Efficient Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis of Emerging Nanophotonic Devices

The design optimization process of photonic and optoelectronic devices can be time consuming. The modeling of these electrically-long devices is time-intensive. Accurate time-domain and frequency-domain simulation tools such as the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method and the finite element method (FEM) are usually utilized to model these devices. These methods require fine meshing to achieve accurate results. The fine meshing results in slow simulation time.
Designing photonic and optoelectronic devices requires large number of accurate simulations. The robust gradient-based optimizers require repeated estimation of response sensitivities. The slow models of electrically-long devices render the optimization phase formidable. Several approaches have been proposed to accelerate the design of these devices. These approaches including surrogate modeling approaches such Space Mapping. They also include adjoint sensitivity approaches. These methods evaluate the sensitivities of the objective function in an efficient way thus dramatically reducing the optimization time.
This project will provide selected interns with the opportunity to develop fundamental analysis and numerical software development skills for a broad range of industrially relevant physical simulation challenges. Further, the project will provide R&D services to the industrial partner, leading to advanced research, potential new products and opportunities for Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mohamed Bakr

Student:

Partner:

ANSYS Canada Ltd.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Information and Communications Technology; Nanotechnology; Technology

University:

McMaster University

Program: