Physics
This chapter sets out the requirements for postgraduate degrees offered in the Faculty of Science in the area of Physics. Degrees offered in the area of Physics are listed in the following order:
- Medical Physics
- Nuclear Science
- Photonics and Optical Science
Master of Medical Physics
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
|
Code |
Course title |
|---|---|
|
LF034 |
Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics |
|
LC046 |
Master of Medical Physics |
2 Attendance pattern
0.
The attendance pattern for these courses is full time or part time according to candidate choice.
3 Master's type
4 Embedded courses in this sequence
(2)
Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any course in this sequence. Only the highest award completed will be conferred.
5 Admission to candidature
(1)
With approval from the Dean, available places will be offered to qualified applicants according to the following admissions criteria.
(2)
Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics requires a bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification, provided the applicant has a major in physics or equivalent.
(a)
a bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering with a minimum credit average from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification, provided the applicant has a major in physics or equivalent or
(b)
completion of the requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification with a grade point average of 3.25/5 or better.
6 Requirements for award
(1)
The units of study that may be taken for these awards are set out in the Medical Physics postgraduate coursework degrees table.
(2)
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics a candidate must complete 48 credit points of core units of study.
(3)
To qualify for the Master of Medical Physics a candidate must complete 72 credit points of core units of study.
7 Transitional provisions
(1)
These resolutions apply to persons who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and persons who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016, or later date as the faculty may, in special circumstances, approve.
Course overview
The Master of Medical Physics (MMedPhys) and the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics (GradDipMedPhys) are the entry level qualifications for trainee medical physicists. Physical scientists apply their knowledge and training in many different areas of medicine including the treatment of cancer, medical imaging, physiological monitoring and medical electronics.
Course outcomes
The MMedPhys and GradDipMedPhys provide the entry level qualification for trainee medical physicists working in a hospital medical physics department. Both courses are accredited by the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM). Graduates of these courses will qualify to apply for trainee medical physicist positions in hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Medical physicists employed in hospitals often undertake research studies part-time for the higher Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research degree.
Medical Physics postgraduate coursework degree table
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
All Degrees: Core Units |
|||
| PHYS5002 Anatomy & Biol Essentials for Physicists |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PHYS5029 Nuclear Medicine Physics |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PHYS5011 Nuclear Physics |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PHYS5012 Radiation Physics and Dosimetry |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PHYS5005 Radiotherapy Physics |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| PHYS5006 Medical Imaging Physics |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| PHYS5018 Health Physics and Radiation Protection |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| PHYS5020 Computation and Image Processing |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Masters: Additional Core Unit |
|||
| PHYS5019 Research Methodology and Project |
24 | P Successful completion of the eight coursework units of the postgraduate coursework Masters degree for which the student is enrolled, equivalent to completion of the requirements for award of the Graduate Diploma. Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Unit of study descriptions 2010
PHYS5002 Anatomy & Biol Essentials for Physicists
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
In this unit normally undertaken as part of the Masters of Medical Physics degree or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics, the concepts of the structure of the human cell and tissues are introduced. The organisation and function of each of the major organ systems that constitute the human body are covered. Examples of pathology of diseases commonly encountered in the practice of medical physics will be included. Basic concepts in physiological modeling are introduced.
PHYS5029 Nuclear Medicine Physics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit of study will introduce the student to the physics associated with diagnostic and therapeutic applications in Nuclear Medicine. This will cover the use of radionuclides for imaging in single photon (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), radiation and the patient, tomographic image reconstruction and kinetic analysis of imaging data. Internal radionuclide dosimtery will be addressed using standard (MIRD) models as well as by voxel-based estimators.
PHYS5005 Radiotherapy Physics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
In this unit normally undertaken as part of the Masters of Medical Physics degree or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics, both theoretical and practical aspects of the major topics in radiotherapy physics are covered. These topics include radiation beam production and modification, calibration and characterisation, principles of treatment planning, dose calculation and reporting, and the physics of brachytherapy.
PHYS5006 Medical Imaging Physics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
In this unit normally undertaken as part of the Masters of Medical Physics degree or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics, the physical principles underlying the science of imaging in diagnostic radiology, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and functional imaging modalities are covered.
