A National Model for Photonics Proficiency in Undergraduate Electrical Engineering

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Photonics is becoming a pervasive technology, with applications ranging from consumer products (CD players and laser printers) to social infrastructure and defense (intelligent highways and optically controlled radars). As a result, photonics is being recognized as an integral part of the electrical engineering (EE) curriculum. Because it has not been traditionally offered in undergraduate EE to date, most universities still regard photonics education as curriculum enrichment. As such, different aspects of photonics are emphasized in different universities, largely following the expertise or research interests of the faculty members, a situation that may not address effectively students' long-term career abilities and industrial needs. The growing importance of photonics technology and its needs in industry dictate that every undergraduate EE student should acquire a minimum standard proficiency in photonics. In this vein, this project is shifting the paradigm in undergraduate photonics education in EE. Instead of treating it as an enrichment, photonics will be taught as a requirement. A photonics proficiency standard_a collection of knowledge and technology base_is being identified and incorporated into a required course in photonics involving both classroom instruction and laboratory experience. The preliminary photonics proficiency standard includes laboratory safety, geometrical and physical optics, lasers and detectors, lightwave modulation, and optical communications. A series of 10 labs, each associated with particular areas of photonics applications, is being developed to complement and, moreover, synergize with classroom instructions. The photonics proficiency standard and the curriculum are being refined in the course of this project so as to serve as a national model for photonics education in EE. Finally, an undergraduate textbook with a companion laboratory manual can be published for dissemination.