Short Courses
Title: Basics of Optical Communications
Modern high-capacity telecommunication networks based on optical fiber technology have become an integral and indispensable part of society. The importance of these networks requires careful engineering in all technological aspects ranging from system design and installation to network operation and maintenance. To attain an understanding of the fundamental principles, this course covers the functions and operational characteristics of available optical fibers, transceivers, and specialized passive and active components needed for designing modern optical fiber communication links. It explains distortion effects on lightwave signals, defines bit error rate and receiver sensitivity, and identifies procedures used to verify operating characteristics. The course also defines wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) concepts, components, applications, and link design examples.
Title: Fundamentals of Biophotonics
Biophotonics deals with the interaction between light and biological matter. Basically it is the science of generating, detecting, and controlling light to image, analyze, and manipulate biological materials. Biophotonics techniques are used in a number of disciplines: in biology to investigate molecular interactions, in medical research to study diseases in tissue and blood, in medical clinics to noninvasively diagnose and treat diseases, in dentistry to treat caries and gum diseases, and in the smart medical home to monitor vital signs of patients. This short course describes applications of photonics techniques to biology and medicine. Topics include the following:
- Interaction of light with biological cells and tissues
- Biophotonics technologies, such as microscopy, spectroscopy, and tomography
- Instruments: fiber-optic probes, biosensors, optical tweezers, medical lasers
- Biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, low-level light therapy, monitoring patient vital signs, endoscopy, and light-based cosmetics
Biography: Dr. Gerd Keiser has extensive experience in studying photonic technology, such as component development, telecom optical transmission systems, fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks, and intelligent building networks. During the past five years he was involved with biophotonics research and teaching. He has written four books related to photonic devices and communication networks. In addition, he teaches tutorial courses at various international conferences. Currently he is a Principal Consultant and Educator at PhotonicsComm Solutions in the USA. Earlier he was involved with telecom network designs, was a consultant for the telecom industry, was an adjunct professor of electrical engineering at Boston University, and was a National Science Council Chair Professor at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. He is an IEEE Fellow, a SPIE Fellow, a member of OSA, and an Associate Editor of Optical Fiber Technology.