B.Tech in Photonics – Semester-wise Syllabus 

 

Year 1: Foundation in Science & Engineering 

*Semester 1:* 

1. *Mathematics-I*: Calculus, Linear Algebra 

2. *Engineering Physics*: Optics, Waves, Electromagnetism 

3. *Basic Electronics*: Semiconductor Devices, Circuits 

4. *Programming Fundamentals*: Python/ MATLAB 

5. *Engineering Chemistry*: Materials for Photonics (Glass, Crystals) 

6. *Lab*: Basic Optics Experiments, Python Programming 

 

*Semester 2:* 

1. *Mathematics-II*: Differential Equations, Complex Analysis 

2. *Digital Electronics*: Logic Gates, Microcontrollers 

3. *Materials Science*: Dielectrics, Semiconductors, Polymers 

4. *Engineering Mechanics* 

5. *Environmental Science* 

6. *Lab*: Interference/Diffraction Experiments, CAD for Optical Design 

 

Year 2: Core Photonics & Optics

*Semester 3:* 

1. *Geometrical Optics*: Lenses, Mirrors, Ray Tracing 

2. *Wave Optics*: Interference, Diffraction, Polarization 

3. *Electromagnetic Theory*: Maxwell’s Equations, Wave Propagation 

4. *Optoelectronics*: LEDs, Photodiodes, Solar Cells 

5. *Signals & Systems* 

6. *Lab*: Optical Fiber Basics, Laser Alignment 

 

*Semester 4:* 

1. *Laser Physics*: Types (Gas, Solid-State, Semiconductor), Pumping Mechanisms 

2. *Fiber Optics*: Modes, Attenuation, Dispersion 

3. *Photonics Materials*: Nonlinear Crystals, Photonic Crystals 

4. *Digital Signal Processing*: Basics for Optical Communication 

5. *Elective-I*: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 

6. *Lab*: Fiber Splicing, Laser Characterization 

 

Year 3: Advanced Photonics & Applications 

*Semester 5:* 

1. *Optical Communication*: WDM, DWDM, Optical Amplifiers (EDFA, Raman) 

2. *Nonlinear Optics*: Second Harmonic Generation, Solitons 

3. *Photonics Instrumentation*: Spectrometers, Interferometers 

4. *Elective-II*: Biophotonics / Medical Imaging 

5. *Elective-III*: Nanophotonics / Plasmonics 

6. *Lab*: Optical Communication Setup, Nonlinear Effects (e.g., SHG) 

 

*Semester 6:* 

1. *Integrated Photonics*: Waveguides, Silicon Photonics, PICs (Photonic Integrated Circuits) 

2. *Quantum Photonics*: Single-Photon Sources, Quantum Cryptography 

3. *Sensors & Imaging*: LIDAR, OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) 

4. *Elective-IV*: Optoelectronic Devices / Display Technologies 

5. *Elective-V*: AI in Photonics / Computational Optics 

6. *Lab*: PIC Simulation (Lumerical/Luceda), Sensor Design 

 

Year 4: Specialization & Industry Integration

*Semester 7:* 

1. *Advanced Topics*: Metamaterials, Topological Photonics 

2. *Photonics in Industry*: Telecom, Defense, Healthcare Applications 

3. *Elective-VI*: Photonics for Renewable Energy / AR/VR Systems 

4. *Elective-VII*: Terahertz Photonics / Ultrafast Optics 

5. *Capstone Project-I*: Industry/Research Problem (e.g., Optical Sensor for IoT, Quantum Key Distribution) 

6. *Internship*: Photonics Firms (Thorlabs, Hamamatsu), R&D Labs (DRDO, ISRO) 

 

*Semester 8:* 

1. *Emerging Trends*: Neuromorphic Photonics, Photonic Quantum Computing 

2. *Ethics & Standards*: Safety in Laser Systems, Intellectual Property 

3. *Entrepreneurship*: Startups in Photonics, Funding Opportunities 

4. *Capstone Project-II*: Prototype Development (e.g., LiDAR for Autonomous Vehicles) 

5. *Seminar/Technical Paper Presentation* 

 

Electives (Sample Options): 

- *Biophotonics*: Fluorescence Microscopy, Optical Biosensors 

- *Quantum Optics*: Entanglement, Quantum Communication 

- *Optical Networking*: SDN, 5G/6G Integration 

- *Laser Manufacturing*: Additive Manufacturing, Laser Cutting 

- *Space Photonics*: Satellite Communication, Remote Sensing 

Key Labs & Tools:

- *Optical Labs*: Laser Diodes, Optical Spectrum Analyzers, Interferometers 

- *Simulation Software*: Zemax (Optical Design), Lumerical (Photonics Simulation), COMSOL 

- *Fabrication Tools*: Cleanroom Facilities for PICs, Fiber Bragg Grating Writing 

- *Quantum Labs*: Single-Photon Detectors, Quantum Key Distribution Kits 

 

Capstone Projects: 

- *LiDAR System*: Design for autonomous vehicle navigation. 

- *Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)*: Medical imaging prototype. 

- *Quantum Cryptography Setup*: Secure communication using entangled photons. 

- *Smart Optical Sensor Network*: For environmental monitoring (air/water quality).