Experimental Optics and Photonics (MVAMO1, MVSpec)

Overview

Note: Lectures and tutorials take place at INF 227 HS2, except for 15th January 2027: INF 308, HS1 (lecture) and INF 225a EINC, Seminar room 3rd floor (tutorial).

The lecture provides an overview of both fundamental and applied aspects of optical phenomena based on classical and quantum properties of radiation and matter relevant to modern science, from basic research to quantum technologies. 

The knowledge you will acquire in this course is highly useful if you plan to work in this area. It complements the content of the lecture "Advanced Atomic and Molecular Physics" and the course "Experimental Methods in Atomic and Molecular Physics" taught in the winter and summer semesters, respectively.  

Learning goals

After completing this course the students will be able to:

• describe basic principles and experimental methods of optics and photonics

• analyse standard experimental approaches to optics and photonics

• apply methods and design experimental set-ups in optics and photonics

Required knowledge

• basic knowledge in electromagnetism and quantum physics

Content

• Ray optics

• Wave optics

• Interference, Beam optics, Gaussian optics

• Fourier optics

• Coherence

• Propagation of Light in Media

• Polarisation

• Photons and atoms

• Light-matter interaction: Classical, semi-classical, quantum

• Lasers

• Nonlinear optics

• Ultra-short laser pulses

Practical information

Where? When?

• Lecture will be in presence

• Fridays, 9:15-11:00 (INF 227 HS2, except for 15.1.2027 INF 308, HS1)

• First Lecture: 16.10.2026

Tutorials

• Tutorials will be in presence (INF 227 HS2, except for 15.1.2027 EINC INF225a 3rd floor, Seminar room)

• Fridays, 11:15-12:00

• First Tutorial: 23.10.2025

Registration

• Register through HeiCo for the lecture. Then register the tutorial group.

Exercise Sheets

• will become available every week after the lecture

• can be downloaded from the web page

• to be handed in by Thursday 12:00 (noon) of the following week (electronically through the Übungsgruppenverwaltung)

• to be submitted in groups (up to 3 students)

Exam

• Pass (without grade): Solve 75% of the exercises and present at least 1 problem solution in the tutorial

• Pass (with grade): Oral exam, 5th February 2027 (to be confirmed)

ECTS points

Lecture and Tutorials: 4 ECTS points