ME 5347 Optics and Photonics for Mechanical Engineers

Course Syllabus, Fall 2020

Instructor: Prof. Yongmin Liu, Office: 267 Snell, Tel.: 617-373-4457, Email: y.liu@northeastern.edu
Scheduled Lectures: 11:45 am - 1:25 pm, Monday and Thursday, Ryder Hall 296
Office Hours: 10:00 am-11:00 am on Monday, and other time by appointment.
Course Description: Optics and photonics play a vital role in both fundamental science and cutting-edge
technologies. This course introduces the basic knowledge and recent development in the field of optics
and photonics. The property of light will be explained from four perspectives: geometric optics, wave
optics, electromagnetic optics based on Maxwell’s equations, as well as quantum mechanics. The
interactions between light and materials, ranging from bulk to nano and molecular level, will be
discussed. Representative applications relevant to mechanical engineers will be presented, including
but not limited to imaging and microscopy, advanced manufacturing (e.g., photolithography and 3D
laser printing), energy harvesting (e.g., photovoltaics, solar desalination and radiative cooling), and
opto-mechanical engineering (e.g., optical tweezers to manipulate micro/nano objects and solar sails
for spacecraft propulsion).
Prerequisites: PHYS 1155-Physics for Engineering 2, or PHYS 1165- Physics 2, or equivalent
Recommended Textbooks:
(1) Bahaa E. A. Saleh and Malvin C. Teich, Fundamentals of Photonics, third edition, Wiley, 2019
(2) Safa O. Kasap, Optoelectronics & Photonics: Principles & Practices, second edition, Pearson, 2013
(3) Stefan A. Maier, Plasmonics: Fundamentals and Applications, Springer, 2007
Course Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course will gain an understanding of:
(1) Basics of ray optics
(2) Fundamentals of electromagnetics
(3) Basic quantum mechanics
(4) Optical properties of materials
(5) Various applications of optics and photonics that are of interest in mechanical engineering
Grading:
Grades are based on accumulated points, out of 100 possible. Minimum points for ME 5347 grades: A
(91), A- (87.7), B+ (84.3), B (81), B- (77.7), C+ (74.3) C (71), C- (67.7), D+ (64.3), D (61), D- (57.7). Points
are distributed as follows:
(1) Class Participation: 5 points
(2) Homework: 6 handed-in homework assignments count for total 30 points. Late homework loses
50% credit per day. Handed-in homework that is more than 2 days late will not earn credit unless
there is a documented legitimate reason (e.g., medical, jury duty or team sport absence).

