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PHYC40400

Academic Year 2024/2025

Nanooptics and biophotonics (PHYC40400)

Subject:
Physics
College:
Science
School:
Physics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Brian Vohnsen
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Light is often preferred for imaging and for analysis of materials. This is due to the non-destructive nature of light and its direct relation to human vision. However, conventional optics fall short of describing essential features at the nanoscale of naturally occurring phenomena and technologically relevant structures. In this module we review the basics of optics before processing into more advanced optical techniques of relevance for optical imaging, sensing, and biomedical applications from nanoscopy to visual optics, The knowledge acquired brings us to the forefront of nanooptics and biophotonics as well as biomedical applications of optics at different length scales from the macroscopic to the microscopic range.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

This module starts off from traditional electromagnetic wave optics, photonics, light sources, detectors, and waveguiding before progressing to nanooptics and biophotonics. Topics such as waveguides, modes, optical fibres, lasers, resolution limit, diffraction theory, Zernike aberrations, adaptive optics, wavefront sensing, scattering, optical tweezers, near-field optics, plasmonics and advanced microscopy (light sheet microscopy, multiphoton microscopy, structured illumination, and localization microscopy ) will all be covered.
Likewise, biomedical techniques such as endoscopes, optical coherence tomography, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, ophthalmology, visual optics and dermatology will be extensively covered. On completion, the student will have a comprehensive knowledge of light-matter interactions at both the micron and the nanoscale. This will make the student able to follow and take on an active role in present-day optical research at the interface of optical physics with bio- and life sciences.

Indicative Module Content:

Geometrical optics and waveoptics
Aberrations
Optical waveguiding
Optical microscopy (widefield and scanning)
Nonlinear optics
Nanoscopy
Optical coherence tomography
Adaptive optics
Plasmonics
Metamaterials

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

48
Autonomous Student Learning

48
Lectures

24
Total

120

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
All lectures will be delivered online only (due to covid-19) and will be complemented with problem-based learning (homework, submitted online).

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

A basic course on waves, electromagnetism, and optics (PHYC10060 and PHYC20010) is recommended prior to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Problem sheet #1 will be provided to the students and they will be given 2 weeks to upload their solutions in Brightspace. Feedback will be on their scanned solutions, and in class. Week 4 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

15

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Problem sheet #2 will be provided to the students and they will be given 2 weeks to upload their solutions in Brightspace. Feedback will be on their scanned solutions, and in class. Week 8 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

15

 No
Exam (In-person): A written exam will conclude the module. This is a closed-book exam, but calculators are allowed. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

70

 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will be given feedback on individual assignments, and solutions to selected tutorial problems will be shown at subsequent lectures.

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