PLTT - Photonics and Laser Technology

PLTT 100  Introduction to Photonics and Advanced Manufacturing: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

This course gives an introduction/overview of photonics and manufacturing processes and covers the necessary background material for subsequent courses. The course discusses basic laboratory safety and ethics considerations, communication skills, basic technical mathematics, problem solving skills, and industry relevant software. The course includes visits to/from local companies for industry days that involve demonstrations and hand-on experiences introducing a sampling of the advanced topics introduced in this course.

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  1. Demonstrate conceptual knowledge of optics and photonics concepts, like particle/wave duality and basic properties of light
  2. Experiment with theoretical behavior of light in an optics lab setting
  3. Evaluate optical material data and determine appropriate industry applications given the material’s performance
  4. Analyze photonics industry scenarios and rearrange into a mathematical representation

PLTT 101  Fundamentals of Light and Lasers: 5 Credits (3 Lec, 2 Lab)

(Sp) Majors only. This course is designed to provide the foundation required to prepare technicians in the areas of optics, electro-optics, laser, and photonics. The course is designed for use as the introductory course in the A.A.S. program for Photonics and Laser Technology.

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  1. Understand and explain the wave and particle properties of light and light interactions.
  2. Understand the fundamentals of laboratory safety, and demonstrate these fundamentals in a laboratory environment.
  3. Understand and explain bulk optical materials and their properties including optical coatings, methods of coating deposition, and surface quality of optical components.
  4. Understand and demonstrate mounting of optics, positioning of equipment, inspection methods and procedures, and the care and cleaning of optics.
  5. Describe the important properties of non-laser and laser light sources.
  6. Understand the concepts of laser safety, laser safety standards, and laser safety classifications and demonstrate these concepts and standards in a laboratory environment.
  7. Understand and demonstrate the laws of reflection and refraction, image formation with mirrors, and image formation with lenses.
  8. Understand and demonstrate the interaction of light waves with various objects in interference, diffraction and polarization processes.
  9. Describe the generation of laser light, optical cavities and modes, laser beam characteristics, and different types of lasers.

PLTT 191  Special Topics: 1-3 Credits (1-3 Lec)

his 14-week course gives an introduction/overview of photonics and manufacturing processes and covers the necessary background material for subsequent courses. The course discusses basic laboratory safety and ethics considerations, communication skills, basic technical mathematics, problem solving skills, and industry relevant software. The course includes several visits to/from local companies for industry days that involve demonstrations and hand-on experiences introducing a sampling of the advanced topics introduced in this course.

PLTT 201  Laser Systems and Applications I: 5 Credits (3 Lec, 2 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: PLTT 101. This course introduces the operation principles and characteristics of several different laser types and their practical applications. Lasers are a major subcategory of Photonics, therefore this is a required course for students enrolled in Gallatin College's A.A.S in Photonics and Laser Technology

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  1. Understand thoroughly the generation of laser light, optical cavities and modes, and laser beam characteristics
  2. Understand, explain, and demonstrate laser Q-Switching, mode locking, and frequency conversion in nonlinear materials
  3. Describe all primary laser output characteristics and demonstrate proficiency with the equipment and techniques used to perform high quality laser characterization
  4. Understand and explain the different laser types and their applications
  5. Understand and explain the fundamentals of diode lasers and their applications
  6. Understand and explain the fundamentals of Nd:YAG lasers and their applications
  7. Demonstrate basic knowledge of several other widely used laser sources that will be investigated in PLTT 202: Laser Systems and Applications II

PLTT 202  Laser Systems and Applications II: 5 Credits (3 Lec, 2 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: PLTT 101 and PLTT 201. (Sp) The intent of this class is to build upon the concepts learned in PLTT201 and PLTT101 while deepening students' understanding of how to characterize laser sources and photonic detectors using more advanced metrology and measurement techniques of optical components and systems
Repeatable up to 5 credits.

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  1. Understand and explain the fundamentals of fibers and their uses in fiber lasers, communications, and other photonics based devices.
  2. Understand and explain the concept of operation of several widely used laser sources and photonics devices including but not limited to fiber lasers, hyperspectral imagers, waveguide based devices, optical amplifiers, and 3D laser scanners.
  3. Understand and demonstrate the applications of widely used laser sources and photonics devices, including but not limited to optical remote sensing, lidar, 3D imaging, range finding, communications, laser ablation, laser based cutting and a variety of other industrial, medical, communication, quality control, construction, and military laser applications.
  4. Demonstrate proper data collection and data processing techniques for a variety of test and measurement equipment.
  5. Understand and explain the proper systems integration techniques and manufacturing processes/procedures for lasers and other complex photonics based devices.

PLTT 298  Internship/Cooperative Education or Final Project: 3 Credits (3 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: PLTT 101, PLTT 201, ETEC 101, ETEC 106, ETEC 250. (Sp) This course gives the student a minimum of 150 hours of guided/mentored experience in a local professional or cooperative education setting. It provides monitored experience working with photonics devices, test and measurement equipment, processes and other industry partners. The student may fulfill course obligations through one of two avenues. Through industry employment, the students may obtain work-hour requirements while gaining requisite training. If this option is selected, the student must submit to industry mentor feedback to Gallatin College instructors and must also complete an end of course report as defined by the student's instructor. Alternately, the student may elect to do a final project outside of any employment obligation. In this scenario, an industry or academic mentor will be identified to work with the student on defining and implementing a final project utilizing industry relevant equipment. Here too, an end of course report as defined by the student's instructor will be required to satisfy course requirements
Repeatable up to 5 credits.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Apply knowledge and skills learned in labs and lectures to a professional or cooperative education setting
  2. Articulate how their coursework is crossing over into a professional or cooperative education setting
  3. Create a time management strategy to meet deadlines and work in a fast paced environment
  4. Develop professional connections to industry leaders
  5. Evaluate themselves in a professional or cooperative education environment as an individual and a team member
  6. Demonstrate the ability to contribute positively to a professional or cooperative education opportunity