The aim of this module is to provide you with an introduction to a wide variety of modern optoelectronic devices, particularly those used in optical communications systems. As these devices are primarily semiconductor-based guided-wave optical components, the two main theoretical elements of the course are electromagnetic theory and rate equation modelling.

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to: 1. solve wave and waveguide problems using Maxwell's equations 2. design optical fibre-based communication systems 3. evaluate the performance of optical fibre-based communication systems 4. design optical fibre-based sensing systems 5. evaluate the performance of optical fibre-based sensing systems

Maxwell's equations; the wave equation for electromagnetic waves; evanescent waves; power flow. Waveguide structures: boundary matching, slab dielectric waveguide; guided and radiation modes; cut-off conditions; free carrier contribution to the dielectric constant; waveguides in semiconductors - homostructure and heterostructure guides; epitaxy and lattice matching; channel waveguides. Channel waveguide devices; power splitters; filters. Diode-based waveguide structures: homojunctions and heterojunctions; carrier injection phase modulators; electro-optic phase modulators; switches and intensity modulators. Photodetectors: absorption of light by semiconductors; quantum efficiency; photoconductive detectors; p-i-n photodiodes; heterojunction photodiodes. LEDs: spontaneous and stimulated emission; electroluminescence in p-n junctions; simple LED structures; emission spectrum of LED; DC efficiency and frequency response of LED; ELEDs. Semiconductor lasers: conditions for laser oscillation; inversion and optical gain; emission spectrum of laser; the double heterostructure; threshold condition and power-current characteristics.