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(3) Your ability to communicate technically through writing is an essential professional skill. Therefore,
not only will handed-in problems be graded for approach and correctness, but clarity and readability
will be critiqued, especially for some problems that need interpretation. Illustrating your problem,
defining variables, and providing clear explanation and interpretation are all desirable. Handed-in
problems that meet neatness / format / clarity are eligible for up to 10% bonus points, at grader or
instructor discretion.
(4) Quizzes: 2 quizzes count for total 10 points. There will be no makeup quizzes except for documented
legitimate reasons (e.g., medical, jury duty or team sport absence).
(5) Exams: one midterm counts for 25 points.
(6) Project Presentation and Report: 30 points. Students form a group (ideally 2 students each), and
prepare a special topic presentation related to nanophotonics (15 points). Each student needs to
submit an independent, final report to review the status of your selected topic, and ideally propose
a new idea in this area (15 points).
(7) A list of possible topics will be released later in the semester, along with details/guidelines for the
presentation and report. The report must be your individual, own work - you must cite all sources
used, and if you quote someone else's material, you must clearly indicate that. The report will be
checked by Turnitin to ensure the original writing.
Expectations and Policies:
(1) Class Attendance
Class attendance on time is strongly encouraged and is a part of the class participation grade.
Students are responsible for all material reviewed and assignments made.
(2) Teaching & Learning Platform
Canvas (https://canvas.northeastern.edu/) is used to make announcements, provide course
materials, and record your grades.
(3) Teacher Rating and Course Evaluation (TRACE)
Participation in TRACE is requested for all students, as it is an important part of ‘continuous
improvement’ of ME course offerings. If a class section’s participation in TRACE exceeds 85% by
Reading Day, all those students’ lowest homework grades will be raised to match the average of
their other homeworks.
(4) Recording of Classes
Classes will be recorded to enable all students to review material covered in synchronous classes.
Please contact me if you have any concerns.
(5) Academic Integrity
A commitment to the principles of academic integrity is essential to the mission of Northeastern
University. The promotion of independent and original scholarship ensures that students derive the
most from their educational experience and their pursuit of knowledge. Academic dishonesty violates
the most fundamental values of an intellectual community and undermines the achievements of the
entire University.
As members of the academic community, students must become familiar with their rights and
responsibilities. In each course, they are responsible for knowing the requirements and restrictions
regarding research and writing, examinations of whatever kind, collaborative work, the use of study
aids, the appropriateness of assistance, and other issues. Students are responsible for learning the
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 conventions of documentation and acknowledgment of sources in their fields. Northeastern University
expects students to complete all examinations, tests, papers, creative projects, and assignments of any
kind according to the highest ethical standards, as set forth either explicitly or implicitly in this Code or
by the direction of instructors.
Go to http://www.northeastern.edu/osccr/academic-integrity-policy/ to access the full academic
integrity policy.
(6) Student Accommodations
Northeastern University and the Disability Resource Center (DRC) are committed to providing disability
services that enable students who qualify under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the
Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) to participate fully in the activities of the
university. To receive accommodations through the DRC, students must provide appropriate
documentation that demonstrates a current substantially limiting disability.
For more information, visit http://www.northeastern.edu/drc/getting-started-with-the-drc/.
(7) Diversity and Inclusion
Northeastern University is committed to equal opportunity, affirmative action, diversity and social
justice while building a climate of inclusion on and beyond campus. In the classroom, members of the
University community work to cultivate an inclusive environment that denounces discrimination
through innovation, collaboration and an awareness of global perspectives on social justice. It is my
intention that students from all backgrounds and perspectives will be well served by this course, and
that the diversity that students bring to this class will be viewed as an asset. I welcome individuals of
all ages, backgrounds, beliefs, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, gender expressions, national
origins, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, socioeconomic background, family education level,
ability – and other visible and nonvisible differences. All members of this class are expected to
contribute to a respectful, welcoming and inclusive environment for every other member of the class.
Your suggestions are encouraged and appreciated.
Please visit http://www.northeastern.edu/oidi/ for complete information on Diversity and Inclusion.
(8) TITLE IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from sex or gender-based
discrimination, including discrimination based on gender-identity, in educational programs and
activities that receive federal financial assistance.
Northeastern’s Title IX Policy prohibits Prohibited Offenses, which are defined as sexual harassment,
sexual assault, relationship or domestic violence, and stalking. The Title IX Policy applies to the entire
community, including male, female, transgender students, faculty and staff.
In case of an emergency, please call 911.
Please visit www.northeastern.edu/titleix for a complete list of reporting options and resources both
on- and off-campus.

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 ME 5347 Optics and Photonics for Mechanical Engineers

Course Content and Calendar

Week Monday: date, topic Thursday: date, topic Assignment
1 9/10 course introduction
2 9/14 geometric optics 9/17 geometric optics Homework 1
(due 10/1)
3 9/21 wave optics 9/24 electromagnetics
4 9/28 electromagnetics 10/1 optical properties of bulk Homework 2
materials (due 10/15)
5 10/5 optical properties of bulk 10/8 quantum mechanics (wave-
materials (Quiz 1) particle duality)
6 10/12 Columbus Day, no class 10/15 quantum mechanics Homework 3
(Schrödinger equations) (due 10/29)
7 10/19 quantum mechanics 10/22 band theory of solids
(quantum emitters)
8 10/26 laser 10/29 laser Homework 4
(due 11/12)
9 11/2 imaging and microscopy 11/5 imaging and microscopy
(Quiz 2)
10 11/9 advanced manufacturing 11/12 advanced manufacturing Homework 5
(photolithography and 3D printing) (plasmon lithography) (due 11/19)
11 11/16 solar energy management 11/19 solar energy management
(photovoltaics) (solar desalination)
12 11/23 Midterm 11/26 Thanksgiving, no class Homework 6
(due 12/10)
13 11/30 solar energy management 12/3 opto-mechanics (optical
(radiative cooling) tweezers)
14 12/7 opto-mechanics (solar sails) 12/10 project presentation
15 12/14 Final week Term paper
(due 12/18)

Note: the syllabus, the calendar, and other course documents are subject to update as the course proceeds.

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