Writing your thesis

March 2nd 2011 Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan

Department of Electrical Engineering

Outline
Before you begin Good practices Bad practices Assessment Questions and Answers

Before you begin

One writer many readers
Burden on writer to communicate efficiently Make a calculated judgment on how basic/advanced the thesis will be

Before you begin

Do the homework
Pick up a good thesis and see how things are done Masters or PhD thesis should be OK
Start early

Before you begin

Tell a story

Before you begin

No limit to number of chapters, and how long a chapter should be
Should fit into a nicely told story

Good practices
Abstract : should be quantitative where possible
Describe results obtained Do not put anything introductory in nature. Perhaps a sentence or two would do

Good practices
This thesis describes a series of experimental studies concerning waveguide structures based on the direct UV and direct grating writing fabrication techniques. The latter approach allows simultaneous definition of waveguide structures and Bragg gratings. The first result of this work describes the fabrication and characterisation of small angle X-couplers that exhibit low polarisation and wavelength dependence. Maximum and minimum coupling ratios of 95% (0.8%) and 1.9% (1%) respectively with typical excess loss of 1.0dB (0.5dB) were recorded. Device modelling using Beam Propagation Method (BPM) and an analytical model showed good agreement with experimental results over a broad crossing angle and wavelength range. By introducing refractive index asymmetry in 2 X-couplers, it was possible to tune the response to give a 50:50 coupling ratio. Multiple UV exposure experiments investigated the 'proximity effect' and provided further proof of the ability of UV writing to produce raised waist index X-couplers. A first order Bragg grating electrically tunable via liquid crystal index modification with a maximum tunability of 141 GHz at 1562nm (TM polarised) and 114 GHZ at 1561.8nm (TE polarised) using electro-patterned ITO coated glass electrodes is also presented. The 141GHz tuning range effectively covers up to five 25 GHz WDM channel spacing and was achieved with 170Vpp sinusoidal 1 kHz supply voltage. Hysteretic behaviour of the tuning curves was observed and is believed to be related to the dynamics of the disclination line formed along the waveguide axis with increase or decrease in supply voltage. Finally, a description of the successful demonstration of UV-written single channels, y-splitters, and Bragg gratings into a novel flat fibre substrate is provided. Utilising a series of Bragg gratings enabled assessment of the core layer uniformity and birefringence.

Good practices
Introduction : should introduce
The setting - overview What is the problem you wish to solve Objective(s) those you need to fulfill to solve the above problems Thesis structure

Good practices
The chapter previously known as Literature Review
There should NOT be any chapters called Literature Review Should be Introduction to .., or Flat Fibres: A Brief Overview Should be scientifically thick Show that you have read a lot

Good practices
The chapter previously known as Literature Review
Use tables
Material (typical refractive

Index
contrast n

Waveguide fabrication

Typical propagation
loss

Refs.

index)+
SiO2:Si (SiO2 1.4 - 1.5, Si 3.3 3.5) Lithium niobate (LiNbO3 2.2)
Indium phosphide

5 - 7 (x 10-3)

i.

photolithography & etching

ii.

direct UV writing

0.03 - 0.1dB/cm

[4-6]

10-3

i. zinc/titanium in-diffusion ii. proton exchange i. photolithography & etching

0.1 1dB/cm

[7]

(InP 3.3)

Up to 0.1

> 1dB/cm

[3]

Polymers (n 1.3 1.6)

i. photolithography & etching Up to 10-3 ii. laser ablation iii. moulding/embossing

0.01dB/cm (= 840nm) 0.1dB/cm ( = 1550nm)

[8]

Good practices
The chapter previously known as Literature Review
Use flow diagrams (to indicate technology placing)

Good practices
The chapter previously known as Literature Review
Use diagrams

Good practices
Experimental configurations
Use diagrams and images : bring readers there

Good practices
To indicate dynamic behaviors
Use composite graphs

Good practices
To show dynamic behaviors
Use composite graphs

Bad practices
Methodology approach in solving project problem
NOT methodology in performing the project

TLAs too many

NO TLAs in title

Schoolboy errors
Spelling errors Graphs without axis labels

Extreme Cut and Paste

Bad image resolution (referencing is a MUST) n = n1-n2

Assessment
How your thesis will be assessed
Limit to 50-pages long (including diagrams, and tables)

Questions?