Effective course design that is focused on system-level applications can effectively enhance student motivation and inquiry-based learning. Deliberate curriculum integration of topical linkages and recurring thematic examples demonstrate course-to-course disciplinary linkages and reinforce foundational concepts. The goal of effective course design is to motivate student interest and learning throughout the course and develop inquiry-based techniques. Curriculum integration includes longitudinal integration of recurring thematic examples that provide opportunities for students to revisit familiar examples with new tools and look at these examples from a different perspective. Integrating these techniques motivates student interest and reinforces foundational concepts through repetition.

Within the National Commission for Training in Optics & Photonics (CNOP), the state of play in education for optics has been compiled at national level from primary & secondary level to University and technological training levels. Partners from CNOP propose to:

- Present the www.optra.net Website webmastered by Opticsvalley, on which a list of optics training in Europe is available

- Zoom in on Professional diplomas such as CQPM "optician de précision", CQPM "monteur de précision"

- Present the existing baccalaureat (French A Level) concerning Optics

- ...

Since ETOP 2001, the Global Photonics Education Network (GPEN) has slowly formed and built momentum. With its growing number of members, its list-serv email address and a new webpage, the GPEN is gathering the critical mass needed to become a useful tool for photonics educators worldwide. This paper will recap the evolution of the GPEN so far, present its current state (including the webpage), emphasize the role of "clusters" for its health and suggest the next steps to take to firmly establish it as an essential part of the photonics education and training community.

Characteristics of the education in optics in Romania in the last 15 years are discussed in a comparative way from a traditional system to the new ever changing proposals. The discussion concerns the situation in the previous time and recently, comments and problems to be solved. There is a recession all around the world as concerns the choice for a career in science and this is what we have to think about and try to find, what to do?

This is not new that Romania continues to offer qualified work force for other countries, as the best students leave for western or US universities. In the former time physics and electronics were the faculties, which attracted the option of the best students, as the career in science and high level education was of high prestige. The things are different now, when there are other more attractive careers as business, show biz, media etc.

It means to do: on the one hand, a comparative study between teaching in the beginning of XX th century and now, on the other hand a comparative study between teaching with a problem and teaching with the predictions (teaching of physical generally and optic particularly).

The first study will be done from a text righted in 1920 witch the author put the accent about what can the school offer to the pupils and what the pupils expect from the school.

Education reforms are being implemented in many countries. The type and extent of the reforms vary significantly but share the increased significance given to Science Education that is becoming a major constituent of school curriculum. As well Technology Education is gaining more importance. Among the different fields of Science and Technology, Optics and Photonics have a major ever-increasing importance. In direct relation to development and economical growth questions, but also in our every day life. It is fundamental today to raise the importance of Optics in school syllabus and generalize it throughout all school levels.

Optics as a teaching tool is investigated within this paper, with special emphasis on the proposed use of a Maximum Impact Flow (MIF) in order to stimulate student’s interests. MIF introduces a template in terms of individual steps and linked functionality. MIF is shown to fuse separate learning tools together into a cohesive unit. Prioritisation and teaching structures are also discussed with the promotion of technology identified as a

It has been 5 years since the first of an organized effort to bring more undergraduate photonics education and training to Ontario schools has started. Before 2000, there were no photonics certificates, diplomas, or degrees other M.Sc. and Ph.D. available in the province. Now one can study to obtain optical fibre certificates and photonics technician/technologists diplomas at colleges, undergraduate degrees in photonics at colleges and universities, and continuing education certificates and diplomas in photonics. This talk gives an overview of the sea of changes in the field of photonics education and training that has shaped Ontario over the past half-decade.

The use of lasers continues to grow in education, prompting widespread and well-founded concerns about the risks involved, and how they may best be used in a manner that is both safe and effective for instruction. Two methods are supported for first-line prevention of laser hazards in educational environments that would reduce injuries and risks both to the educational institution and student, but also for employers and workers when students become employed. The first intervention includes proper awareness of hazards, including biological effects of lasers and other non-ionizing radiation. Discussion regarding appropriate methods and content for varying age-levels is presented with an emphasis on technician education. The Scientific and Technological Education in Photonics (STEP) project funded by the National Science Foundation provides quantitative evidence that students can and do learn the source for hazards and how to avoid them. Second, standard protocols such as the ANSI Z-136.5 Standard for Laser Safety in Educational Institutions are provided and discussed in this paper. Laser safety concise protocols for student behavior and practice can be implemented with a great deal of success to reduce hazards and risks in the educational environment.

Education in optics has evolved in the last decade into an application and enabling technology field and it is emerging as an engineering field in the last couple of years. Therefore, as a newly evolving program, the emphasis is placed on the overall learning outcomes of the students. In that regard we have developed concept inventory questions in optical engineering to monitor and assess improvements in student learning. The concept inventory questions are given to students twice during a course, one at first day of class and the same questionnaire is given to them during the last day of class. The pre-class test is used to assess prior knowledge of the students and the second test is used to measure the learning experience of the students. The results of the test are used to monitor and improve overall education experience of the students.

Writing-to-learn principles and peer-learning were integrated into a third-year physical optics course for undergraduate students. By writing about the life and research of optics faculty, student benefits extended beyond the course material. Peer tutors recruited from the class helped enhanced the overall writing quality. Students published their papers on the open-access web.

"Specialized Physics Experiments" is a significant laboratory-experimental course for Bachelor Degree in the Applied Physics discipline. In this paper, the introduction of advanced research in volume holographic storage to an integrated experiment of the course is presented. The results show that by introducing sophisticated experiment, which contains contemporary optics, mechanics, electronics, and computing, to the course experiments, the knowledge and technical abilities of undergraduate students can be effectively extended. This presents a model of combining scientific research projects with undergraduate teaching.

Asia is becoming one of the most important regions in the world from the political, economic and scientific point of view. Germany believes that it is becoming increasingly necessary to cooperate with certain Asian countries especially for scientific and technological reasons. Above and beyond exchanges of scientists, the scientific and technological cooperation will be organized to cover projects with specific targets and to find solutions to important problems.

