a seminar-like setting.

Evaluation:

Pass/fail evaluation, based on the student’s engagement in the seminar. Typical expectations: presentation of approximately 2 problem solutions (depending also on the number of students) at the blackboard and engagement in the discussion of the rest of the problems.

Comments:

The course is intended mainly for PhD students, but advanced MSc students enrolled in relevant programmes are also welcome.

A minimum of 3 students is required for the course to be conducted each academic year.

Price: 
No charge 

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