The latest version of OptiFDTD maximizes the capabilities of 64-bit operating systems, providing:
- Access to large amounts of memory not possible with 32-bit operating systems.
- Scalability for multicore processors, and multiprocessor motherboards.
- Faster overall performance and rendering.
New in OptiFDTD 9.0 – Non-Uniform Mesh
The OptiFDTD design experience is now enhanced with a non-uniform mesh feature.
The strength for non-uniform FDTD is to conserve memory usage and consequently reduce CPU time. In the case of a high refractive index region, a fine mesh should be used, while in the low index region, the coarse mesh can be applied.
New 2D Cauchy Integral mode solver
The 2D mode solver in OptiFDTD 9.0 is now enhanced to find lossy and leaky modes, as well as surface plasmon modes. This mode solver exploits the Cauchy Integral rule – where the number of poles inside a closed path in the complex plane is given from the path integral over the contour.
New OptiMODE XS Designer (create projects out of mode solving)
OptiFDTD 9.0 introduces a new application enabling users to create complete projects out of mode solving.
In most cases, the first stage of optical design is the design of the optical waveguide itself. At this stage, mode solvers are the natural simulators to use. In OptiFDTD 9.0, one can specify materials and profiles, and then create a project using OptiMODE XS Designer.
The OptiMODE design application is dedicated to the cross section of the waveguide only. The associated Simulator accesses all 3D mode solvers available from Optiwave, and is supported by a post processor Analyzer application, in the same style as OptiBPM and OptiFDTD.
The designer also supports VB Scripts which facilitate batch simulation automation to scan or optimize design parameters. Once the design is finished, the optimized profile can be added to the Master profile list in the Profile Designer, for use in subsequent OptiFDTD (or OptiBPM) simulations.
New Additional feature in OptiMODE
The solving of modes from user‐defined refractive index distributions. Import a file with any kind of refractive index distribution into the OptiMODE XS Designer.
New VB Scripting support extended to 64-bit simulation engines
Responding to demands of our users, VB Script support is now supported in 64‐bit simulators. This feature is currently available in 32‐bit simulators and utilized by many users in simulations of complex, parameterized structures, and their optimizations.
New Calculation of modal group delay and dispersion
OptiFDTD 9.0 includes a special feature to plot modal index vs. wavelength. This data is displayed in the OptiMODE Results Analyzer. From this data it can also calculate and plot group delay and dispersion spectra. The feature is based on a wavelength scan controlled by VB Script. However, if the user does not want to write the script, there is an option to use the dispersion scan script auto‐generation feature. This dialog box controlled feature will write the
appropriate script automatically.
Features Introduced in OptiFDTD 8.1 and earlier:
Lorentz-Drude Model for Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)
Optiwave is the exclusive provider of the most reliable simulation algorithm used to simulate the charateristics of surface plasmon and plasma materials, including nano-metallic structures.
Surface plasmons have the unique capacity to confine light to very small dimensions which has created a new research trend in the photonics and bio-photonics industry.
Scattering Form Nano Particles
A three-dimensional simulation of a 39nm spherical nano-particle. Illustrated to the left is a dielectric and gold material with a refractive index of 1.47.
The excitation is a Y-polarized plane wave propagating in the Z direction. Figure illustrates y-z and x-y plane field patterns.
Initial Phase of the Plane Input Wave
A new feature enabling users to select the initial phase offset of a launched input wave. A practical application when analyzing combined signals from multiple input planes.
Extensive Material Choices
- Lossless and lossy materials Isotropic and anisotropic materials
- Multiple resonance dispersive materials
- Lorentz-Drude materials
- (Noble metals and surface plasma materials) 2nd-Order and 3rd-Order nonlinear materials Kerr effect materials
- Raman effect materials
- Perfect conductor materials
Various Excitation Sources
- Waveguide mode excitation
- Gaussian beam excitation
- Plane wave excitation
- Point source and Dipole Source
- Single wavelength excitation
- TF/SF excitation
- Spectral excitation
- Power and amplitude
- Linear or circular polarization
- Multiple beam excitations
Comprehensive Feature Set
Advanced Boundary Conditions
OptiFDTD includes an advanced boundary condition simulation feature which optimizes memory usage and provides more accurate results. Using the Uniaxial Perfectly Matched Layer (UPML) method to calculate the absorbing boundary condition in comparison with conventional PML. The periodic boundary condition, Perfect Electric Conductor (PEC) and Perfect Magnetic Conductor (PMC) boundary conditions can be used with UPML to realize more advanced simulations for periodic and symmetric layouts.
Robust Photonic Crystal Editor
Included with OptiFDTD is a robust photonic crystal editor allowing users to edit any lattice structure and periodic layout with a number of template shapes (i.e. Atom Waveguides). Editing features have also been improved, including user-defined shape creation and structure rotation.
Simulation Automation through Scripting
A powerful feature empowers users with full simulation engine automation through Visual Basic scripting.Completely integrated with the graphical user interface, the flexible scripting tools allow for a streamlined automation process:
- Quickly and easily convert any layout design or its parts into the script.
- Create custom libraries of scripts that represent particular components, which can be added to any new layout design.
- Easily create the most complex design without manual graphical user interface operations.
- Optimize your simulation with comprehensive post-processing tools.
FDTD Band solver
A fully integrated 2D band solver is based on the FDTD method with Bloch’s periodic boundary condition, and can generate the band diagram based on the reduced simulation domain of single or multiple cells from a square or hexagonal lattice.
Waveguide thickness tapering options
Waveguides can now be tapered in thickness in addition to width. Channel waveguides can be tapered linearly, and fibers can be tapered linearly and proportionately. With 3D fiber profiles, the width of the 2D waveguide in the x-z plane is also applied to the height, in order to model fiber tapering. As the dimensions change in y, the position of the center line of the fiber in 3D space is maintained.
Post Data Analysis
OptiFDTD has the strongest post-data analysis tools available. Options include, Discrete Fourier Transform Field Distribution in Domain, Poynting Vector in Domain, Polarized Power calculation, and Overlap Integral calculation.
PWE band solver
A new band solver based on plane wave expansion (PWE) method will enable customers to analyze properties of photonic crystal materials and devices in all three dimensions.
“We are using OptiFDTD to perform 2D and 3D simulations of CMOS image sensor pixels to evaluate their optical efficiency. OptiFDTD is a very versatile simulation tool and we have been very impressed with the technical support we have received from Optiwave.”
Dr. Peter Catrysse
Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University