International economic development is characterized by a mixture of competition and cooperation within the context of growing globalization. Germany, being one of the world's largest exporting nation, must therefore combine its active role in cooperation with these countries in the fields of education, research and innovation with economic cooperation. The Laser Centre Hanover pursues the goal of establishing and operating a Chinese German center for training and further education in laser technology and setting up a joint platform for long-term German Chinese cooperation in laser technology. An optimized training infrastructure combined with modern production processes support consequently long-term German businesses in China and secures their market-shares. LZH establishes Laser academies for skilled workers and technical decision makers in Shanghai and Changchun together with local universities and German partners.

Due to the economic growth, Russia records since more than two years, the economic conditions are improving the cooperation between Germany and Russia step-by-step. The main goal of Russian science-politics is to stabilize an efficient scientific-technical potential with better chances in the global competition. The German-Russian scientific and technological cooperation plays an important role in this context. It has considerably increased in the last years in terms of width and depth and virtually includes all areas of science and technology at present. The region around Moscow is regarded as the by far strongest economic region in Russia. The LZH establishes a testing-, education and consulting-center for laser technology, to support Russian SMEs regarding the use of modern laser technology in production. The technology- und innovation transfer process for German laser manufacturers and research institutes in Russia is completed by the establishment of a German-Russian network for optical technologies. Both projects are sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

The student portfolio is an ideal tool to assess competencies. In a portfolio, students must be able to show their progress towards the acquisition of learning outcomes. Students must convince teachers of their learning. The implementation in our case (first year wave optics course) consists in a collection of all the work done during the semester. It contains summaries of text books, resolved problems, laboratory reports, electronic materials from the web, sketches.... It also contains documents with the reflections on his own way of learning: how he studies, what are his weaknesses and strong points.

Historically, spectrometers are presented as: (i) gratings under diffraction chapter, (ii) Michelson's Fourier transform spectrometry under the two beam interferometry and (iii) Fabry-Perot spectrometry under multiple beam interferometry. We present a unified geometrical and mathematical presentation of all the three major, high resolution, spectrometers that facilitate the learning process and the retention of the physics behind spectrometry.

Biomedical engineering is a newly developed interdisciplinary subject developed from the combination of modern life science, medical science and engineering. Laser applications in biophysics and medicine plays one of the leading role in modern biomedical technology. But at the same time traditional photonic courses for biophysics include insufficient materials about biomedical laser applications. The current paper discuss the possibility of traditional courses enhancement by including laser demonstrations and training based on coupling of Technical university educational program and training program of Ekaterinburg Clinical center "Cardiology".

Following aspects related to human colour vision are included in experimental lessons for optometry students of University of Latvia. Characteristics of coloured stimuli (emitting and reflective), determination their coordinates in different colour spaces. Objective characteristics of transmitting of colour stimuli through the optical system of eye together with various types of appliances (lenses, prisms, Fresnel prisms). Psychophysical determination of mono- and polychromatic stimuli perception taking into account physiology of eye, retinal colour photoreceptor topography and spectral sensitivity, spatial and temporal characteristics of retinal receptive fields. Ergonomics of visual perception, influence of illumination and glare effects, testing of colour vision deficiencies.

Simulation of vision pathologies and adverse viewing conditions in laboratory conditions requires optical phantoms with different level of light scattering. Such obstacles are designed as passive or active elements applying several technologies. We used for studies two kinds of solid state smart materials with electrically controllable light scattering - electrooptic PLZT ceramics, polymer dispersed liquid crystals PDLC and obstacles with fixed light scattering - composite of polymer methylmethaacrilat PMM together with grinded glass microparticles. Report analyzes optical characteristics of such obstacles - attenuation, scattering, depolarization of different wavelength light at various scattering levels and changes of visual performance applying obstacles in vision science studies.

Biophotonics, one of the most exciting and rapidly growing areas, offers vast potential for changing traditional approaches to meeting many critical needs in medicine, biology, pharmacy, food, health care and cosmetic industries. Follow the market trends we developed new MSc course Management in Biophotonics and Biotechnologies (MBB) that provide students of technical disciplines with the necessary training, education and problem-solving skills to produce professionals and managers who are better equipped to handle the challenges of modern science and business in biophotonics and biotechnology. A major advantage of the course is that it provides skills not currently available to graduates in other Master programs.

Basic information about Faculty of Biomedical Engineering CTU will be given. This new one faculty is a part of Czech Technical University in Prague since 2005. The 5 - year study (bachelour and magisterian) is oriented on the education of student in bioengineering. One of the goal of the FBME CTU is the education of students in optics, biophotonics, lasers and in applications of optics in biomedicine and biology. The details of training and research activities will be given.

Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute (TVI) has developed a collaboration with the National Science Foundation (NSF) Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology (CBST) headquartered at the University of California, Davis in order to develop a transportable biophotonics curriculum for community colleges. A "Biophotonics Option" has been developed within the well-established Photonics Technology Degree program at TVI, centered on two elective courses ("Introduction to Biophotonics" and "Biophotonics Applications"). In addition, TVI is a part of the "Albuquerque Model" that involves exposure to photonics education from the middle school level through graduate education at the University of New Mexico.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology CBST) is collaborating with the Integrated Studies Honors Program (ISHP) at UC Davis to provide an introductory course to some of the top students in the freshman class. The course, IST 8A (Shedding Light on Life), was offered for the first time in Spring 2004 for the 2003-2004 ISHP class. A second offering was provided in Winter 2005 for the 2004-2005 ISHP class. This course is successfully increasing the educational, research, and training opportunities in the emerging field of biophotonics for high-achieving undergraduates at UC Davis.

Opticsvalley proposes to present its knowledge of biophotonics training, resulting from the association's two-year long study of the biophotonics field in the Paris Region. It is clear that a large number of training centres have adapted their programmes to market needs and have developed programmes associating optics and biology. Opticsvalley proposes to speak on one or both of the following issues:

- the development of optics/biology joint programmes by life-long training centres

- the creation of university programmes with a combination of optics/biology subjects

NEMO is a European "Network of Excellence in Micro-Optics" One of the objectives is to disseminate knowledge on micro-optics. Therefore NEMO plans to inform pupils about the crucial role of micro-optics This will be done through the distribution of an educational kit to their physics/technology teachers. The kit will contain a variety of replicated micro-optical refractive and diffractive components, and a semiconductor laser source. The kit will be supplemented with a booklet with DVD. Possible experiments and experimental setups are proposed, explained and illustrated. On the same DVD some simple optical designs will also be illustrated.

