Organization

Starting from the XXXIX cycle, every PhD student is required to follow courses for a total of 30 CFUs, 6 of which must be for soft and complementary skills. As a general rule, students are recommended to accumulate their 30 CFUs during the first two years. It is mandatory for all students to attend: (1) one module of Imaging and microscopy, (2) Spectroscopy, (3) Light-matter interaction, and (4) Science communication (preferably during the first year), which are all organised by the LENS PhD school. All other CFU can be collected from seminars—1 CFU every 3 seminars—or from courses organised by the LENS PhD school or by other PhD schools at UniFI. Attendance to 1 GEP-seminar is mandatory. 

According to the definition adopted by the University of Florence, one CFU corresponds to 25 hours of total work, including both frontal lectures and individual study. 

By December of the first year, every student shall submit their study plan with the courses chosen for the three years. Each study plan shall undergo the approval of the Teaching Committee, after hearing the student’s Tutor.

At the end of each course, the students shall pass an examination; modalities of the examination will be agreed by the Teaching Committee and by the course teacher(s).

Courses at LENS in 2024-2025

4 Lectures on Advanced Photonic Materials and Devices (2 CFU), A. Chabanov

11, 13, 18, 20 November 2024, 11:00-12:00,  Aula Querzoli

This short course explores recent advancements in understanding and controlling electromagnetic wave propagation in complex systems and environments, encompassing both natural and artificial materials. We will discuss photonic crystals—optical nanostructures, such as three-dimensional stacks of silica spheres or, conversely, holes in solid silica—which significantly alter light propagation compared to free space. Another topic will be magneto-optic materials and devices that break light propagation's time-reversal symmetry. This leads to essential functionalities such as optical isolation and circulation. Finally, we will examine light propagation in disordered media, focusing on light localization. This phenomenon occurs in strongly scattering systems where wave interference and disorder bring light transport to a standstill. A general understanding of wave phenomena, such as optics or acoustics, is recommended but not required

4 Lectures on Scattering Techniques for Soft Matter Studies (2 CFU), M. Plazanet

9, 14, 16, 30 October 2024, 14:30, Aula Querzoli

Scientific writing* (6 CFU)

Microscopy and Imaging (advanced) (3 CFU), R. Cicchi

Light-matter interaction (3 CFU), F. Cappelli

Course topics: light sources, quantum optics, light-atom interaction, light-molecular gas interaction, light-liquid interaction, light-solid interaction, light-biological-sample interaction.

Science communication* (3 CFU), G. Santambrogio and C. Sias

*Course valid for “soft and complementary skills”