NOTE: In courses which include a laboratory, satisfactory completion of the laboratory work is required in order to pass the course.

Optical Engineering - Course Descriptions

OE 171 Photography and Holography 2R-0L-2C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Introduce students to basic knowledge of optics, principles and operation of a camera, shutters, films, and film development, color photography. Basic understanding of interference of waves, concept of holography, properties of various holograms, application of holography, and each student makes an individual hologram that can be seen in sunlight.
OE 172 Lasers and Fiber Optics 2R-0L-2C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Light, optics, image formation, and optical instruments. Introduction to the properties, physics of operation, types, and applications of lasers. Characteristics of optical fibers and optical communication systems. Applications of lasers and fibers in industry, medicine, and consumer products. Laser safety.
OE 199 Professional Experience 1R-0L-1C
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

The professional experiences course captures the practical work experiences related to the student’s academic discipline. Students are required to submit a formal document of their reflections, which communicates how their employment opportunity reinforced and enhanced their academic studies. The course will be graded as “S” satisfactory, or “U” unsatisfactory based on the written report of the professional experience.
OE 280 Geometrical Optics 3.5R-1.5L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

First-order optics including graphical ray tracing, Gaussian methods, y-nu ray tracing, cardinal points, apertures, stops, pupils, vignetting, and obscuration. Optical invariant, dispersion, chromatic aberrations, glass selection, exact ray tracing, third-order monochromatic aberrations, introduction to computer-aided design and analysis. Relevant laboratory experiments.
OE 290 Directed Research Arranged
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Research for freshmen and sophomore students under the direction of a physics and optical engineering faculty member. May earn up to a maximum of 2 credits for meeting the graduation requirements. The student must make arrangements with the faculty member for the research project prior to registering for this course.
OE 295 Photonic Devices & Systems 3.5R-1.5L-4C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113, and MA 221
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Optical radiation, radiometry, and photometry. Blackbody radiation and thermal sources. Introduction to optoelectronic devices. Light emitting diodes and other optical sources. Optical detectors (thermal, photoemissive, and semiconductor detectors). Sources/effects of noise and SNR. Flux transfer in optical systems. Relevant laboratory experiments.
OE 360 Optical Materials 4R-0L-4C W (every other year)
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 255, and PH 316
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Electromagnetic waves in dielectrics/metals and complex refractive index. Optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of materials. Thin film interference, optical coatings, and design of multilayer films. Optical characterization of materials. Electromagnetic waves in anisotropic materials, double refraction, optical activity, and polarization devices.
OE 392 Linear Optical Systems 4R-0L-4C W (every other year)
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 292, and MA 222
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Propagation of light and scalar diffraction theory. Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, coherence, Fourier series and transforms, convolution and correlation. Linear system theory, impulse and step response, transfer functions. Coherent and incoherent image formation, optical transfer function (OTF), modulation transfer function (MTF). Image quality assessment methods. Optical information processing applications.
OE 393 Fiber Optics & Applications 3.5R-1.5L-4C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113, and either PH 316 or ECE 340
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Step-index and graded-index fibers; single-mode and multi-mode fibers; numerical aperture; attenuation and dispersion; fabrication of optical fibers and cables; fiber measurements; source coupling, splices and connectors; point-to-point links; selected applications such as fiber optic sensors and fiber optic system components. Slab and cylindrical dielectric waveguides, silicon waveguides, mode cutoff conditions; effective index of propagating mode, examples of silicon passive and active devices. Relevant laboratory experiments.
OE 395 Optomechanics & Optical Engineering Lab 2R-6L-4C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 292, and OE 280, and OE 295
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Design, assembly, and alignment of bench top optical systems. Introduction to experimental techniques in optics. Data collection and analysis. Relevant lecture topics including principles of opto-mechanical design, fold mirrors and prisms, lens and mirror mounting, kinematic mounts, precision adjustments and control.
OE 415 Optical Engineering Design I 2R-6L-4C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: OE 280 and Junior/Senior standing
Corequisites: ENGL H290 *Prerequisite or concurrent registration

