Silicon Photonics Design, Fabrication and Data Analysis from edX

This short course teaches students and industry professionals how to design integrated optical devices and circuits, using a hands-on approach with commercial tools. We will fabricate your designs using a state-of-the-art ($5M) silicon photonic rapid-prototyping 100 keV electron-beam lithography facility. We will measure your designs using an automated optical probe station and provide you the data. You will then analyze your experimental data.

Why take this course?

To get hands on design experience with integrated optics
To learn how to use advanced optical design tools
To get your design fabricated, and obtain experimental data

The focus of this course is a design project, guided by lectures, tutorials and activities. As a first-time designer, you will design an interferometer, which is a widely used device in many applications such as communications (modulation, switching) and sensing. Specifically, it is Mach-Zehnder Interferometer, consisting of fibre grating couplers, two splitters, and optical waveguides. For advanced designers, this course is an opportunity to design many other devices, such as directional couplers, ring, racetrack and disk resonators, Bragg gratings including grating assisted contra-directional couplers, photonic crystals, multi-mode interference (MMI) couplers, polarization diversity components, mode-division multiplexing (MDM) components and circuits, novel waveguides such as sub-wavelength grating (SWG) and metamaterial waveguides, slot waveguides, etc.

This course includes commercial software tool licenses (Lumerical Solutions, MATLAB, Luceda and Tidy3D) and uses open-source tools (KLayout, SiEPIC-Tools, gdsfactory and Python).

You will earn a professional certificate from the University of British Columbia and edX upon successful completion of this course. Certificates can be uploaded directly to your LinkedIn profile.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Optical modelling tools
Mask layout tools

Design of optical devices and circuits
Data analysis techniques

Optical modelling tools
Mask layout tools
Design of optical devices and circuits
Data analysis techniques

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Governments, particularly those within the EU and North America, offer grants to businesses and organizations that work within these industries

Covers advanced topics that are at the bleeding-edge of contemporary research and development

Taught by Lukas Chrostowski, a researcher who is recognized for their work in Electromagnetics

Develops skills that are not only useful in academia but also in industry

This course is part of a series of courses on Silicon Photonics

Students receive a professional certificate upon completion

Reviews summary

Intense but rewarding photonics course

Learners say that this intense and challenging course on Silicon Photonics Design, Fabrication, and Data Analysis is a fantastic experience. While it's described as project-based with lots of theory lectures, students appreciate that the instructors are receptive to feedback and willing to make improvements.

Instructors are open to student feedback and making improvements.

"There was some minor things that could have been done better, but they seemed receptive to the students' feedback."

Despite the intensity, learners find this course to be a positive experience.

"It was quite intense. But as many intense things in life, like climbing a mountain, it was a fantastic experience."

This course requires lots of time and effort.

"These are some intense weeks."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Silicon Photonics Design, Fabrication and Data Analysis with these activities:

Follow tutorials on using MATLAB

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Complete online tutorials or workshops to familiarize yourself with the MATLAB software, which is used extensively in this course for data analysis and modeling.

Browse courses on MATLAB

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Enroll in online courses or tutorials on MATLAB.
Follow step-by-step instructions to learn the basics of MATLAB.
Complete coding exercises and projects to practice using MATLAB.
Seek help from online forums or mentors if needed.

Review Calculus II

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Review basic concepts of Calculus II, such as integration techniques, sequences, and series, to strengthen your mathematical foundation for this course.

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Go over your notes and textbooks from Calculus II.
Practice solving problems related to integration techniques, sequences, and series.
Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding.

Join a study group for optical design

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Engage with peers by forming or joining a study group to discuss course concepts, work on assignments together, and support each other's learning journeys.

Browse courses on Optical Design

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Identify or form a study group with classmates.
Set regular meeting times and study schedules.
Discuss course materials, solve problems, and share knowledge.
Provide support and encouragement to each other.

Four other activities

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Practice solving optical modeling problems

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Engage in regular practice by solving optical modeling problems, using the concepts covered in the course, to improve your problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding of optical principles.

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Collect practice problems from textbooks, online resources, or the course materials.
Attempt to solve the problems independently.
Check your solutions against provided answers or consult with peers or instructors for feedback.
Identify areas where you need improvement and focus on those concepts.

Create a visual representation of an optical device

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Choose an optical device covered in the course and create a visual representation, such as a diagram, infographic, or 3D model, to enhance your understanding of its design and functionality.

