Waveguide and Coupler Design with Ansys Lumerical Software
This lab exercise provides instructions and guidance for designing and analyzing a simple optical waveguide and coupler using Ansys Lumerical software, specifically the Ansys Lumerical FDTD™ advanced 3D electromagnetic FDTD simulation software and Ansys Lumerical MODE™ optical waveguide design tool. It covers 3D waveguide creation, calculation of TE and TM modes, and analysis of how wavelength, width, and height affect the effective refractive index. Both the MODE eigenmode solver and the FDTD time-domain solver are used to explore mode profiles, propagation characteristics, and dispersion. The exercise includes guidance on using Lumerical’s scripting language for simulation setup, parameter sweeps, and data collection. Developed at the University of California San Diego for the ECE 184, Optical Information Processing and Holography, course, the material integrates theoretical background with simulation procedures to support learning in photonics design.
Learning Outcomes
- Design and simulate optical waveguides and couplers using Ansys Lumerical MODE and FDTD.
- Analyze TE and TM modes and their dependence on wavelength and geometry.
- Apply Lumerical scripting for simulation setup, parameter sweeps, and data analysis.
Downloadable Content
- Exercise prompt
- Three script files: Sweep, Waveguide_modes_SB_184_publish, Waveguide_modes_SB_184_publish
Related Resource(s)
- Ring Resonator Design with Ansys Lumerical | Education Resource
- MZ Interferometer with Ansys Lumerical | Education Resource
- Waveguide Couplers in Ansys Lumerical | Education Resources
Applicable Courses for Use
- Optical Information Processing and Holography