Track Opto-Mechatronics

By nature the Opto-Mechatronics course programme is a multi-disciplinary programme. We offer a curriculum which will educate you to become an excellent opto-mechatronics engineer. The track will teach you the fundamentals of optics in theory and practice, as well as understanding of high-end optical systems like microscopes, telescopes, interferometers and digital mirror devices. This expertise is combined with mechatronic system design treating dynamics and motion control; micro-system design expertise covering lithography-based micromanufacturing and optical fibres; adaptive optics on actively deformable mirrors and their integration in an opto-mechatronic system; and a course on design principles for precision positioning and thermomechanical stability. In addition, there is room for electives, such as for instance on more generic topics like engineering dynamics or sensors and actuators, or more specialized ones like space instrumentation or quantum optics, the choice is yours. The combination of these areas forms an excellent basis to becoming an opto-mechatronic scientist or system designer of high-end optical equipment. Experts from different faculties are involved in the curriculum. The programme has been developed in close collaboration with partners outside the university. Therefore, several guest lectures and many of our graduation assignments are defined together with the companies involved, TNO or other research groups.

Optomechatronics is a very wide and multi-disciplinary field. Many specialties come together and one of the challenges is to combine all of these in functional systems that satisfy high performance demands. In the OM track we distinguish two main research areas, Micro-optics and Opto-mechatronics, each encompassing the above characteristics, yet each at a different length scale:

Optomechatronics
The field of opto-mechatronics deals with High-Tech systems where optical units dominate the speed and precision of operation. High end lenses and mirrors tend to be large and heavy yet need to be moved and positioned with extreme accuracy and repeatability. This is true for light operated manufacturing processes like lithography for semiconductor production and for 3D metal printing, as well as extreme accuracy measurement systems and telescopes for astronomy. Opto-mechatronics by nature is a multi-disciplinary field integrating optics and mechatronic system design, using actuators, sensors and control techniques for building smart and adaptive optical systems. 

Micro-optics
An emerging trend is evolving towards micro-optics, providing solutions in high-capacity telecommunication, distributed measurement, as well as integration of optical and mechatronic elements for micro opto-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS), and advanced optical elements for biological and chemical sensing. Of special interest are flexible photonic systems, with links to adaptive optics and compliant mechanisms, with application in flexible displays, and in waveguides for flexible integrated optical circuits. This entails many challenges in numerical modelling, design, materials such as polymer or (silicon) semiconductor nano-photonics, and production.

The new Track OM is currently offered as a focus area within the track HTE. This has no consequence on the content or formalities whatsoever but gives students more flexibility in choosing electives and liaising with a larger student population.