MSE Master of Science in Engineering

The Swiss engineering master's degree


Each module contains 3 ECTS. You choose a total of 10 modules/30 ECTS in the following module categories: 

  • 12-15 ECTS in technical scientific modules (TSM)
    TSM modules teach profile-specific specialist skills and supplement the decentralised specialisation modules.
  • 9-12 ECTS in fundamental theoretical principles modules (FTP)
    FTP modules deal with theoretical fundamentals such as higher mathematics, physics, information theory, chemistry, etc. They will teach more detailed, abstract scientific knowledge and help you to bridge the gap between abstraction and application that is so important for innovation.
  • 6-9 ECTS in context modules (CM)
    CM modules will impart additional skills in areas such as technology management, business administration, communication, project management, patent law, contract law, etc.

In the module description (download pdf) you find the entire language information per module divided into the following categories:

  • instruction
  • documentation
  • examination 
Applied Photonics (TSM_AppPhot)

Applied photonics offers an insight into various application areas of photonics, such as optoelectronics, waveguide optics, micro-optics and several application examples. Starting from the basic physics of light matter interaction, the module covers various topics of modern optoelectronics in the field of light detection systems and light sources. After an introduction to the basics of light guiding and the occurrence of fiber modes, loss and dispersion mechanisms in fibers are discussed. The module gives an overview of different types of fibers and shows the importance of single mode fibers, specialty fibers and integrated waveguides for modern photonic applications. Furthermore, microoptical components are introduced to emphasize their advantages for light shaping, beam guidance and fiber coupling. The module is rounded off by a selection of special applications such as optical telecom, fiber measurement and sensor technology, organic electronics, optical biosensors, smart lighting concepts or similar topics.

Prerequisites

  • Optics: Basics of wave and geometrical optics;
    without optics basics during bachelor studies, the EVA "Fundamentals of light" should be visited before visiting further TSM modules.
  • Physics: Basics for engineers (bachelor niveau)
  • Electronics: Basic analog electronics (bachelor niveau)

Learning Objectives

After successfully completing this course the student

  • understands the main principles of light matter interaction
  • has a clear picture of the different types of semiconductor light sources and detectors used today
  • knows how micro optics can be used to shape light in modern photonic systems
  • knows the principles of light guiding in optical waveguides including losses and dispersion
  • is familiar with different types of fibers and waveguides and their fields of applications
  • knows how to select and apply sources, detectors, micro optics and fibers for designing photonic systems

Contents of Module

  1. Fundamentals of light-matter interaction (absorption, emission, scattering) (1 week)
  2. Optoelectronics (4 weeks):
    1. detectors: photodiodes, photomultipliers, CCDs, CMOS sensors and dedicated electronic circuits
    2. sources: LEDs, SLEDs, OLEDs, laser diodes
  3. Micro-optics: ROEs and DOEs (1 week)
  4. Fibers & Waveguides (4 weeks): 
    1. modes in planar waveguides and fibers, loss mechanisms and dispersion
    2. single mode fibers, specialty fibers and integrated waveguides
  5. Photonic systems (4 weeks):
    modern applications that illustrate the importance of optoelectronics, micro-optics and fiber optics like e.g. optical telecom, fiber metrology and sensing, organic electronics, optical biosensors, smart lighting concepts and many others more

Teaching and Learning Methods

  • Lectures and self-study
  • Practical exercises 

Literature

Lecturers' scripts with references to current literature

Textbook: Optoelectronics & Photonics: Principles & Practices (2nd Edition), S.O. Kasap, Pearson Education Limited

Download full module description

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