Welcome to PHYS 730
M 13:10-15:55 TH434
Spring 2014
Instructor: Dr. Weining Man
Email: Weining(AT)sfsu.edu
Office: TH 316
Phone: 415-338-2731
Office Hours: F 11-1, also available by appointment (see me after lectures)
This 2-unit seminar course introduces the physical principles and cutting-edge research on
photonics and nano-scale optical materials.
Course objective:
To gain knowledge of physical principles of photonics, and nano-materials.
To study the most recent cutting edge research results on photonics and related nano materials.
To learn how to search, read and organize scientific papers on related fields.
To improve the ability to find interesting research projects and generate new ideas.
To improve the ability to communicate knowledge in scientific writing, oral presentation and group
discussions.
Course content:
1. Major text Book: Photonic crystals: molding the flow of light By John D. Joannopoulos, Steven
G. Johnson, Joshua N. Winn, Robert D. Meade second edition (Princeton Univ. Press, 2008).
2. Recent journal papers on related topics.
Schedule:
Date
Classroom meeting
27-Jan
Yes
3-Feb
Yes
10-Feb
Yes
17-Feb
No
24-Feb
No
3-Mar
No
10-Mar
No
17-Mar
No
24-Mar
Spring Break
31-Mar Cesar Chavez Day
7-Apr
No
14-Apr
no
21-Apr
maybe
28-Apr
Yes
5-May
Yes
12-May
Yes
19-May
yes (1:30-4:00)
Online /assignment
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Experiences:
In the first a couple of weeks of the instructor will deliver 3-hour lectures. Later in the semester,
after the instructor gives a 100-minute lecture, in each class one or two students will give a
presentation on recent paper reading, followed by group discussion among the whole class.
Requirements:
Completing reading assignments before each lecture. (1-3 chapters of text books or 1-3 scientific
papers per week)
Attending all lecture and seminar discussion is required.
Each student should at least give a half-hour presentations on recent assigned reading and write a
scientific review report.
Evaluation:
The final grade will be based on both in-class presentations and the written report at the end of the
semester.
Grading rubrics: (total 100%)
Reading assignment reports and active participation in group discussions (30%)
The in-class presentation: (35%)
Effective presentation slides 10%
Relatively deep understanding of the presented topics 15
Clear oral presentation 5%
Good question handling and discussion 5%
The final written report: (Never copy existing articles) (35%)
Correct scientific writing format 5%
Relatively comprehensive content 15%
Abundant own insights and expression 10%
Appropriate use of references 5%
* Students with medical conditions or leaning disabilities who need reasonable accommodations are
encouraged to contact me for necessary arrangements. The DPRC is available to facilitate the
process (dprc@sfsu.edu)