Neutron STEM Lab

Photonics Workbench

Calculate photon energy, Gaussian beam propagation, fiber modes and link budgets, photodetector response, attenuation, optical cavities, and pulsed-laser quantities.

Photonics: labelled diagrams and key equations for photons, lasers, fiber optics, and photodetectors.
Browser-local interactive workspace
Interactive workspace initializes in your browser. Engineering method, assumptions, validation, and references are available below.

Engineering reference

Photonics: theory, method, and sources

This optics & photonics workspace publishes 5 governing equations, 3 stated assumptions, 1 documented boundary, and 3 sources so the numbers it returns can be checked rather than taken on trust.

Calculations run locallyCalculation & source methodology

How this tool works

A device-oriented bridge from photon quantities to practical optical sources, fibers, detectors, and resonators.

All quantitative graphs carry explicit units on both axes.

Calculators and topics covered

  • photons
  • lasers
  • fiber optics
  • photodetectors
  • optical cavities
  • Gaussian beam
  • numerical aperture
  • link budget
  • responsivity
  • Beer Lambert
  • Fabry Perot
  • pulse energy

Core equations

E=hcλE = \frac{hc}{\lambda }zR=πw02λzR = \frac{\pi w_{0}^{2}}{\lambda }NA=ncore2−nclad2NA = \sqrt{\text{ncore}^{2} - \text{nclad}^{2}}Prx(dBm)=Ptx−∑  lossesPrx \left(\mathrm{dBm}\right) = Ptx - \sum \; \text{losses}FSR=c2nLFSR = \frac{c}{2 nL}

Method and assumptions

Assumptions

  • Gaussian-beam calculations use an ideal TEM00 beam.
  • Fiber mode count uses the weak-guidance step-index approximation.
  • Cavity finesse assumes equal mirror reflectivity and negligible internal loss.

Limitations and design boundaries

  • These calculators do not replace component datasheets, optical design software, or laser safety analysis.

Sources and references

Primary sources are preferred for ratings, standards, manufacturer data, and externally defined constants.

Source policy
  • Saleh and Teich, Fundamentals of PhotonicsGaussian beam propagation, optical resonators, and photodetection.
  • Agrawal, Fiber-Optic Communication SystemsNumerical aperture, normalized frequency, attenuation, and link budget practice.
  • Siegman, LasersCavity free spectral range, finesse, and beam quality conventions.

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