PHYS5011 Nuclear Physics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 3 hour lecture per week Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science or the Master of Medical Physics or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics. Nuclear properties, nuclear models, nuclear decays (gamma, beta, alpha and heavy ion decay), natural radioactivity and radioactive decay series, artificial radioactivity, nuclear reactions (including high energy nuclear particle induced spallation reactions), nuclear fission (spontaneous and induced fission) and nuclear fusion are covered.
PHYS5012 Radiation Physics and Dosimetry
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Medical Physics degree or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics or the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science. Sources of radiation, interaction of radiation with matter, physical, chemical and biological effects of radiation in human tissue, physical principles of dosimetry, internal and external dosimetry, radiation units and measurement are covered.
PHYS5018 Health Physics and Radiation Protection
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Medical Physics degree or in the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics or the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science. Physical and biological aspects of the safe use of ionising radiation, physical principles and underlying shielding design instrumentation, international and legislative requirements for radiation protection are covered. Factors affecting dose response of tissue are considered along with models describing characteristic behaviour.
PHYS5019 Research Methodology and Project
Credit points: 24 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Prerequisites: Successful completion of the eight coursework units of the postgraduate coursework Masters degree for which the student is enrolled, equivalent to completion of the requirements for award of the Graduate Diploma. Assessment: Report, research seminar (100%)
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
In this unit a research project is undertaken. The topic of the project will be determined in consultation with the course coordinator. In addition, the processes involved in conducting various forms of research, basic data analysis and interpretation, research writing and presentation skills are covered.
PHYS5020 Computation and Image Processing
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
In this unit normally undertaken as part of the Masters of Medical Physics degree or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics, Monte Carlo modelling of radiation transport is covered, along with the theory of image formation, concepts of computing, numerical methods and image processing, including techniques such as enhancement, registration, fusion and 3D reconstruction.
Master of Applied Nuclear Science
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
|
Code |
Course title |
|---|---|
|
LF039 |
Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science |
|
LC051 |
Master of Applied Nuclear Science |
2 Attendance pattern
0.
The attendance pattern for these courses is full time or part time according to candidate choice.
3 Master's type
4 Embedded courses in this sequence
5 Admission to candidature
(1)
With approval from the Dean available places will be offered to qualified applicants according to the following admissions criteria:
(a)
a bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification, provided the applicant has achieved a major in Physics, or equivalent.
(b)
In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants to the Graduate Diploma without the listed qualifications but whose evidence of experience and achievement is deemed by the Dean to be equivalent.
(a)
a bachelor's degree in Science with a physics major or a bachelor's degree in Engineering, with a credit average or
(b)
a bachelor's degree with honours in Science or Engineering from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification, provided the applicant has achieved a major in Physics, or equivalent; or
6 Requirements for award
(1)
The units of study that may be taken for these awards are set out in the Applied Nuclear Science postgraduate coursework degree table.
(2)
To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science, a candidate must complete 48 credit points of core units of study.
(3)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Applied Nuclear Science, a candidate must complete 72 credit points of core units of study.
7 Transitional provisions
Course overview
The Master of Applied Nuclear Science (MApplNucSci) and the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science (GradDipApplNucSci) are designed to meet the growing needs both within Australia and globally for individuals with a postgraduate education and training in nuclear science and technology. Both award courses build upon a Physics major and provide a level and type of specialisation that is not available at the undergraduate level.
Candidates will normally commence their study in Semester 1, except with the permission of the Dean.
Course outcomes
Graduates of the MApplNucSci and GradDipApplNucSci degrees will have gained a comprehensive understanding of nuclear science and its applications. Graduates of the Master's program will have gained, in addition, research experience. Both courses will enable students to gain entry into the specialist field of nuclear science or into occupations where knowledge of this field is desirable. It will also provide an opportunity for those already working in the field of nuclear science to gain further experience in this field of science and technology.
Graduates of the Master of Applied Nuclear Science are eligible to apply for admission to a research degree (PhD).