We explore the analogies between a system of coaxial cables with periodicity in the impedance, and a system of dielectric stacks with periodicity in the index of refraction. The latter is a photonic crystal with wave propagation control in the optical range, while the former can be regarded as a "coaxial" photonic crystal for radiofrequency control. We reproduce electrical analogs of widely used thin-film optical devices, such as Bragg reflectors, Fabry-Perot resonators and harmonic transmission filters. Coaxial crystals represent an inexpensive way of teaching multilayer optical coatings. We show also that a simple phasor analysis provides an intuitive technique to describe the transmission properties of optical multilayers.

The Physics and Optical Engineering department at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology offers three degrees at the undergraduate level; physics, optical engineering, and engineering physics. The department recently transitioned a science-based applied optics degree into a B.S (Optical Engineering) degree. With this transition we began the process of seeking accreditation for the optical engineering program through the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). This paper describes several assessment components of the accreditation process which includes a detailed curriculum mapping exercise to meet engineering standards. We discuss the overall outcome based optical engineering education.

We present educational programs on nonlinear optics and laser physics in the ILC MSU. These programs are aimed on both full-t ime students of physics faculty and students of retraining courses. As a part of life-l ong learning we offer different types of programs ranging from short courses to one-y ear long retraining programs. These programs include lecture courses, practical work in the training laboratories, and graduate research work in the scientific labs under a supervision of an expert. Special attention will be paid to new tendencies in the educational activities at the ILC MSU: developing and using multimedia courses, short-range practical courses in adjacent fields, constantly developing university teaching laboratory on laser physics and optics.

Graduate degrees specializing in optics have been offered at the University of Central Florida since 1987, with stand-alone Optics degrees being offered since 1998. In 2002, the Optics Ph.D. core was radically changed to allow students to take the PhD qualifying examination earlier in their studies, while still providing a broad and rigorous grounding in optics. This involved the creation of several new courses. We describe how this new system has worked over the first three years. We also discuss results of a study on how well typical admission criteria such as GRE exam results, grade point average, etc. predict student performance in our program.

In modern world we can perceive that fast changing industry technologies requires increasing educational level and professional skills of employees. Classical education meant to give fundamental knowledge and can't cover edge of science progress and keep this accelerated pace. It's normal situation because there is some time lag between new inventions and their including into educational program. That is why today role of science societies are increasing. Advantages of science societies are especially important in formation new specialists. These advantages are realized in activity of student chapter of international science societies.

Florida Atlantic University is home to what is probably the most concentrated university-based R&D effort in the world in the area of electronic imaging. The university is now beginning major investment in an accompanying academic program aimed at training masters- and doctoral-level students in this important technological area. Electronic imaging technology requires people trained in a wide variety of multi-disciplinary areas, with optics being a major component. This paper presents in detail our current assessment of those aspect of optics most important to students seeking professional development for R&D positions in a rapidly growing industry.

This paper reviews the new Electro-Optics (EO) program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), launched in August 2002 . The Electro-Optics (EO) degree program is designed to train a wide range of students for entry into the rapidly-evolving photonics workforce by offering both 2- year AAS/AS and 4-year BS degree. The more recent developments of the program are also outlined, including the high school outreach and visitation program, the proposed 2+2+2 educational pathway to promote early participation of bright students in photonics-related disciplines, as well as the integration of nanotechnology into the core EO curriculum.

We describe the optical time domain reflectometer for the characterization of single-mode fibers at 1.55 μm that have been realized at École Supérieure d'Optique during students traineeships. Our set-up is an excellent educational tool to familiarize undergraduate students with optical telecommunication technologies as well as detection problems.

This contribution corresponds to a laboratory work for a course in Holography and Optical Image Processing in a master degree. The spatial light modulators allow the display of computer generated holograms in real time. They permit the study of the features of image formation by holograms. We use a spatial light modulator made with a liquid crystal panel and polarization devices to get either amplitude or phase only responses. A convergent difractometer has been built to obtain the impulse response of the Fourier holograms. Different strategies to design the holograms have been proposed and experimental results are given.

The demand for high-speed digital communication such as data, video, and the broadband Internet increases, the required throughput of the modules in communications systems will also increase. In this paper we present an instruction system, which works on the basis of a wavelength division multiplex (WDM) system in the visible spectrum. It is specialised for the academic training at universities to demonstrate the principles of the WDM techniques. It works platform independent in combination with active modules in the training description, short inline videos and interactive diagrams. The system consists of LEDs in different wavelengths using analog and digital signals.

We present two laboratory experiments on optical image processing which show complementary modeling approaches. One experiment is based on an optical correlator, where a physical Fourier plane can be identified, and the other is based on the angular response exhibited by a volume grating (Bragg processing) where no Fourier plane is available. In the correlator the frequency content can be visualized as intensity variations in the Fourier plane, whereas in Bragg processing the angular plane waves decomposition of the object is the intuitive approach. Then we have two different approaches to synthesize the transfer function of the system. The combination of the two experiments in a student's lab helps for a deeper understanding of optical image processing, its linear systems mathematical background, and some aspects of volume holography.

We will describe a simple setup experiment that allows students to create polarization-entangled photons pairs. These photon pairs are in an entangled state first described in the famous 1935 article in Phys.Rev by Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen, often called E.P.R. state. Photons pairs at 810 nm are produced in two nonlinear crystals by spontaneous parametric downconversion of photons at 405 nm emitted by a violet laser diode. The polarization state of the photons pairs is easily tunable with a half-wave plate and a Babinet compensator on the laser diode beam. After having adjusted the polarization-entangled state of the photon pairs, our students can perform a test of Bell’s inequalities. They will find the amazing value for the Bell parameter between 2.3 and 2.6, depending on the quality of the adjustments of the state of polarization. The experiments described can be done in 4 or 5 hours.

What is the importance of creating an entangled photons experiment for our engineering students?

First of all, entanglement concept is clearly one of the most strikingly nonclassical features of quantum theory and it is playing an increasing role in present-day physics. But in this paper, we will emphasise the experimental point of view. We will try to explain why we believe that for our students this lab experiment is a unique opportunity to deal with established concepts and experimental techniques on polarization, non linear effects, phase matching, photon counting avalanche photodiodes, counting statistics, coincidences detectors.

