University microcredentials 2nd edition (2025 - 2026)
2nd edition (2025 - 2026)
Presenting our second edition of the training program on integrated photonics: a comprehensive set of microcredentials (short courses) designed for professionals, students or researchers eager to deepen their expertise in the field. Thanks to the Cátedra Chip (University of Málaga), this is the last time that up to 12 students can opt to be fully funded.
Pre-enrolment opens on January 9, 2026. You can check out the microcredential website of University of Málaga to see course prices and register. If you are interested in enroling, you can fill the form below to let us know your preferences and keep you updated via email. Download our FAQ to know more about the course inscription or send an email to photonics-microcredentials@uma.es.
Academic calendar
Enrolment
Courses
Optical waveguides and material platforms for photonic integrated circuits
Study of the basic principles governing the propagation of electromagnetic waves at optical frequencies, solving Maxwell’s equations but also using the geometric optics approach. Different types of waveguides and platforms used in integrated photonics are described, as well as the main sources of losses (substrate leakage, roughness, curved waveguides), and basic devices (discontinuities, transitions, waveguides and waveguide crossings).
Instructors: Gonzalo Wangüemert Pérez, David González Andrade.
Invited speaker: Miguel Montesinos Ballester.
Language: English
From February 2, 2026 to February 20, 2026
3 ECTS - 30 hours
Mode: Online and hybrid
Passive building blocks for photonic integrated circuits
Analysis and design of the main passive building blocks used in integrated photonic circuits: directional couplers, multimode interference (MMI) devices, resonant rings, Mach-Zehnder interferometers, as well as the devices that make use of them, such as filters, multiplexers, power dividers.
Instructors: Robert Halir, David González Andrade, Miguel Barona Ruiz.
Language: English
From February 23, 2026 to March 13, 2026
3 ECTS - 30 hours
Mode: Online and hybrid
Periodic dielectric structures for photonic integrated circuits
Photonic devices based on periodic dielectric structures are studied, with a focus on their behavior as metamaterials and Bragg reflectors. The course includes the analysis of key metrics, the development of design techniques, the revision of the state-of-the-art and the implementation of devices.
Instructors: José Manuel Luque González, Alejandro Fernández Hinestrosa, Alejandro Sánchez Sánchez.
Invited speaker: Pavel Cheben.
Language: English
From March 16, 2026 to March 27, 2026
3 ECTS - 30 hours
Mode: Online and hybrid
Lenses and Gaussian beam propagation
Analysis of the fundamental principles of geometrical optics, lens systems, and gradual-index media, along with techniques such as Fourier optics and diffraction analysis. It includes the examination of Gaussian beams and their propagation through lens-based optical systems.
Instructors: Laureano Moreno Pozas, Gonzalo Wangüemert Pérez.
Invited speakers: Pablo Ginel Moreno, Enrique Joven Álvarez.
Language: English
From April 6, 2026 to April 24, 2026
3 ECTS - 30 hours
Mode: Online and hybrid
Integrated optical antennas
This course addresses the design of integrated optical antennas and antenna arrays (OPA) for applications of practical interest, such as fiber-chip coupling, remote sensing (LIDAR) or wireless optical communications systems. In particular, the fundamentals of dielectric optical antennas based on periodic structures (grating couplers) will be studied, as well as their grouping in 1D and 2D configurations to form antenna arrays with electronic beam-steering capability.
Instructors: Alejandro Ortega Moñux, Laureano Moreno Pozas.
Invited speakers: Daniel Benedikovic, Pablo Ginel Moreno.
Language: English
From April 27, 2026 to May 15, 2026
3 ECTS - 30 hours
Mode: Online and hybrid
Encapsulation and characterization of silicon photonic chips
Analysis of the characterization systems for non-pigtailed silicon photonic chips. Introduction to the most common techniques for integrated circuits packaging, including optical and electrical interfaces and their main challenges.
Instructors: José de Oliva Rubio, Miguel Barona Ruiz.
Language: English
From May 18, 2026 to May 29, 2026
3 ECTS - 30 hours
Mode: Online and hybrid
Active devices for microwave photonics
Study of active photonic devices (optical sources, modulators and detectors) from the point of view of microwave photonics and its applications. Introduction to the main applications of microwave photonics: microwave signal distribution, RF signal generation, beamforming for antenna arrays and microwave signal processing.
Instructor: Diego Pérez Galacho.
Language: English
From June 1, 2026 to June 19, 2026
3 ECTS - 30 hours
Mode: Online and hybrid
Guided and free-space optical communications
This course covers the fundamental principles and advanced applications of optical communications, including both fiber-guided and free-space (FSO) modalities. Topics span advanced coherent transceivers with DSP, next-generation optical networks, and the design and evaluation of optical systems. Students will develop practical skills through projects and laboratory activities, enabling them to effectively design real optical systems.
Instructor: Pedro Reyes Iglesias.
Language: English
From June 22, 2026 to July 3, 2026
3 ECTS - 30 hours
Mode: Online and hybrid
Integrated photonic biosensors
Basic principles governing integrated photonic biosensors are reviewed. Dielectric waveguides are analyzed focusing in evanescent field interaction with sensor surface. Interrogation architectures for these sensors are proposed and designed. Some of the surface functionalization strategies to be attached the bioreceptors to the sensor surface are presented and kinetic models of molecular recognition are studied.
Instructors: Iñigo Molina Fernández, Ana Sánchez Ramírez.
Invited speaker: Antonio Conde González.
Language: English
From July 6, 2026 to July 17, 2026
3 ECTS - 30 hours
Mode: Online and hybrid
Integrated quantum photonics
In this course, the analysis of the principles and fundamental applications of integrated photonics for quantum technologies is addressed, including secure communications and quantum computing. Key technologies and devices for on-chip quantum control and processing are studied: single-photon and photon-pair sources, structures for the manipulation of quantum states, and single-photon detectors.
Instructor: Alejandro Sánchez Postigo.
Invited speakers: Iñigo Liberal Olleta, Samael Sarmiento Hernández.
Language: English
From July 20, 2026 to July 31, 2026
3 ECTS - 30 hours
Mode: Online and hybrid