Integrated Photonics Simulation Library
See also examples of several simulations available on our website
Photonic integrated circuit (PIC) designers need a firm understanding of waveguide modes to work with the micron-scale behavior of light.
In this introductory course, you will explore a library of interactive web simulations that help you build intuition for PIC component design. You will move beyond ray optics to learn the basics of modal analysis and mode superposition using novel methods of 2D and 3D data visualization. The simulations, videos, and exercises will help you gain an advanced foundation in integrated photonics that will be useful to both engineering students and experienced designers.
The first half of the course introduces waveguide modes, electromagnetic vector fields, mode superposition, and the dynamic behavior of light in a dielectric waveguide.
The second half dives into the behavior of select silicon photonic components like multimode interferometers (MMIs), edge couplers, and grating couplers.
This course will prepare students for the following advanced courses: Fundamentals of Integrated Photonics (FIP), Photonic Integrated Circuits 1 (PIC1), PIC Sensors, Integrated Photonics Test (Active and Passive), and Photodetectors and Modulators for Silicon Photonics.
Learning Goals
Build intuition for photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design using interactive web simulations
Understand a 3D perspective of how light travels in a dielectric waveguide and visualize EM superposition
Build a mental model for the behavior of passive PIC components by replacing macro-scale ray optics with the micron-scale modal analysis perspective of light
Explore the basic behavior of the following PIC components:
Straight Waveguide
Waveguide Interface
Multimode Interferometer
Edge Coupler
Grating Coupler