• Technical Conference:  05 – 10 May 2024
  • The CLEO Hub: 07 – 09 May 2024

SC410 - Finite Element Modeling Methods for Photonics and Optics

Monday, 06 May
08:30 - 12:30

Short Course Level:

Instructor:

Arti Agrawal; University of Technology Sydney, Australia

Short Course Description:

Numerical modelling and simulation of optical devices and components is a key tool in improving performance by reducing time and monetary costs, design optimization and characterization as well as innovating new ideas. Both passive and active devices are modelled and optimized numerically. Simulation, in some cases, is the only way to explore phenomena in which technology is not advanced enough for fabrication. The interaction of the optical beam with physical effects such as non-linearity, stress, strain, change in refractive index due to temperature, application of electric fields, etc. are now extremely important. Modelling complements experimental work perfectly, and almost no research is conducted without it.

The Finite Element (FE) method is one of the most popular and powerful methods for modelling in photonics. This short course starts with Maxwell’s equations and explains the basic principles of numerical modelling and the key assumptions involved. This foundation is used to develop the FE method, including a brief tour of the mathematics. How the method can be applied to various optical devices is discussed in detail. How physical effects can be included with the FE method for modelling is considered. The course ends with an explanation of FE based beam propagation methods and how these can be used to find the evolution of the optical fields.

Short Course Benefits:

Some salient features of the short course include:

  • Emphasis on practical application of FEM for modelling of devices
  • Discussion on developing code/using commercial solvers
  • Perfectly Matched Layer and Periodic boundary condition
  • Generating mesh for structures, post-processing of results
  • Discussion on popular commercial software such as COMSOL and how to best utilize them

 Methods covered include:

  • Full vector Finite Element method for modal solution

 Practical illustrations include:

  • Optical waveguides- finding modes
  • Si slot waveguides, nanowires and high index contrast structures
  • Bent waveguides and loss
  • Plasmonic waveguides
  • S parameters and their application to anti reflection coatings, sensors
Short Course Audience:

This course is intended for researchers, engineers and students who use simulation in their work in both fundamental and applied aspects of optics and photonics, especially for components and devices. The course is useful for members of both academic and industrial institutions.

Basic background and familiarity in optics will be sufficient.

Instructor Biography:

Arti’s current professional positions reflect her dual passions: science and social justice.

She is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Electrical and Data Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney. She is also the CEO and founder of Vividhata Pty Ltd, a diversity and inclusion consulting company.

Arti’s research interests lie in optics: modelling of photonic components such as solar cells, optical fibers, sensors, lasers, etc. She is an expert on numerical methods for optics such as Finite Element Method (FEM). She has written a book on FEM and edited a book on trends in computational photonics.

Arti is a Senior Member of the IEEE and Optica, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics and both a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Physicist.

Arti was awarded the 2020 IEEE Photonics Society Distinguished Service Award for exceptional contributions to the Photonics Society as a champion of diversity and inclusion initiatives. She was also awarded the OSA Diversity and Advocacy Recognition in 2020 for an unwavering dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion throughout the global optics and photonics community.