Let us recall that the first convincing experimental violations of Bell’s inequalities were performed by Alain Aspect and Philippe Grangier with pairs of entangled photons at the Institut d’Optique between 1976 and 1982. Twenty five years later, due to recent advances in laser diode technology, new techniques for generation of photon pairs and avalanche photodiodes, this experiment is now part of the experimental lab courses for our students.

Lasers have made the revolution in the modern optical technologies but there is hardly any efforts to take up the basic understanding of laser Physics via laboratory classes at graduate and undergraduate level. In this paper, a simple experiment for studying the life time of the upper laser level under lasing condition, the relaxation oscillations, measurement of threshold current and variation of laser power as a function of current in a laser diode is presented. The experiment utilizes the readily available low cost components, a key chain laser and some of the electronics instrument normally available at any undergraduate laboratory of science and engineering department.

International laser Center of Moscow State University offers teaching setups for undergraduate students and students of retraining courses who apply photonics, lasers, and optical communication methods in different fields. Each teaching task is targeted to make a student carry out a real experiment. Most of laboratory works are intended both for phenomena demonstration and for in-depth study of physical mechanisms. The developers of the laboratory works tried to link them to the concepts from other physics courses: quantum mechanics, electricity and magnetism, solid-state physics. Laboratory experience with lasers and photonics reinforces ideas learned in these courses.

Realising the manifold innovations and research results in the field of optical technologies requires a more intense and target-oriented qualification of the students in the next years. In a model project a qualification network between the university, enterprises and research institutions was established for a new consecutive course of studies "Laser and Optotechnologies" at the University of Applied Sciences Jena. The integration of experts from industry and research as well as the introduction of new education methods enables a more practice and science-oriented qualification, enhancing the qualification level and the students' chances on the job market at the same time.

The Ecole Généraliste d'Ingénieurs de Marseille (France), the Politecnico di Milano (Italy) and the Technische Universität Berlin (Germany) have joined forces within a new academic consortium (EUROPTICS) to set up a highly innovative top-quality European Masters programme in advanced optics for the information society.

The Course all in English aims to provide high-level theoretical and technical competence in the fields of optics, photonics and optoelectronics. Students on the programme have a unique opportunity to study within a truly multicultural environment, by spending time at each participating institution in turn: Marseille; Berlin and Milan. The organization and the pedagogy will be presented.

The p-polarized light beam is incident on the boundary between a right-angle prism and a test material. When the total internal reflection occurs at the boundary, and the p-polarized light has phase variation. It depends on the refractive index of the tested material. Firstly, the two-dimensional distribution of phase variation of the p-polarized light at the boundary is measured by the four-step phase shifting interferometric technique. Then, substituting the data into the special equations derived from Fresnel equations, the two-dimensional distribution of refractive index of the tested material can be obtained.

We present the schematic representations for teaching the procedure of optical amplification in erbium and praseodymium doped fiber amplifiers by using rate equations models. The behaviour of these types of amplifiers is the same as three (for erbium ion) and four (for praseodymium ion) levels atomic systems, respectively. Most of the important characteristics of these amplifiers can be obtained from these simple models and their underlying assumptions. Hence, we can make use of these approaches for teaching the purposes of procedures in fiber amplifiers. For this aim, the gain performances of Er³⁺ and Pr³⁺-doped fiber amplifiers are investigated at the educational level, using the temperature-dependent rate equation model.

Photonics as an enabling technology offers a plethora of perspectives from which to approach workforce development. Hands-on, inquiry-based curriculum and activities have been developed that attract and inspire students from middle school through post-secondary. The curricula are cross-cutting across multiple disciplines, demographics, and ages. Articulation between levels has proven an essential element of success. Learn how industry, government, academia, parents, students, professional societies collaborate to further opportunities for in photonics and microtechnology.

Employers clamour for more "Highly-Qualified Personnel" (HQP) to hire, and photonics is no exception. The challenge facing all new graduates lies in what actually constitutes a Highly-Qualified Person. Yesterday, an HQP was often understood to be a graduate with a Bachelor's, Master's or Ph.D. degree. Today, industry is demanding that an HQP be either a university or college graduate with strong academic standing AND a sound business and communications skill set. In this paper, we introduce the concept of "Value-Added Personnel" (VAP), which marries both scientific and "soft-skills" aspects, and we present a new program in Ontario to produce VAPs.

The science of photonics and optics has emerged to be one of the leading fields of scientific and engineering innovation in the 21st century. One key factor in keeping this wave of innovation and advancement going at full momentum is the effort spent in the training and educating of the next generation of photonics scientists and engineers. More and more students are becoming interested in this field at a younger age, starting at high school or even earlier. This talk explores the role and responsibilities of the industrial photonics and lasers companies in reaching and encouraging this next generation of professionals.

The Department of Optics of the University of Alicante is organizing a one-year (2005-6 period) postgraduate course in colour technology with the collaboration of members of the academic staff of several Spanish universities (University of Granada, Technical University of Catalonia, Technical University of Valencia, University of Valencia, etc) and other national institutions (CSIC's Department of Metrology and Technological Institute of Optics, Colour and Imaging-AIDO). Several multinational companies have also shown their interest in collaborating. We wish this course to mark the beginning of multi-disciplinary and inter-universities national postgraduate studies, with a high degree of professional specialisation, which fulfil the guidelines of the European Higher Education Area (Bologna Process) and other European technological platforms such as Manufuture or EuMaT.

Educational programs in optics and photonics contain superior fundamental and specialized courses, and yet optical standards and standardization aspects are often missing from the curricula. Although international standardization aims at eliminating technical barriers to trade, many graduates learn about industry standards during their first job. This presentation provides an overview of existing standards in optics and photonics and latest developments in the field. It provides information about the international organizations involved and the specialty areas covered by standards. Courses or educational modules covering existing industry standards and international standardization efforts may become a valuable addition to educational programs in optics and photonics.

This program has been designed for graduate students with bachelor's degrees in engineering or science who possess a sufficiently high level of mathematics training. The Purpose of the program is to prepare those students for work in activity sectors linked to optics, photonics and optical communication. Participants receive theoretical and practical scientific training based principally on physics, physics engineering and optical telecommunications. More specifically, the program enables students to acquire thorough knowledge and skills in electromagnetism, laser, fibre optics, photonics, optical communications and opto-mechanical design. This presentation will describe the program structure, general and specific objectives, courses and learning paths.