Nuclear Science postgraduate coursework degree table
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
All Degrees: Core Units |
|||
| PHYS5011 Nuclear Physics |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PHYS5012 Radiation Physics and Dosimetry |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PHYS5013 Nuclear Instrumentation |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PHYS5014 Applications of Nuclear Physics |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PHYS5015 Reactor Physics and Systems |
6 | P PHYS5011 and PHYS5013 |
Semester 2 |
| PHYS5016 Nuclear Chemistry and Nuclear Fuel Cycle |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| PHYS5017 Energy Options and Environment |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| PHYS5018 Health Physics and Radiation Protection |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Masters: Additional Core Unit |
|||
| PHYS5019 Research Methodology and Project |
24 | P Successful completion of the eight coursework units of the postgraduate coursework Masters degree for which the student is enrolled, equivalent to completion of the requirements for award of the Graduate Diploma. Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Unit of study descriptions 2011
PHYS5011 Nuclear Physics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 3 hour lecture per week Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science or the Master of Medical Physics or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics. Nuclear properties, nuclear models, nuclear decays (gamma, beta, alpha and heavy ion decay), natural radioactivity and radioactive decay series, artificial radioactivity, nuclear reactions (including high energy nuclear particle induced spallation reactions), nuclear fission (spontaneous and induced fission) and nuclear fusion are covered.
PHYS5012 Radiation Physics and Dosimetry
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Medical Physics degree or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics or the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science. Sources of radiation, interaction of radiation with matter, physical, chemical and biological effects of radiation in human tissue, physical principles of dosimetry, internal and external dosimetry, radiation units and measurement are covered.
PHYS5013 Nuclear Instrumentation
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science. It covers principles and operation of nuclear particle detectors, gas-filled detectors (ionisation chambers, Geiger counter, proportional counter), scintillation detectors (organic and inorganic scintillators), solid state detectors (Surface barrier detectors, GeLi detectors, Pin diodes), nuclear track detectors, neutron detectors (BF3, He-3, He-4 detectors, fission counters), nuclear data acquisition methods and data analysis (counting statistics and error prediction).
PHYS5014 Applications of Nuclear Physics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science. It presents the diverse range of applications of nuclear physics, such as nuclear medicine (including hadron therapy), environmental science, geochronology and radiocarbon dating, biogeochemistry, Hydrology, and applications of radioisotopes in agriculture and industry. Neutron activation analysis and applications of neutron scattering in material space, accelerator technology in research (e.g., accelerator mass spectrometry, ion beam analysis) and issues related to nuclear safeguards are also covered.
PHYS5015 Reactor Physics and Systems
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Prerequisites: PHYS5011 and PHYS5013 Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science. It covers the following: physical properties of neutrons, interaction of neutrons with matter, neutron cross-sections, nuclear fission, diffusion of neutrons, neutron moderation, neutron chain reacting systems, thermal and fast reactors, nuclear reactor dynamics, production and transmutation of radionuclides.
PHYS5016 Nuclear Chemistry and Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science. It covers nuclear fuel materials, reactor fuel production, properties of fuel element materials, processing of spent fuel, nuclear waste disposal and transmutation methods, liquid waste, gaseous waste and solid waste.
PHYS5017 Energy Options and Environment
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour tutorial per week. Assessment: Major essay, assignments, tutorial paper and presentation, and short test (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science. It covers the following: fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas); renewable energies (solar, wind, wave, biomass, geothermal); nuclear electricity (fission); relative advantages; environmental impact and economical viability.
PHYS5018 Health Physics and Radiation Protection
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Medical Physics degree or in the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics or the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science. Physical and biological aspects of the safe use of ionising radiation, physical principles and underlying shielding design instrumentation, international and legislative requirements for radiation protection are covered. Factors affecting dose response of tissue are considered along with models describing characteristic behaviour.
PHYS5019 Research Methodology and Project
Credit points: 24 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Prerequisites: Successful completion of the eight coursework units of the postgraduate coursework Masters degree for which the student is enrolled, equivalent to completion of the requirements for award of the Graduate Diploma. Assessment: Report, research seminar (100%)
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
In this unit a research project is undertaken. The topic of the project will be determined in consultation with the course coordinator. In addition, the processes involved in conducting various forms of research, basic data analysis and interpretation, research writing and presentation skills are covered.
