Fundamentals of integrated photonic components

This course gives an introduction to basic integrated photonics components that are at the core of photonic nanotechnologies today. The course combines theoretical description with practical lab work where students will do simulations in CST Microwave Studio.

Content

The course starts from a basic revision of Maxwell's equations in linear, homogeneous, isotropic materials, followed by in-depth derivations of the following components:

1. Introduction

2. Basics of fibers and waveguides.

3. Basics of evanescent couplers and grating couplers.

4. Basics of splitters based on multi-mode interference (MMIs).

5. Basics of resonators (Fabry-Perot and ring resonators).

6. Basics of printed antennas.

Each week, students will first gain a theoretical understanding by deriving in-class the workings and the most fundamental underlying principles of the components we'll treat, and then gain hands-on experience in finite element methods using the simulation software CST Microwave studio.

Students will enforce the gained theoretical knowledge by analyzing the results of the electromagnetic simulations (field distribution, optical parameters such as refractive index, transmission, reflection etc.)..

Through the various exercises, students will be exposed to different features of the simulation tool (parametric sweep, template-based post processing, dispersive media etc.).