Virtual laboratories are used to help teaching a course on lasers. The spectral emission of a laser, the Zeeman effect on the laser frequencies, the frequency stabilisation of a laser and the Lamb dip are the subjects chosen to virtually illustrate the properties of a laser. All the laboratories are very close to reality, including possible experimental missteps. The student is under the conditions he can find in the real laboratory and can spend as long as he wishes, at any time. The teacher can track the student via a data base that includes the eventual missteps which the student would have committed.

The concept of teaching in optics and photonics for undergraduate and post-graduate students of laser engineering disciplines are discussed. The designed curriculum include as fundamental knowledge on modern mathematics, physics and computer methods as up-to-date industrial optical engineering software training. Distributed Web-server technology with Alpha cluster station background allow to support real-time training and teaching with a set of computer optical laboratories, which are used as a framework for most university special courses. Remote access to facilities of Russian Academy of Science make it possible to accumulate modern science achievements in optical education.

We present an educational resource based in an optical software package for undergraduate students. It consists in a web based textbook with several applets for illustrating the theory and simplify the teaching tasks in the classroom. These programs are also used as a method for self-learning in an on-line environment. Applets are written in Java language using the Java Network Launching Protocol (JNLP) for avoiding problems related with the use of specific browsers or java interpreter's versions.

We have developed an educational optics learning tool, which allows students to work in parallel with a real hardware system and a matching, realistic looking, virtual model. We have implemented the idea as an educational laser-kit, and we describe the educational ideas behind it and our experience with its use for motivating and inspiring grade school teachers, educate high school students and train college students. The present system is a relatively advanced laser system consisting of a unique combination of a 2-D breadboard with magnetic mounts carrying the optical components and a corresponding, realistic 2-D display, layout and analysis software.

The National Science Foundation-funded project "Hands-On Optics: Making an Impact with 1234,5 is developing six educational modules designed for an informal museum, science center, or other "free-choice" audience for use by students aged 10-17. The project is a joint project of the SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering, the Optical Society of America, and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory. The Project Principal Investigator is Dr. Anthony Johnson, the Director of the Center for Advanced Studies in Photonics Research (CASPR) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The Hands-On Optics program also has designed and sponsored student competitions that immerse students in a problem-solving environment. We describe how two student optics competitions we have designed can be used to motivate student work in optics. In the "Telescope" competition, students build and test a Newtonian-style reflecting telescope. In the "Hit the Target" competition, students reflect light off of mirrors and through an obstacle course in order to see how close they can come to hitting a target.

The use of a visual 3D display and a virtual spectrometer for the teaching of a course in molecular spectroscopy presents new possibilities. All the movements of the molecules are shown along with their relations with their characteristic spectra. The virtual laboratory simulates a true commercial spectrometer as well as a software of recognition. All the students simultaneously follow the laboratory under conditions very close to the reality of a modern industrial laboratory.

We describe an experiment that allows distant users to perform a labwork using Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) in order to understand the basics physics and engineering involved. The EDFA and the measurement instrumentation are specially designed so as to allow for remote control through the web. The purpose of the project can then be distant learning for students from developing countries which cannot afford this kind of high-cost equipment.

A circuit-oriented simulator operating in the spectral domain is presented as a very powerful instrument for advanced analysis of integrated and free-space optical devices. By combining elementary optical building blocks, which can be modelled at different levels of accuracy, complex optical circuits (filters, multiplexers, switches and so on) can be easily generated and their spectral properties fully derived. Computational times are order of magnitude lower than those required by electromagnetic methods.

As the rate of technological change accelerates, continuing education becomes more important than ever. This talk is an account of a successful continuing professional-education course on optical coatings. The course emphasizes understanding and is a mixture of formal lectures and practical computing. Some of the techniques used in the course are described along with some general observations about student capabilities and continuing education in general.

In this paper, we present preliminary results from project PHOTON2, a National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education (ATE) project aimed at increasing the number of high school teachers and college faculty across the US prepared to teach photonics technology at their own institutions. During the Fall 2004 and Spring 2005 semesters, two cohorts (51 high school teachers and college faculty) from 12 states across the US including Hawaii participated in a web-based Introduction to Optics & Photonics course. Qualitative and quantitative research was conducted to examine the relationship between learner interaction, self-regulation, and learning outcomes in a web-based learning environment. Research results and recommendations are presented.

The University of Waterloo, partnered with key industry players, Photonics Research Ontario and the Ontario government, launched Ontario's first diploma-level photonics program to re-skill scientists and engineers. The Education Program for Photonics Professionals (EP3) offers the basics of a university level Optics education. The next step is to provide the courses at distance.

Opticsvalley proposes to present its project of a life-long education platform, with the objective to:

- gather training centres in the optics field

- exchange information on best practice and markets

- promote the life-long optics education offer

- present collective responses to the existing training needs

- foster interactions between training centres and optics industry representatives

Three Rivers Community College (TRCC), with federal funding, provided a customized laser program for Joining Technologies in Connecticut, which offers world-class resources for welding and joining applications. This program addresses the shortage of skilled labor in the laser arena, lack of knowledge of fundamental science of applied light, and an increase in nonperforming product. Hiring and retraining a skilled workforce are important and costly issues facing today's small manufacturing companies.

The schools outreach programme of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southampton has reached over six thousand school children during the last five years. The outreach programme centres on a traveling 'Light Express Roadshow'; a laser light show and photonics lecture provided free to schools throughout the South East of England. This paper explores the technical, educational and funding issues associated with providing a successful outreach activity to inspire and encourage a new generation of physicists.

Many parents or guardians of primary school pupils have little knowledge of science, and many lack confidence in their ability to help their children, though most welcome the chance to do so. We describe our experiences running a series of meetings in the form of coffee sessions at local primary schools, where parents can increase their knowledge and confidence in the science their children study, and engage in simple experiments with their children to apply the knowledge they gain. We discuss how this programme can be instrumental in improving the profile of scientific education and scientific careers for children of a young age.

