Precision at the Speed of Light: How Alcyon Photonics Uses Simulation To Build Reliable Photonic IP

When you think about the technologies shaping our connected world — faster data transfer, more efficient networks, and scalable computing — photonics quietly sits at the center of it all. By using light instead of electricity to move information, photonic devices promise higher speeds, lower power consumption, and new possibilities for communications and computing.

According to McKinsey & Co., photonics-enabled systems already account for a roughly $1.4 trillion global market, with continued growth driven by the expanding adoption of light-based technologies across industries.

In this rapidly growing field, where light and data are harnessed to power technologies of the future, there’s no room for guesswork. Increasingly, photonics is recognized as a cornerstone for technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and next-generation internet systems.

Before incorporating advanced simulation tools, Alcyon faced challenges such as lengthy development cycles, costly prototyping, and the need for greater design predictability. The company needed a solution that could not only model its designs but predict performance in real-world conditions without the need for endless trial and error.

To ensure that Alcyon’s devices are not only delivered faster but also more robust and reliable under varying conditions, it’s crucial to simulate real-world conditions. Factors such as temperature changes and physical stress are considered and measured through simulation. In an industry where failure is not an option, these simulations are critical.

In photonics, prototyping is about reducing uncertainty (technical, physical, and economic) before committing to fabrication or deployment. Because of the highly sensitive nature, modeling light-matter interactions with geometry, materials, and boundary conditions is not optional — it is foundational.

Ansys tools enable Alcyon to design devices with unparalleled precision and efficiency. By accurately modeling the behavior of light and other physical phenomena, the company can ensure that its devices fulfill strict performance requirements in real-world conditions. This is particularly important for applications in critical industries, such as telecommunications and computing, where reliability is non-negotiable.

Transforming Simulations With GPUs

Alcyon achieved major victories through the use of graphics processing unit (GPU)-accelerated simulations, which are a game-changing feature of Ansys tools and capabilities. In its sub-wavelength grating (SWG) techniques — a computationally expensive design technique used in photonics which enables highly robust and broadband performance — Alcyon harnessed the speed of GPUs.

Irene Ayuso Pérez, technical lead building blocks at Alcyon, explains: “The problem with SWG is that it is difficult to fabricate. It’s not straightforward. It requires higher computational time to capture the essence of the SWG structure. It was actually the first design that we did with GPUs, and we were very happy to see an 8 times increase in the simulation speed.”

“We also did some particle swarm optimization algorithms for some of our designs, which was amazing in terms of the speedup of the GPUs,” says Ayuso Pérez.

“A particle swarm optimization algorithm requires hundreds of simulations until it finds the particular combination of parameters for optimization," she explains. “We could only do this thanks to GPU acceleration. With CPU computing, the number of simulations is simply overwhelming for our hardware.”

As a result of the greater operational efficiency provided by incorporating simulation, Alcyon is able to focus more on innovation, dedicating more resources to pushing the boundaries of the photonics industry.

A Bright Future in Photonics

For Alcyon, the adoption of Ansys tools has been a game changer. The ability to simulate, test, and optimize its designs — all virtually — has not only solved many of the challenges that it faced but has opened opportunities for innovation. By leveraging the advanced capabilities of Ansys software, the company has developed pioneering photonic devices that meet the demands of today’s technology landscape.

Looking ahead, Alcyon is poised to continue driving innovation in the photonics industry. With Ansys tools as a key part of its workflow, it has the flexibility and capability to tackle even more complex challenges. With the growing demand for high-speed communication, advanced sensors, and quantum technologies, Alcyon is well equipped to address those needs and continue shaping the future of photonic technology.

In today’s ever-evolving photonics landscape, where light is essential for data and connectivity, the collaboration between Alcyon and Ansys tools beautifully demonstrates the role of technology in fostering innovation. A commitment to precision, efficiency, and adaptability not only addresses current needs but sets a strong foundation for the groundbreaking technologies of the future.

Explore how to get started with GPU-accelerated Lumerical FDTD software, access the entire Lumerical suite with Ansys Optics, and scale your simulations with Ansys Cloud Burst Compute software for Lumerical software.

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