Introduction to Nano Optics (Summer School)

The student will acquire knowledge on: 

• Light propagation in dispersive media and at interfaces
• Characterizing the optical response of free electrons in a metal
• The optoelectronic properties of atomically-thin materials such as graphene
• Perturbation theory and its application to linear and nonlinear optics
• Light-matter interactions in few-level quantum systems (e.g., atoms or quantum dots)
• Spontaneous emission of light from atomic systems

The student will be able to

• Calculate optical transmission and reflection coefficients of layered systems
• Calculate the plasmon dispersion relation of a metal surface
• Apply perturbation theory to describe the linear and nonlinear optical response of materials
• Derive optical Bloch equations describing classical electric fields interacting with two- or three-level atoms
• Compute the spontaneous emission rate of an atom in the presence of complex dielectric media

The student will be able to: 

• Formulate and model interactions between light and nano-structured materials using quantum mechanics and classical electromagnetism

This course introduces tools used to model and understand the behavior of light in atoms and materials that are structured on small scales compared with the free-space optical wavelength.

It is intended for students with a background in the physical sciences or engineering and a familiarity with basic quantum mechanics and electromagnetism.

• Maxwell’s equations in homogeneous media
• Drude model
• Boltzmann transport equation
• Perturbation theory
• Nonlinear optical phenomena—controlling light with light
• Semi-classical quantum optics
• Point emitters—spontaneous emission of light from atoms

Lectures, problem solving, and laboratory exercises.

Time of classes 
Two weeks in August.

Enrolment is limited to 7 students. If more applicants than places, applicants who meet the mandatory requirements are prioritised according to the below selection criteria: 

1. Engineering students from Physics and Technology who need this specific summer course or 5 ECTS electives to graduate
2. Students from SDU-TEK provided the course is approved as an elective on their study programmes 
3. Other students from SDU-TEK with preapproval of credit transfer 
4. Other students from SDU provided the course is approved as an elective on their study programmes
5. Other students from SDU with preapproval of credit transfer 

Please note that registration for this elective course is binding. However, we recommend you apply for de-registration of Summer School courses if you do not pass your exams in June, leaving you to register for re-exams in August. Apply by filling out the form “Application of Exemption from the Deadline for Registration or De-registration for Courses” here: https://spoc.sdu.dk/form/4153/view. 

If you need to pass mandatory subjects from the 5th semester of your bachelor's programme, you cannot register for the summer course as a master's elective, as you can only take master's electives once your bachelor's degree has been completed. 

Students who have taken this course as part of their bachelor’s degree are not allowed to register for the course as part of their master’s degree. 

This course is identical with T920002101 Nonlinear and Quantum Nanophotonics (Summer School), T920012101 Introduction to Nano Optics (Summer School) og T960004101 Introduction to Nano Optics (Summer School), . Any used examination attempts will be transferred.