1. Introduction to the Basics: Boltzmann Statistics and Plancks Radiation Law. 2. Measurements and Experimental Techniques. 3. Photodiodes. 4. Electrical Response Time of Diodes. 5. Measurement of Photodiode Spectra. 6. Light Emitting Diodes. 7. Measurements: Light Emitting Diodes. 8. Lasers. 9. System Design.