Principles of design. Codes of ethics appropriate to engineers. Case studies related to optical engineering and nanoengineering professional practice, teamwork, contemporary issues, patents and intellectual property. Team-oriented design project work on selected topics in optical engineering and nanoengineering. Introduction to product development practices, product research, planning and project management. Preliminary design of a product and product specifications. Deliver a design document specific to customer needs and constraints. Cross-listed with EP 415.
OE 416 Optical Engineering Design II 2R-6L-4C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: OE 415
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Team-based capstone design project following structured design processes and utilizing knowledge gained from prior coursework. Project planning and budgeting, development of product/process specifications, application of engineering standards, system design and prototyping subject to multiple realistic constraints (cost, schedule, and performance). Formal midterm design review. Deliver initial statement of work and interim technical report. Laboratory activities supporting the formal design process. Cross-listed with EP 416.
OE 417 Optical Engineering Design III 2R-6L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: OE 416
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Continuation of OE 416. System design and prototyping, performance testing, and data analysis. Formal midterm design review. Demonstration of a functional prototype. Deliver oral presentation and final technical report. Cross-listed with EP 417.
OE 434 Non-Imaging Optics 4R-0L-4C S (every other year)
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: OE 295
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Lighting, illumination, and solar concentration systems. Radiometry and photometry for illumination, etendue, and concentration. Color coordinates, color vision, and color measurements. Sources, light transfer components, and systems evaluation. Introduction to design methods (edge-ray, compound parabolic concentrator, tailored reflector). Design examples and case studies.
OE 435 Biomedical Optics 4R-0L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 113, and MA 222
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Optical techniques for biomedical applications and health care; imaging modalities; laser fundamentals, laser interaction with biological cells, organelles and nanostructures; laser diagnostics and therapy, laser surgery; microscopes; optics-based clinical applications; imaging and spectroscopy; biophotonics. Cross-listed with BE 435.
OE 437 Introduction to Image Processing 3R-3L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: MA 222
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Basic techniques of image processing. Discrete and continuous two dimensional transforms such as Fourier and Hotelling. Image enhancement through filtering and histogram modification. Image restoration through inverse filtering. Image segmentation including edge detection and thresholding. Introduction to image encoding. Relevant laboratory experiments.
OE 450 Laser Systems & Applications 3.5R-1.5L-4C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 292, and MA 222
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Ray transfer matrix methods, Gaussian beam propagation, and beam quality. Optical resonators and stability, longitudinal and transverse modes. Stimulated emission, population inversion, rate equations, gain and threshold. Q-switching and mode-locking. Applications and types of lasers. Laser safety and relevant laboratory experiments.
OE 460 Silicon Photonic Devices and Applications 3.5R-1.5L-4C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 292
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Energy bands in semiconductors, minority and majority carriers and n/p-type doping. PN-junction in semiconductors, free-carrier absorption and recombination, forward and reverse bias pn-junction diodes. Thermo-optic effect, Franz-Keldysh effect, and plasma dispersion effect in semiconductors. TE/TM-mode propagation in semiconductor waveguides. Modeling passive and active silicon photonic (SiPh) devices. Examples of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and applications. Fabrication of passive and active SiPh devices and PICs. Laboratory experiments will cover performance characterization of passive and active SiPh devices and PIC systems.
OE 470 Special Topics in Optical Engineering 2-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Lectures on special topics in optics.
OE 480 Optical System Design 4R-0L-4C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: OE 280
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Review of geometrical optics and exact ray tracing. Chromatic and monochromatic aberrations. Image quality assessment, spot size, point spread function, Strehl ratio, and modulation transfer function. Classical lens design and design of various imaging, non-imaging, and diffractive optical systems. First-order layout, computer-based optimization, tolerancing, and manufacturing considerations.