PHYS5020 Computation and Image Processing
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
In this unit normally undertaken as part of the Masters of Medical Physics degree or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics, Monte Carlo modelling of radiation transport is covered, along with the theory of image formation, concepts of computing, numerical methods and image processing, including techniques such as enhancement, registration, fusion and 3D reconstruction.
Master of Photonics and Optical Science
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
|
Code |
Course title |
|---|---|
|
LF041 |
Graduate Diploma in Photonics and Optical Science |
|
LC053 |
Master of Photonics and Optical Science |
2 Attendance pattern
0.
The attendance pattern for these courses is full time or part time according to candidate choice.
3 Master's type
4 Embedded courses in this sequence
(2)
Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any course in this sequence. Only the highest award completed will be conferred.
5 Admission to candidature
(1)
With approval from the Dean, available places will be offered to qualified applicants according to the following admissions criteria:
(a)
a bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification, provided the applicant has achieved a major in Physics, or equivalent.
(b)
In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants to the Graduate Diploma without the listed qualifications but whose evidence of experience and achievement is deemed by the Dean to be equivalent.
(b)
a bachelor's degree with honours in Science or Engineering from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification, provided the applicant has achieved a major in Physics or equivalent; or
6 Requirements for award
(1)
The units of study that may be taken for these awards are set out in the Photonics and Optical Science postgraduate coursework degree table.
(2)
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Photonics and Optical Science a candidate must complete 48 credit points of core units of study.
(3)
To qualify for the Master of Photonics and Optical Science a candidate must complete 72 credit points of core units of study.
7 Transitional provisions
The Graduate Diploma in Photonics and Optical Science and the Master of Photonics and Optical Science are articulated coursework programs that allow a degree of flexibility in the depth at which studies are undertaken and the choice of subjects studied.
This section sets out the requirements for coursework postgraduate degrees offered in the Faculty of Science in the area of Photonics and Optical Science. A comprehensive guide to the requirements and units of study of the coursework degrees is listed.
The information in this section is in summary form and is subordinate to the provisions of the relevant degree Resolutions, collected variously in at the end of this chapter, following the unit of study descriptions, or in the University of Sydney Calendar. The Calendar is available for sale at the Student Centre, for viewing at the faculty office or the Library, or on the Web at:
www.usyd.edu.au/publications/calendar.
Course overview
The Master of Photonics and Optical Science is taken over three semesters of full-time study with two of those semesters comprised of coursework and one semester of study towards a research project carried out under the supervision of academic staff in the School of Physics. Each semester of coursework comprises four 6 unit courses in the following subject areas:
- Optical Instrumentation and Imaging
- Guided wave optics and communications applications
- Lasers and optical devices
- Optical materials and methods
- Physical and nonlinear optics
- Quantum optics and nanophotonics
- Biophotonics and microscopy
- Optics in industry
Course outcomes
This course provides a professional level of education in optics and photonics with training applicable to employment in in communications, optical and scientific instruments and optical techniques in biology and medical applications. The course is suitable both for those training for senior positions in optical industries or as preparation for a PhD.
Photonics and Optical Science postgraduate coursework degree table
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Diploma and Masters: Core Units |
|||
| PHYS5021 Optical Instrumentation and Imaging |
6 | A Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in physics. |
Semester 2 |
| PHYS5022 Optical Materials and Methods |
6 | A Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in physics, or equivalent. |
Semester 1 |
| PHYS5024 Optical Sources and Detectors |
6 | P Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in Physics, or equivalent. |
Semester 1 |
| PHYS5025 Biophotonics and Microscopy |
6 | A Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in physics, or equivalent. |
Semester 2 |
| PHYS5026 Physical and Nonlinear Optics |
6 | A Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in physics, or equivalent. |
Semester 1 |
| PHYS5027 Quantum Optics and Nanophotonics |
6 | A Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in physics, or equivalent. |
Semester 2 |
| PHYS5028 Optics in Industry |
6 | A Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in physics, or equivalent. |
Semester 2 |
Masters: Additional Core Unit |
|||
| PHYS5019 Research Methodology and Project |
24 | P Successful completion of the eight coursework units of the postgraduate coursework Masters degree for which the student is enrolled, equivalent to completion of the requirements for award of the Graduate Diploma. Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Photonics and Optical Science unit of study descriptions 2011
PHYS5019 Research Methodology and Project
Credit points: 24 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Prerequisites: Successful completion of the eight coursework units of the postgraduate coursework Masters degree for which the student is enrolled, equivalent to completion of the requirements for award of the Graduate Diploma. Assessment: Report, research seminar (100%)
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
In this unit a research project is undertaken. The topic of the project will be determined in consultation with the course coordinator. In addition, the processes involved in conducting various forms of research, basic data analysis and interpretation, research writing and presentation skills are covered.
