Optics and Photonics

Applications using electric and/or optical properties of materials are vital to our modern society. Semiconductor lasers and optical communication are cornerstones of the internet and solar cells power our houses. Superconductors are used for medical imaging and creating strong magnetic fields and magnetic materials are used for data storage and for creating and and distributing electricity. New applications using combinations of light and materials with special and unique properties are steadily developing.

Optics and Photonics at KTH

In this track, you will receive a broad knowledge about optics and the physics of solid materials in order to be able to specialize in either optics, photonics or solid state physics. You must choose a minimum of 40 ECTS credits of core knowledge courses within the track. Among them, there are two strongly recommended courses for those who have not studied these subjects before, one on light propagation ( Optical physics SK2303 ) and the other on properties of solid materials ( Solid state physics SK2758 ). You can then choose your own direction within the field from a wide range of courses.

Specialised courses are taught by researchers at the Department of Applied Physics, often in close relation to their research topics. These courses give an excellent preparation for the master’s degree project and for future career in industry or academia. For example, some modern topics within the fields are taught in courses on quantum optics ( Quantum photonics, SK2900 ), laser physics ( Laser physics, SK2411 ), semiconductors ( Semiconductor photonics SK2907 ) and advanced properties of materials ( Quantum materials SK2904 ).

Topics covered

Solid state physics, optics, lasers, wave optics, optical devices, superconductivity, magnetism, quantum optics and quantum materials

Career

After completing your master's degree in this track, both academic and industrial routes will be open to you. Students interested in research can contact the different research groups during their studies and often continue to pursue PhD studies in Sweden or other countries. Students interested in the industry often go to research and development in Swedish and international companies. Optics, photonics and electric materials are an enabling technologies for many technology-based companies, and people with relevant competence in the field are in high demand.