A geometry optimization framework for photonic crystal design

E.E. Hart, A. Sóbester, K. Djidjeli, M. Molinari, K.S. Thomas, S.J. Cox

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    The performance of photonic crystal devices can depend strongly on their geometry. Alas, their fundamental physics offers relatively little by way of pointers in terms of optimum shapes, so numerical design search techniques must be used in an attempt to determine high performance layouts. We discuss strategies for solving this type of optimization problem, the main challenge of which is the conflict between the enormous size of the space of potentially useful designs and the relatively high computational cost of evaluating the performance of putative shapes. The optimization technique proposed here operates over increasing levels of fidelity, both in terms of the resolution of its non-parametric shape definition and in terms of the resolution of the numerical analysis of the performance of putative designs. This is a generic method, potentially applicable to any type of electromagnetic device shape design problem. We also consider a methodology for assessing the robustness of the optima generated through this process, investigating the impact of manufacturing errors on their performance. As an illustration, we apply this technology to the design of a two-dimensional photonic crystal structure; the result features a large complete band gap structure and a topology that is different from previously published designs. ?? 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)25-35
    Number of pages11
    JournalPhotonics and Nanostructures - Fundamentals and Applications
    Volume10
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jan 2012

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'A geometry optimization framework for photonic crystal design'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this