OE 490 Directed Research 1-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Research for junior and senior students under the direction of a physics and optical engineering faculty member. May earn a maximum of 8 credits between PH/OE 290 and PH/OE 490 for meeting graduation requirements. Maximum of 4 credits per term. The student must make arrangements with the faculty member for the research project prior to registering for this course.
OE 493 Fundamentals of Optical Fiber Communications 3.5R-1.5L-4C S (every other year)
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: OE 393
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Analysis and design of common fiber optic communication systems and optical networks. Transmission penalties: dispersion, attenuation. Optical transmitters and receivers: fundamental operation and noise. Intensity and phase modulation. Optical amplification: types of amplifiers, noise and system integration. Point-to-point links: power budget and rise-time analysis. Performance analysis: BER and eye diagrams. WDM concepts and components: multiplexers, filters, common network topologies. Non-linear effects in fibers. Relevant laboratory experiments.
OE 495 Optical Metrology 3.5R-1.5L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: OE 280, and PH 292
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Geometrical test methods (refractometers, knife edge, Ronchi, Wire, Hartmann). Review of interference and coherence. Third-order aberrations, Zernike polynomials, and fringe analysis. Interferometers (Newton, Fizeau, Twyman-Green, and shearing), fringe localization, and phase shifting. Holographic, Moire, photoelastic and speckle interferometry. Applications of optical metrology. Relevant laboratory experiments.
OE 497 Senior Thesis 1-2C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of PHOE faculty
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Literature search, research proposal preparation, and laboratory project work. This sequence is designed to result in a completed senior thesis or initiation of research to be completed in an MSOE degree at Rose-Hulman.
OE 498 Senior Thesis 1-2C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of PHOE faculty
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Literature search, research proposal preparation, and laboratory project work. This sequence is designed to result in a completed senior thesis or initiation of research to be completed in an MSOE degree at Rose-Hulman.
OE 499 Senior Thesis 1-2C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of PHOE faculty
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Literature search, research proposal preparation, and laboratory project work. This sequence is designed to result in a completed senior thesis or initiation of research to be completed in an MSOE degree at Rose-Hulman.
OE 520 Principles of Optics 2R-0L-2C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: Graduate standing
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Introduction to optics for incoming graduate students. Geometric optics; wave optics; sources and detectors. Students progressing towards or holding a bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering may not receive credit for OE 520.
OE 535 Biomedical Optics 4R-0L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 113 and and Senior or Graduate standing
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Optical techniques for biomedical applications and health care; imaging modalities; laser fundamentals, laser interaction with biological cells, organelles and nanostructures; laser diagnostics and therapy, laser surgery; microscopes; optics-based clinical applications; imaging and spectroscopy; biophotonics. Students must do additional project work on a topic selected by the instructor. Students may not receive credit for both OE 435 and OE 535. Cross-listed with BE 535.
OE 537 Advanced Image Processing 3R-3L-4C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: CSSE 120 or ME 123 and Senior or Graduate standing
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Introduction to image segmentation and recognition. Use of neural networks, fuzzy logic and morphological methods for feature extraction. Advanced segmentation, detection, recognition and interpretation. Relevant laboratory experiments and required project. Cross-listed with ECE 582.
OE 570 Special Topics in Optics 2 or 4C F,W,S
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and Senior or Graduate standing
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Lectures on contemporary topics in optical science, optical engineering, and photonics.
OE 580 Optical System Design 4R-0L-4C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: OE 280 and and Senior or Graduate standing
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Review of geometrical optics and exact ray tracing. Chromatic and monochromatic aberrations. Image quality assessment, spot size, point spread function, Strehl ratio, and modulation transfer function. Classical lens design and design of various imaging, non-imaging, and diffractive optical systems. First-order layout, computer-based optimization, tolerancing, and manufacturing considerations. Students must do additional project work on a topic selected by the instructor. Students may not receive credit for both OE 480 and OE 580.