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Select an optical device from the course materials.
Research the device's design and principles of operation.
Choose a visual representation format (e.g., diagram, infographic, 3D model).
Create the visual representation using appropriate tools or software.
Present or share your visual representation with others for feedback.

Design and simulate a basic optical circuit

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Apply your knowledge and skills to design and simulate a basic optical circuit, such as a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, to reinforce your understanding of optical principles and circuit design techniques.

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Review the principles of optical circuit design.
Choose a basic optical circuit to design and simulate.
Select appropriate design and simulation software.
Design and simulate the optical circuit.
Analyze the simulation results and refine your design as needed.

Attend a workshop on advanced optical design techniques

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Seek out and participate in workshops or conferences that offer training on advanced optical design techniques, such as finite element analysis or optimization algorithms, to expand your knowledge and skills.

Browse courses on Optics

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Research and identify relevant workshops or conferences.
Register for and attend the selected workshop.
Actively participate in the workshop sessions.
Network with experts and other attendees.

Career center

Learners who complete Silicon Photonics Design, Fabrication and Data Analysis will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Optical Engineer

Optical Engineers design, develop, and test optical systems and components. They use their knowledge of optics to create devices that transmit, manipulate, or detect light. This course may be useful for Optical Engineers who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical Engineer

Photonics Engineer

Photonics Engineers design, develop, and test photonic devices and systems. They use their knowledge of optics and electronics to create devices that generate, transmit, or detect light. This course may be useful for Photonics Engineers who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photonics Engineer

Optical System Designer

Optical System Designers design and develop optical systems for a variety of applications, including telecommunications, medical imaging, and lasers. They use their knowledge of optics to create systems that meet specific performance requirements. This course may be useful for Optical System Designers who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical System Designer

Optical Device Designer

Optical Device Designers design and develop optical devices, such as lenses, mirrors, and prisms. They use their knowledge of optics to create devices that meet specific performance requirements. This course may be useful for Optical Device Designers who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical Device Designer

Optical Circuit Designer

Optical Circuit Designers design and develop optical circuits, which are used to connect optical devices and systems. They use their knowledge of optics to create circuits that meet specific performance requirements. This course may be useful for Optical Circuit Designers who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical Circuit Designer

Optical Network Designer

Optical Network Designers design and develop optical networks, which are used to transmit data over long distances. They use their knowledge of optics to create networks that meet specific performance requirements. This course may be useful for Optical Network Designers who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical Network Designer

Optical Test Engineer

Optical Test Engineers test optical devices, systems, and networks to ensure that they meet performance requirements. They use their knowledge of optics to develop and implement test procedures. This course may be useful for Optical Test Engineers who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical Test Engineer

Optical Manufacturing Engineer

Optical Manufacturing Engineers oversee the manufacturing of optical devices, systems, and networks. They use their knowledge of optics to ensure that products are manufactured to meet performance requirements. This course may be useful for Optical Manufacturing Engineers who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical Manufacturing Engineer

Optical Sales Engineer

Optical Sales Engineers sell optical devices, systems, and networks to customers. They use their knowledge of optics to help customers select the right products for their needs. This course may be useful for Optical Sales Engineers who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical Sales Engineer

Optical Marketing Manager

Optical Marketing Managers develop and implement marketing plans for optical products and services. They use their knowledge of optics to create marketing materials that appeal to customers. This course may be useful for Optical Marketing Managers who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical Marketing Manager

Optical Product Manager

Optical Product Managers manage the development and launch of optical products. They use their knowledge of optics to ensure that products meet customer needs. This course may be useful for Optical Product Managers who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical Product Manager

Photonic Device Physicist

Photonic Device Physicists research and develop new photonic devices. They use their knowledge of physics to create devices that have improved performance and efficiency. This course may be useful for Photonic Device Physicists who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photonic Device Physicist

Optical System Analyst

Optical System Analysts analyze the performance of optical systems. They use their knowledge of optics to identify and solve problems. This course may be useful for Optical System Analysts who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical System Analyst

Optical Consultant

Optical Consultants provide advice to clients on optical matters. They use their knowledge of optics to help clients solve problems and make decisions. This course may be useful for Optical Consultants who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical Consultant

Optical Educator

Optical Educators teach optical science and engineering to students. They use their knowledge of optics to help students learn about the field. This course may be useful for Optical Educators who want to learn about the latest advances in silicon photonics design and fabrication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Optical Educator