Objective

Microoptics is a sub-category of optics which involves the use of miniature optical components. The motivation for reducing the size is not merely miniaturization but the exploitation of new physical phenomena which are only apparent at the smaller dimensions (e.g. waveguides, near field microscope etc). Microoptics are now used in many fields, including: information technology, telecommunications, consumer electronics, health care and life sciences. In this course we introduce fundamental concepts in optics to bring about understanding of optical waveguides, the working principle of thin film optical filters and the limitations of optical imaging subsystems. 

Syllabus

• Introduction – What is microoptics
• Free space and guided wave optics
• Coherence, Interference and Diffraction
• Microoptical systems
• Fabrication techniques
• Applications

Learning Outcome

• Understand fundamental concepts in optics
• Knowledge of how microoptical elements can be fabricated
• Ability to design microoptical subsystems such as optical waveguides, thin film filters, optical interferometers and simple imaging systems

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