OE 584 Medical Imaging Systems 4R-0L-4C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: OE 392* or ECE 300 * with a grade of B or better or Graduate standing or consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Engineering principles of major imaging techniques/modalities for biomedical applications and health care including diagnostic x-ray, computed tomography, nuclear techniques, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. Topics include general characteristics of medical images; physical principles, signal processing to generate an image, and instrumentation of imaging modalities. Clinical applications of these technologies are also discussed. Cross-listed with ECE 584 and BE 541.
OE 585 Electro-Optics and Applications 3.5R-1.5L-4C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 292, and PH 316 and Senior or Graduate standing
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Optical wave propagation in anisotropic media. Normal surface and the index ellipsoid. Double refraction. Optical activity and Faraday rotation. Pockels and Kerr effects. Electrooptic modulators. Acousto-optic effect. Modulators and scanners. Introduction to nonlinear optics. Second-harmonic generation and frequency doubling. Relevant laboratory experiments.
OE 592 Fourier Optics & Applications 3.5R-1.5L-4C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: OE 392 and Senior or Graduate standing
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Two-dimensional linear systems. Scalar diffraction theory, Fresnel & Fraunhofer diffraction. Coherent optical systems analysis. Frequency analysis of optical imaging systems. Spatial filtering and analog optical information processing. Wavefront reconstruction and holography. Relevant laboratory experiments.
OE 593 Fundamentals of Optical Fiber Communications 3.5R-1.5L-4C S (every other year)
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: OE 393 and Senior or Graduate Standing
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Analysis and design of common fiber optic communication systems and optical networks. Transmission penalties, dispersion, attenuation. Optical transmitters and receivers: fundamental operation and noise. Intensity and phase modulation. Optical amplification: types of amplifiers, noise and system integration. Point-to-point links: power budget and rise-time analysis. Performance analysis: BER and eye diagrams. WDM concepts and components: multiplexers, filters, common network topologies. Non-linear effects in fibers. Relevant laboratory experiments. Students must do additional project work on a topic selected by the instructor. Students may not receive credit for both OE 493 and OE 593.
OE 594 Integrated Silicon Photonics 3.5R-1.5L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: OE 393 and Senior or Graduate standing
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Dispersion properties of silicon waveguides, coupled-mode theory, mode propagation and confinement, effective index of TE and TM modes. Modeling silicon passive devices: directional coupler, Y-branch, Mach-Zehnder interferometer, ring resonators, I/O grating couplers. Modeling silicon active devices: thermo-optic phase-shifters, pn-junction modulators, electro-absorption modulators, and photodetectors. Modeling and simulation of integrated silicon photonics circuits and applications. Laboratory experiments: Fabrication and characterization of a silicon passive device.
OE 595 Optical Metrology 3.5R-1.5L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: OE 280, OE 392 or Senior or Graduate standing or consent of instructor
Corequisites: OE 480

Geometrical test methods (refractometers, knife edge, Ronchi, Wire, Hartmann). Review of interference and coherence. Third-order aberrations, Zernike polynomials, and fringe analysis. Interferometers (Newton, Fizeau, Twyman-Green, and shearing), fringe localization, and phase shifting. Holographic, Moire, photoelastic and speckle interferometry. Applications of optical metrology. Relevant laboratory experiments. Students must do additional project work on a topic selected by the instructor. Students may not receive credit for both OE 495 and OE 595.
OE 599 Thesis Research 1-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

Graduate students only. Credits as arranged; however not more than 12 credits will be applied toward the requirements for the MS (OE) degree.
OE 699 Professional Experience 1R-0L-1C
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.

The professional experiences course captures the practical work experiences related to the student’s academic discipline. Students are required to submit a formal document of their reflections, which communicates how their employment opportunity reinforced and enhanced their academic studies. The work experiences should be informative or integral to the advancement or completion of the student’s program requirements. The course will be graded as “S” satisfactory, or “U” unsatisfactory based on the written report of the professional experience.
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