A course of very elementary optics, that can be given to primary school children as an additional course to the regular compulsory program, is developed. The course contains explanation of the most basic phenomena existing around us, which involve light. As well as considers principles of operation of basic optical elements and more complicated devices (microscopes, telescopes, lasers). All these phenomena and devices are explained in a very simple way and are demonstrated in simple experiments, that makes them understandable to primary school children. This course is intended to help young children to develop a "physical" way of thinking.

Many primary school children perceive science as boring and inaccessible. These misconceptions mould the paths these children will choose for their future education and careers, mirrored in reducing numbers of applicants for physics courses in higher education.We describe our experiences running a photonics outreach project, The Lightwave Roadshow, an interactive collection of photonics demonstrations and experiments aimed at children aged 5 to 11. We discuss how this programme can be instrumental in improving the profile of scientific education and careers forchildren of a young age

Since operational lasers were first demonstrated in 1960, the field of laser/electro-optics has become an indispensable, rapidly expanding component of modern industry. With the emergence of numerous medical and telecommunication applications in the 1980s, including fiber-optics, the field of laser/electro-optics evolved into photonics, a broad field encompassing optoelectronics, micro-optics, lasers, digital imaging, spectroscopy, optical instruments, and optical systems. Today photonics is not only a technology field in and of itself but is also an enabler of nearly every other technology field, including microtechnology, measurement and materials processing, remote sensing, photolithography for semiconductors, nanotechnology, electro-optics displays and imaging, and national defense.

Within a few years after lasers were first made operational in 1960, it became apparent that rapid growth in the applications of this new technology in industry, health care, and other fields would require a new generation of technicians in laser/optics engineering. Technicians are the men and women who work alongside scientists and engineers in bringing their ideas, designs, and processes to fruition. In America, most highly qualified technicians are graduates of associate of applied science (AAS) programs in community and technical colleges (two-year postsecondary institutions). Curricula and educational programs designed to prepare technicians in laser/electro-optics technology (LEOT) emerged in the 1970s; today there are over 15 LEOT programs in the United States producing over 100 LEOT graduates each year.

The successful completion of two-year AAS photonics technician programs requires a working knowledge of certain mathematics skills. This paper identifies those key skills and describes available learning materials - titled Mathematics for Photonics Education - developed as a review and study guide to help students strengthen their mathematics abilities. The learning materials are supported by diagnostic assessments designed to help identify areas of mathematics weakness and thereby indicate corrective procedures. The paper concludes with evidence from the field concerning the use and effectiveness of the diagnostic test and learning materials.

The UNESCO Active Learning in Optics and Photonics project is designed for the benefit of teachers of introductory university physics from developing countries. Initial implementation has taken place in two African nations, Ghana and Tunisia. The training curriculum includes student materials to teach topics in geometrical and physical optics in an active way with a high level of student involvement in the learning process. The curriculum makes use of simple, inexpensive materials. A conceptual learning assessment instrument is being developed as part of the project. Follow-up activities are planned. Experiences of the international group of workshop trainers are reported.

An optics laboratory plays a critical role in optics education. A major challenge for optics educators in Africa is the shortage or non-availability of laboratory teaching equipment. Optics teaching equipment is beyond the budget of most universities in the developing world such as the new National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe.

The paper details a successful strategy - local fabrication/assembling of optics laboratory teaching aids - adopted by the Applied Physics Department at Zimbabwe's National University of Science and Technology. Students and technical staff under the guidance of an academic member of staff do equipment fabrication and assembling.

The paper describes some of the project-type set-ups for performing experiments on (1) laser light scattering and impurity determination; (2) industrial imaging inspection (3) light transmission and reflection and (4) refractive index measurement.

Though Africa is known and in many quarters still referred to as the dark continent, should she still be in that state in this day and time in which we live? Data now travels at the speed of light and information reaches every nook and cranny of the earth, and I ask, can some of this not be directed towards Africa? More attention needs to be focused on educating Africa in the fields of photonics and optics to illuminate her because if mother earth has got to progress, no part of her or her children can and should be left behind.

We report on a successful partnership between the Department of Physics at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) and Telkom, South Africa's national telecommunications company, to train physics students in the important fields related to optical fibre technology. The partnership, which began in 2001 and forms part of Telkom's Centre of Excellence program in South Africa, is currently being extended to other countries in Africa. The training being conducted in the Physics Department has as one of its main goals an increased understanding of polarisation mode dispersion (PMD), an effect that will ultimately limit the transmission speeds through optical fibre.

Within the framework of its scientific activities, the Optical Society of Tunisia organized the first photographic workshop called Ibn Al-Haytham session. This activity enabled, through conferences, the evocation of the research done by one of the most distinguished and prolific mathematicians in the medieval tradition of Arabic Islamic science. The camera obscura that he thoroughly studied was the theme of a training where more than twenty participants build and used this basic camera. The adopted training approach based on active teaching and learning made possible the achievements of interesting results in spite of the heterogeneity of the group of trainees.

The paper reports the development of an inexpensive laser diode pointer of wavelength λ=630-680 nm based Michelson interferometer technique for the measurement of optical parameters such as wavelength of the source, thickness of a thin sheets of glass, mica etc. in the Optics Laboratory of the Department of Physics Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The He-Ne laser source (λ=632.8 nm) in the Michelson interferometer experiment is replaced by small size battery operated LDP of small beam of diameter = 3mm with simple modification in the optics system to measure the aforesaid optical parameters.

The ecological systems of Africa are facing tremendous pressure due to development.

Planned and deliberate development efforts usually pay great dividends because the environment is usually taken into consideration during the planning, construction, and implementation phases of such development.

The operationalization of sustainable development concepts provide a mechanism for safeguarding against the negative ramification of extraction of natural resources and the placement of structures (urbanization) in the natural environment. In this paper, the author discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of sustainable development in Africa. The author uses a case study in Kakum, Ghana to illustrate how the theory of sustainable development is operationalized in order sustain communities, protect the natural environment from the disasters of development and to sustain the economy and culture of a society.

Hands-On Optics (HOO) is a collaborative four-year National Science Foundation fundedprogram (Principal Investigator A. Johnson) designed to create a sustainable science education program to excite students about science by actively engaging them in optics activities. It will reach underrepresented middle school students in after-school programs and at hands-on science centers across the United States. The project creates and distributes educational modules and provides professional development for educators and optics resource volunteers.

