OPALS-a new computer aided learning package for photonics

An increasing number of universities are offering courses on Photonics. Due to financial and safety considerations, these courses are generally theoretical and include very little, if any, experimental or design content. Computer-aided learning (CAL) techniques, can be used to enhance these courses and to develop practical and realistic design skills in the students. Furthermore, CAL offers safety advantages and is inexpensive compared with physical experiments. This paper introduces OPALS-the Opto-electronic, Photonic and Advanced Laser Simulator-which can be used as such a learning tool