At the end of the Course the students are expected to demonstrate the following main points of knowledge: - understanding of the theory, and the experimental evidence in support, which underpin the mathematical models of the main optical and microwave devices; - understanding of the main methodologies to analyze the behavior of the most common optical and microwave components used in communication systems and in other application domains; and the following skills: - identification of the strengths and weaknesses of commercial devices; - ability to propose different approaches to design new components; - ability to present, in both oral and written forms, a clear and well-structured set of relevant considerations on design assumptions and results; - ability to read, understand and comment technical material about optical and microwave devices from books, manuals, data-sheets, and any other source.

Key notions typically learned in basic courses on applied electromagnetism, such as transmission line theory, modes and principle of operation of metallic waveguides, propagation in uniform media.

• Discrete optical devices (1.5 CFU) - Reflection and refraction of plane waves and multi-layered dielectric structures. - Application to the design of anti-reflection coating, beam splitters, interferential filters, waveplates, isolators and circulators, etc. • Dielectric waveguides (1.5 CFU) - Analysis of dielectric waveguides. - Modes of optical fibers. - Examples of devices: couplers, power splitters, fibre Bragg gratings, etc. • Microwave devices (3 CFU) - Models for the characterization of microwave devices. - Introduction to printed circuit technologies. - Microwave components: filters, power dividers, circulators, directional couplers. - Radiation basics and elementary antennas.

The Course includes lectures on the theory, solution of exercises and experimental demonstrations. As the main goal is to provide the background and methods to understand how to design new components and critically analyze the performance of existing commercial devices, the theoretical derivations are aimed at studying real devices. As for the specific of the exercises, they are integrated in the lectures and deal with the design of simple devices covering subject matter described in the preceding lessons. Moreover, exercises are assigned almost weekly, to be held mainly at home (homework). Their aim is to help students to deal with the different subject matters immediately after their explanation, to have the possibility of asking clarifications without waiting for the end of the course. After their handing in, assigned exrecises are solved during the exercise classes. With the aim to provide students the capability to design and critically analyzed the behavior of the most common microwave devices present in an electronic system, exercises are assigned almost weekly, to be held mainly at home (homework). After their handing in, they are solved during the exercise classes. Experimental demonstrations are carried out by the instructor or by small groups of students, depending on the availability and the complexity of use of the specific equipment required.

• Instructors' handouts. • To probe further it may be also useful to consult: o K. Iizuka, “Elements of Photonics” vol. I + II, Wiley. o R.G. Hunsperger, “Integrated optics: theory and technology”, Springer-Verlag. o W. Snyder, J.D. Love, “Optical waveguide theory”, Chapman and Hall. o B.E.A. Saleh, M.C. Teich, “Fundamentals of Photonics”, Wiley. o D. Pozar, "Microwave engineering", Wiley.

Exam: Compulsory oral exam;

The main aim of the exam is to verify the learning level of the course topics, i.e. the capability to design the devices that are commonly present in communication systems and to perform their critical analysis. The exam consists in an oral test organized as in the following. - A first part with simple questions to ascertain the understanding of the subjects presented during the Course. - A second part during which students are asked to solve a problem similar to those solved during exercise classes or proposed in the assignments. Students can only have with them what is necessary to write and a calculator. No books, solved exercises or notes are allowed. The useful formulas will be directly provided. The maximum achievable grade of the oral exam is 27/30. If it is at least equal to 18/30, it is possible to improve the final grade up to 30/30 cum laude with the following activities, that are not mutually exclusive. - the submission of the assigned exercises (homework): a maximum of 4 points can be gained; - extra questions on the more theoretical aspects of the topics debated during the course: they could either increase or decrease the final grade.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.

Exam: Compulsory oral exam;

The main aim of the exam is to verify the learning level of the course topics, i.e. the capability to design the devices that are commonly present in communication systems and to perform their critical analysis. The exam consists in an oral test organized as in the following. - A first part with simple questions to ascertain the understanding of the subjects presented during the Course. - A second part during which students are asked to solve a problem similar to those solved during exercise classes or proposed in the assignments. Students can only have with them what is necessary to write and a calculator. No books, solved exercises or notes are allowed. The useful formulas will be directly provided. The maximum achievable grade of the oral exam is 27/30. If it is at least equal to 18/30, it is possible to improve the final grade up to 30/30 cum laude with the following activities, that are not mutually exclusive. - the submission of the assigned exercises (homework): a maximum of 4 points can be gained; - extra questions on the more theoretical aspects of the topics debated during the course: they could either increase or decrease the final grade.

Exam: Compulsory oral exam;

The main aim of the exam is to verify the learning level of the course topics, i.e. the capability to design the devices that are commonly present in communication systems and to perform their critical analysis. The exam consists in an oral test organized as in the following. - A first part with simple questions to ascertain the understanding of the subjects presented during the Course. - A second part during which students are asked to solve a problem similar to those solved during exercise classes or proposed in the assignments. Students can only have with them what is necessary to write and a calculator. No books, solved exercises or notes are allowed. The useful formulas will be directly provided. The maximum achievable grade of the oral exam is 27/30. If it is at least equal to 18/30, it is possible to improve the final grade up to 30/30 cum laude with the following activities, that are not mutually exclusive. - the submission of the assigned exercises (homework): a maximum of 4 points can be gained; - extra questions on the more theoretical aspects of the topics debated during the course: they could either increase or decrease the final grade.