More than 60 demonstrations and basic experiments in Optics have been compiled. They can be carried out by secondary and university students in the classroom or at home, and have been conceived considering low cost and easy-to-get materials. The goal is to offer didactic resources, showing that Optics can be taught in an attractive and amusing way. The experiments try to stimulate scientific curiosity, and generate interest in the observation of our physical world. The work could be collected as a book, where each demonstration would be contained in one or two pages, including a title, a list of the required materials and a concise explanation about what to do and observe. Associated with the experimental content, we propose a web page, namely, http://www.ucm.es/info/expoptic, that accepts experiments sent by anyone interested in Optics, which can be used as a forum to interchange information on this educational topic.

The light intensity distribution near focus of an optical system can be modified by pupil-plane masks. In fact, in some relevant fields, such as optical data storage or confocal microscopy, there is an increasing interest in the design of pupil masks for controlling the Point Spread Function (PSF). These techniques present a great advantage for educational purposes, since they deal with current technology but at the same time illustrate basic diffraction principles. In this work, we introduce a simple low-cost set up that allows the dynamical control of the PSF and can be easily implemented in any educational centre.

In this work we propose and demonstrate a very simple method to fabricate interference multilayer birefringent filters. We employ the birefringence properties of common cellophane. Cellophane tape layers can be very easily superimposed with different orientations in order to generate different spectral responses. We experimentally demonstrate this behaviour with the aid of a portable spectrophotometer. This technique represents a simple and inexpensive way of experimentally investigating the optical properties of birefringent filters.

In this work we propose the use of a liquid crystal spatial light modulator (LC-SLM) as a useful tool to teach and experience diffraction and signal processing. The LC-SLM acts as a programmable pixelated diffractive mask. The Fourier spectra of the image displayed in the LC-SLM is visualized through a simple free propagation diffraction experiment. This optical system allows easily testing different diffractive elements and performing several signal processing experiments. As a demonstration we include experimental results with diffraction gratings, computer generated holograms, diffractive lenses and axicons.

In the Society of our days there is a major increasing need of an in depth quality education in Science and Technology. Science teaching at school should be generalized aiming not only the sound establishment of a "Science" culture in our societies but also to guarantee a steady basis for the improvement of Science and its technological applications. The European Commission, under the program Socrates, Comenus 3 action (project n°. 110157-CP-1-2003-1-PT-COMENIUS-C3) supports the network "Hands-on Science". The activities of our network focus on the development and or diffusion at European scale of positive hands-on experimental practices on teaching science at basic secondary and vocational training schools, by leading the students to an active volunteer and committed participation in the teaching/learning process through hands-on practice and experimentation, making intensive use of the new instruments and resources of the Information Society.

Optics has emerged as a major "topic" in modern science and engineering. In fact, optics is playing an ever more important role in the world's economy and in medicine, as well as in military systems. However, in most academic institutions, optics (or any of its more contemporary names, such as photonics, quantum electronics, electro-optics, laser science, etc.) is confined to a course or two within the more "traditional" disciplines of physical science and engineering. In the language of mathematics, optics has not been considered as one of the base vectors (i.e., disciplines) used to define academic institutions. A notable exception is the emergence of the first college at an American University, the College of Optics and Photonics at UCF, devoted to optical science and engineering. The evolution of the academic research center CREOL (initially the Center for Research in Electro-Optics and Lasers) into a center devoted to research and education, to a School of Optics, and now the College of Optics and Photonics, will be reviewed.

I took a circuitous, but planned route from a childhood of building small rockets (pre-Sputnik) in a small rural town, influenced by one keystone book on astronomy, received a BS in mathematics, but not to become "mathematician", just to have it as a tool to do space based research. Add the founding of Breault Research Organization, becoming a regional economic advisor to multiple regions in 29 countries and 18 states, and building 25 Optics Clusters around the world, and you have a synopsis of my life in bullet form. How, is the topic of the presentation?

In 1935, Einstein discovered entanglement, an amazing property of quantum mechanics which contradicted his world views. An intense debate with Niels Bohr followed, and was settled only after the discovery by John Bell of the famous inequalities named after him. Bell's theoretical work stimulated experiments, nowadays accessible to university laboratory classes, which demonstrate that entangled twin photons remain a single global object even when at a distance. We must take this conceptual revolution into account in our quantum description of the world. Applications of entanglement are also on the way, and a new field of research, Quantum Information, uses entanglement to develop applications as quantum cryptography and quantum computing. It may well be that we are living a second quantum revolution, which might change our society as strongly as the first quantum revolution did, when it gave us the laser and the transistor (and integrated circuits) at the root of the information and communication society.

Polarization interferometry is normally not a regular topic in the class room at graduate level. Therefore a polarization heterodyne interferometer similar to a Michelson interferometer using polarizing components is discussed in this paper to demonstrate the interference of two orthogonal polarized beams. The measurement of the phase shift as a result of orientation of polarizer is performed by recording corresponding fringe shift. The theoretical expression is also presented using Jones calculus for the fringe shift as a function of azimuth of the polarizer. The experimental set-up is simple and can be very well incorporated in the teaching laboratory.

We describe an experiment that allows advanced master students in optical science and engineering to understand noise measurements in optical amplifiers (e.g. Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers). Noise and signal are studied then measured in both electrical and optical domains. The degradation of the signal to noise ratio through EDFA's along a real or simulated long-haul optical link can also be studied.

The coherence property of the laser light is an important aspect for the understanding of the optical physics. A modified geometry of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer has been proposed for measurement of the coherence of the laser. The geometry of the mirrors has been arranged in such a way that the reversible shear interferometer and the Michelson interferometer, both the types of the interferometers are set-up in a single geometry. Using this interferometer, the spatial and the temporal coherence of the laser beam can be measured. The interferometer is simple in design and is useful in the computer assisted visual learning of the coherence at the college and university level education and teaching in optics.

This paper presents kits dedicated to optical phenomena education proposed by Idil Fibres Optiques. It shows the teaching means used to guarantee students the best understanding of physical phenomena related to optical fibers. In a second part we present one of these kits : the mode-locked fiber laser. This kit allows in particular to understand the effects of chromatic dispersion, non-linearity and mode-locking during the ultra-short pulse generation in mode-locked fiber lasers with "figure-8" and unidirectional ring cavities.

