Nanophotonics

• describe the assumptions on which the various physical models are based
• draft the derivation of the major results
• account for the gain and spontaneous emission spectra in bulk, quantum well and quantum dot semiconductor materials
• formulate rate equations for semiconductor lasers and use these for analysing static and dynamic properties
• describe light-matter interaction as well as damping mechanisms on the basis of density matrix equations
• account for Fermi’s Golden Rule as well as coherent effects such as Rabi oscillations
• account for the basic theory and properties of photonic crystals and the use of defects for realizing waveguides and nanocavities
• describe the basic properties of metamaterials and plasmonic structures
• describe the use of the Green’s tensor, local density of states and quasi-normal modes for characterizing the properties of structured electromagnetic materials
• analyze and explain cavity QED (quantum electro-dynamical) effects involving the interaction between a two-level system and a photon, including vacuum Rabi oscillations and the Purcell effect
• account for coupled-mode theory and its use

Review of basic optical semiconductor physics. The interaction of light and matter. Waves in periodic structures; gratings and resonators. Two- and three-dimensional photonic bandgap structures. Optical amplification in bulk and low-dimensional materials, such as quantum wells and quantum dots. Dynamic properties of semiconductor lasers and noise spectra. Nanolasers. Spontaneous emission quantum noise. Density matrix equations for light-matter interaction. Coherent effects such as Rabi oscillations and the transition to rate equation approaches. Microcavities. Plasmonics. Metamaterials. Cavity QED effects. Green’s tensor and local density of states. Quasi-normal modes. Extreme confinement in dielectrics. The course consists of a combination of lectures, problem solving, computer and experimental exercises.

10102/34020

2 modules per week with lectures, problem solving, computer and laboratory exercises.