Introduction

The OptiFDTD software has seven interdependent modules:

• OptiFDTD_Designer—Create the photonic devices to model
• OptiFDTD_Simulator—Perform the FDTD simulation and DFT analysis
• OptiFDTD_Analyzer—Post-process the simulated data
• FDTD Band Solver—Generate band diagram for photonic crystal
• PWE Band Solver– Band diagram analysis by PWE method
• Cross Section Layout Designer– Design Layout Cross Section and perform mode analysis
• Tool Box- Allows different post-date analysis

This lesson describes how to start using OptiFDTD to perform FDTD simulation. The procedures are:

• Create a new project
  • —   Opening OptiFDTD_Designer
  • —   Initializing the project
  • —   Opening the Waveguide Profile Designer
  • —   Defining the material
  • —   Defining the 2D and 3D channel profile
  • —   Setting up the initial properties

• Create a design
  • —   Drawing a Linear Waveguide
  • —   Drawing a Ring Waveguide

• Set up the Input Plane
  • —   Inserting the Input Plane

• Observe the Refractive Index Distribution
  • —   Observing the Refractive Index Distribution

• Set up observation points, areas, and lines
  • —   Setting up an Observation Point

• Run the simulation
  • —   Setting up the simulation parameters
  • —   Running the 32bit simulation

• Analyze the simulation results
  • —   Opening OptiFDTD_Analyzer
  • —   Analyzing the results
  • —   Calculating the Mode Overlap Integral (MOI)
  • —   Calculating the Input Overlap Integral (IOI)
  • —   Calculating the Input Overlap Integral Scanner (IOIS)
  • —   Calculating the Far Field Transform
  • —   Performing the Observation Object Analysis

• Export results
  • —   Exporting results