In this paper we describe the principles and design of a fibre optic communications teaching package and a cost effective extension module to this kit which enables students to investigate the effects of noise, attenuation and dispersion on the bit error rate at the receiver of laser and LED based digital fibre optic communication systems.

The paper describes the digital holography experimental bench we used in our engineering school and the results we can acheived for two kind of measures:

1. displacements on the surface of a little plate which can be deformed by a PZT actuator,

2. amplitude of the vibrations when the PZT is excited by a sinusoidal signal.

This experiment bench have also been used for vibration mode analysis of an electrical motor in collaboration with a research laboratory. It is a very useful experiment to teach techniques using coherent light, and also features of numerical acquisition of images.

The effect of temperature on the population distribution within the manifold of an Er³⁺-ion pumped at 1480 nm pump wavelength is theoretically investigated. A modified rate equation model for determining the signal gain performance of EDFAs is established by including the temperature effect and the gain values versus launched pump powers at the temperature range of -20 to 60 °C are obtained under the signal power regime.

We present a fruitful student's lab experiment allowing for an effective learning of some of the basics in physical optics. We proceed with the characterization of the surface structure of a compact disk (CD) and a digital versatile disk (DVD). This experiment is an effective means to have a direct hands-on experience on diffraction, Young's fringes interference phenomena, and diffraction chromatic dispersion. The fact that both CD and DVD are widespread consumer electronics devices enhances the interest of the student on the experiment.

The spreading of optical full-field technique in the world of mechanics needs a strong educational effort at any level: undergraduate, graduate, or continuing education. On that purpose, practicals are very important. In the context of a "Photomechanics summer school" held by CNRS, a practical based on the fringe projection technique has been developed. Even if the basic principle is very simple, a lot of parameters have to be fixed. The set-up enables students to understand the choices of these parameters in order to obtain the best results and shows a way to characterize the errors.

Let a light beam coming from a diode pass through a polarizer and an electro-optical modulator driven a saw tooth voltage signal, then a slight frequency difference between its two linearly orthogonal polarized components occurs. The light beam enters a modified Michelson interferometer, and the interference signal is sent to an oscilloscope. Because the interference signal is a periodic function of time, it is easier than the conventional one to evaluate the contrast. When the contrast is zero, the associated optical path difference is its coherence length.

Optics Group in the Faculty of Science at Valladolid University collaborates in training secondary schools teachers in several aspects of Optics. This work is the result of a continuous collaboration (since 1998) between our University and Ministry of Education. In our country, long-life education of teachers is led by specific Centers depending on the Ministry: CFIE. Our responsibility in this collaboration has consisted in planning and giving different courses. As we have detected a lack of practical skills in the first level university students, the aim of our collaboration has been to show practical aspects of Optics changing blackboard by laboratory experiences.

In this paper we describe how to join the two fundamental activities of a university professor: research and teaching. The work of our research team is devoted to the applications of two photon polarization spectroscopy to plasmas and combustion processes diagnostics. As a result of this work now we have powerful equipment and experience on nonlinear processes. Therefore, we decided to offer Nonlinear Optics as an elective subject, to the students in the last year of the Physics Degree at Valladolid University. We conclude that research at the University acquires its total significance when it is applied to the student's instruction.

Voltage tunable optical communication modulators using optical filter are now the most important and advanced integrated devices in the field of integrated optics. The modulator with central wavelength 1.33um is studied which works on wide range of wavelength. The tunable wavelength can be achieved by changing voltage across electrodes. the design of voltage tunable optical modulator using asymmetric directional coupler filter modulator with strip of waveguide made up of Titanium in diffused in Lithium Niobate for various fabrication parameters for central wavelength 1.33mm is studied. Matrix method, which is faster, is used for computation of effective index. Based on this method the critical coupling length is investigated. The work focused on studies of the directional coupler filter modulator at wavelength 1.33mm .The response with maximum transfer efficiency. the effectiveness of device by reducing coupling length and device length is studied.

Widespread physics education research has shown that most introductory physics students have difficulty learning essential optics concepts - even in the best of traditional courses, and that well-designed active learning approaches can remedy this problem. This mini-workshop and the associated poster session will provide direct experience with methods for promoting students' active involvement in the learning process in lecture and laboratory. Participants will have hands-on experience with activities from RealTime Physics labs and Interactive Lecture Demonstrations - a learning strategy for large (and small) lectures, including specially designed Optics Magic Tricks. The poster will provide more details on these highly effective curricula.

Cettte étude est consacrée à l'élaboration d'un modéele mathématique simple pour décrire l'action des lasers à absorbants saturables, l'approche envisage ici tient compte d'une manière phénoménologique des processus physiques essentiels qui permet de dégager les principaux paramètres physiques dans les LSA et leurs influences sur la bistabilité optique. Nous allons étudier théoriquement la bistabilité optique dans les lasers à absorbants saturables trimodes dans le cas où les deux milieux actif et absorbant subissent un élargissement homogène.

Nous avons établi un programme permettant de déterminer l'effet de la bistabilité optique, de tracer les courbes qui représentent les densités de photons en fonction du pompage du milieu actif et d'analyser la stabilité linéaire des solutions obtenues.

Maxwell equations for Electro-magnetic(EM) vector fields E and B are solved in vacuum, free from charges and currents, and EM wave packets propagating in z direction are formed using cylindrical coordinates ( s, φ, z ) with an average propagation vector k₀ and a radial parameter γ used for defining Bessel function J_n ( γ s ) of n'th order. It is shown that these wave packets have a group velocity v_g= ck₀ / [k₀²+γ²]^0.5 smaller than the standard velocity c of light in vacuum, and they spread in z direction with progression of time, like particles having non-zero rest mass m₀ = ħ γ / c. It is shown that these slow photons can describe motion of elementary particles like electrons and protons with regard to their velocity and linear momentum . Quantization of energy U of these EM wave packets is done using the condition U = ħ c [k₀² + γ² + σ²]^0.5 and then the angular momentum determined for them, (here σ is the standard deviation in the propagation vector k ). After quantization, the z components of the linear momentum and angular momentum of the wave packets are found to be ħ k₀ and n ħ , respectively. It is shown that for γ much smaller than k₀ these wave packets can appear like light photons , and for γ much larger than k₀ these wave packets can appear like electrons and protons, with regard to their mechanics.