PHYS5021 Optical Instrumentation and Imaging
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Gordon Robertson Session: Semester 2 Classes: Total of 20 lectures, 10 two hour practicals. Assumed knowledge: Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in physics. Assessment: One 2-hour exam, tutorial papers, practical reports (100%)
Optical instrumentation covers the basics of geometrical optics before moving on to a detailed overview of the principles and practice of optical design principles of image formation, lenses and mirrors, aberrations and tolerancing. The course will cover different design examples - collimators, cameras, objective lenses. Students will gain experience in working with optical design software.
The Imaging component of the course provides training in the mathematical techniques used to analyse an image recorded by an electronic camera to recover information of interest. Students will be given an overview of image processing principles, and learn about processing in the spatial and frequency domains. The course covers noise removal, tomography and image restoration techniques. This section of the course will be complemented by laboratory sessions in which students manipulate images using one of the data processing packages (IDL, Matlab).
The Imaging component of the course provides training in the mathematical techniques used to analyse an image recorded by an electronic camera to recover information of interest. Students will be given an overview of image processing principles, and learn about processing in the spatial and frequency domains. The course covers noise removal, tomography and image restoration techniques. This section of the course will be complemented by laboratory sessions in which students manipulate images using one of the data processing packages (IDL, Matlab).
PHYS5022 Optical Materials and Methods
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Maryanne Large Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two hours of lectures and a one hour practical per week. Assumed knowledge: Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in physics, or equivalent. Assessment: One 2-hour examination, practical reports, and assignments (100%)
This unit of study introduces students to the properties and use of modern optical materials such as glasses, semiconductors, polymers and liquid crystals. We analyse the effect of electronic and crystallographic properties on the generation and propagation of light in these materials. We study fundamental methods for producing modern optical materials, which includes techniques to fabricate optically active glasses, to grow bulk semiconductor crystals and compound semiconductor heterostructures, and to deposit organic semiconducting polymers.
We will discuss advanced concepts such as generating abrupt interfaces, p-i-n junctions and doping profiles that are important concepts in the context of band gap engineering and low-dimensional semiconductor heterostructures, such as Quantum Wells or Quantum Dots. Students are then introduced to methods of micro-fabricating optical devices from these materials, including patterning by conventional optical lithography and novel Nanoimprint lithography, structuring by wet and dry etching and deposition of electrical contacts. The properties and fabrication techniques for optical thin films will also be covered.
Students will receive training in the use of modern microfabrication tools (e.g. electron beam lithography, reactive ion etching, thin film deposition).
We will discuss advanced concepts such as generating abrupt interfaces, p-i-n junctions and doping profiles that are important concepts in the context of band gap engineering and low-dimensional semiconductor heterostructures, such as Quantum Wells or Quantum Dots. Students are then introduced to methods of micro-fabricating optical devices from these materials, including patterning by conventional optical lithography and novel Nanoimprint lithography, structuring by wet and dry etching and deposition of electrical contacts. The properties and fabrication techniques for optical thin films will also be covered.
Students will receive training in the use of modern microfabrication tools (e.g. electron beam lithography, reactive ion etching, thin film deposition).
PHYS5024 Optical Sources and Detectors
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr David Moss Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two hours of lectures and a one hour tutorial/ practical per week averaged over the semester. Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in Physics, or equivalent. Assessment: One 2-hour examination, and two assignments (100%)
This unit of study provides a detailed overview of sources and detectors of optical radiation as well as optical amplifiers. Lasers, light emitting diodes, optical amplifiers and other sources of radiation are covered. Students will study the principles of operation and application of a range of different lasers including diode lasers, fibre lasers and solid state diode-pumped lasers; modelocking and short pulse lasers and high power gas lasers. The properties of semiconductor lasers, amplifiers and detectors will be explained in terms of the materials properties of semiconductors.
