640-381 Principles and Applications of Sensors

Physics 640-141 plus 640-142 or 640-121 plus 640-122 or equivalent

Electrical engineering 431-330 or physics 640-251 or equivalent

This subject integrates the principles of physics and electrical engineering so that upon completion of the subject students will understand the fundamentals of the operation of sensors and transducers for the measurement of temperature, pressure, light, stress, composition, fatigue and the chemical environment. Students will be able to design a solution to a particular sensing problem based on their knowledge of the physical principles underpinning the operation of each type of sensor.

Fundamentals to be covered include the basic principles of the quantum theory of atoms, molecules and solids and the application of these principles to a wide range of materials which are of key importance in modern electronics and sensor technology.

Using these fundamental ideas, the topics to be covered include introduction to various types of sensors and the basic physical phenomena underpinning their operation; chemical sensors; pressure sensors; temperature sensors (remote and contact); light sensors (including photodiodes, photomultipliers, CCD cameras, and optical fibre sensors); examples and applications; signal processing for sensor; and sources of error and limitations.

A 3-hour examination; tutorial assignments; project and laboratory work involving the design and implementation of the solution to a particular sensing problem. Students will be advised of the relative weighting of each component at the beginning of the subject.