Open Collections

Finlay, Eric; Kucera, Lee

Dr. Lukas Chrostowski sponsored the project taken on by Lee Kucera and Eric Finlay for their ENPH 479 project course. The project had two primary objectives: to write a Lumerical script that would simulate a physical photonic device and to write a script to systematically test various iterations of the device for optimal properties. Lumerical is an industry program created to simulate electromagnetic wave propagation in different materials and geometries. A Lumerical script is a text file that controls the operation of the Lumerical program automatically. The project was centered on learning how Lumerical works and developing a script to complete actions automatically. The workflow consisted of each student working on the shared script file independently, collaborating when issues arose and going to the project sponsor for advice once intuition and current knowledge had been exhausted. Results at this time are a Lumerical script that exactly recreates the physical layout of the physical photonic device, but whose simulation results do not match the physical device. The simulation results (electromagnetic wave transmission) shows the expected general shape, but offset from where it should be. Since the simulated device has so far failed to give results that match the physical device, we are unable to draw conclusions about the final effectiveness of the simulation, potential avenues to improve the photonic device or which configuration is optimal. However, we feel that the program is close to giving the desired result, which will allow the project to move forward. The final recommendation of this project is to continue developing the script to simulate the existing device and simulate variations of this device. If it becomes apparent that the Lumerical software is unable to produce the results from the physical device, the script should be abandoned; this decision can only be made by the project sponsor, drawing on their experience with both the software and the field in general.

Text

University of British Columbia. APSC 479

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0074478

Science, Faculty of; Physics and Astronomy, Department of

Unreviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/