PHYS5025 Biophotonics and Microscopy
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Boris Kuhlmey Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 1-hour lecture per week and an average of 0.5 hour tutorials and 1.5 practical hours per week over the semester. Assumed knowledge: Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in physics, or equivalent. Assessment: One 2-hour examination, three assignments, and practical assessment (100%)
Biophotonics is the use of optical techniques to probe living tissue either via imaging or spectral analysis. In this course we cover the basics of imaging in tissue and cover the principles of the main microscopy techniques: fluorescence imaging, confocal microscopy, two-photon microscopy, optical coherence tomography and endoscopic imaging. Using EMU facilities, students will be provided with practical training in these techniques. Approaches to biochemical detection, Raman spectroscopy, surface plasmon sensors will be covered. The course will also include lectures on laser tweezers and microfluidics, both of which are used for analyzing small biological samples.
PHYS5026 Physical and Nonlinear Optics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Martijn de Sterke Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two hours of lectures and one hour tutorial, alternated with 3-5 hours laboratory work per week. Assumed knowledge: Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in physics, or equivalent. Assessment: One 3-hour examination, assignments, and laboratory work (100%)
This unit of study provides a rigorous introduction to physical optics and to nonlinear optics. Physical optics includes polarization, coherence, diffraction, Fourier properties of lenses and optical systems, spatial filtering and holography. Nonlinear optics starts with nonlinear polarization and covers Chi-2 effects (electro optic effect, second harmonic generation) and Chi-3 effects (self and cross phase modulation). Nonlinear wave propagation is examined by solving the nonlinear Schrodinger equation, which elucidates a range of physical phenomena including four wave mixing and soliton generation and their impact on communications systems.
Textbooks
"Light and Matter" by Yehuda Band (Wiley, 2006)
PHYS5027 Quantum Optics and Nanophotonics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof. Stephen Bartlett Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 1-hour lecture, one hour tutorial, and one hour seminar per week. Assumed knowledge: Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in physics, or equivalent. Assessment: One 2-hour examination and assignments (100%)
Quantum optics will introduce the quantization of light and photon statistics, and cover a range of topics of current interest including intensity interferometry, quantum cryptography, optical quantum computing and atom optics including Bose Einstein condensates and atom lasers. Emphasis will be on qualitative understanding rather than rigorous mathematical descriptions.
Nanophotonics covers light propagation through materials with sub-wavelength structuring so light is guided not only by refraction but also diffraction. This leads to the study of photonic crystals including photonic crystal fibres, plasmonics, photonic 'nanowires' and metamaterials. The course also provides opportunities for students to use powerful finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation packages to design devices like high Q nano-resonators using these materials, and discusses how such devices are actually made.
Nanophotonics covers light propagation through materials with sub-wavelength structuring so light is guided not only by refraction but also diffraction. This leads to the study of photonic crystals including photonic crystal fibres, plasmonics, photonic 'nanowires' and metamaterials. The course also provides opportunities for students to use powerful finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation packages to design devices like high Q nano-resonators using these materials, and discusses how such devices are actually made.
PHYS5028 Optics in Industry
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Chris Walsh Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 1-hour lecture per week, and two hours of tutorials per week. Assumed knowledge: Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering, with a major in physics, or equivalent. Assessment: One 2000-word essay and practical assessments (100%)
This unit of study will first provide students with a detailed optical analysis of a consumer or industry product whose operation embodies many of the principles discussed in this course. Examples include a phone camera or a DVD player.
Next, students will study the factors that become increasingly important when working as a professional in an industry/commercial environment. These include Intellectual property, Business plans and Project Management. This component of the unit will comprise lectures from University staff with industry experience and guest speakers from industry.
There will be a project-based activity in which students will be required to develop a business case for a specific product and draw up a project plan.
Next, students will study the factors that become increasingly important when working as a professional in an industry/commercial environment. These include Intellectual property, Business plans and Project Management. This component of the unit will comprise lectures from University staff with industry experience and guest speakers from industry.
There will be a project-based activity in which students will be required to develop a business case for a specific product and draw up a project plan.