[paper] Compact Model of Linear Passive IPD

Zhang, Zijian

Compact Model of Linear Passive Integrated Photonics Device

for Photon Design Automation

arXiv preprint: 2501.06774 (2025)

1 University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China

Abstract: As integrated photonic systems grow in scale and complexity, Photonic Design Automation (PDA) tools and Process Design Kits (PDKs) have become increasingly important for layout and simulation. However, fixed PDKs often fail to meet the rising demand for customization, compelling designers to spend significant time on geometry optimization using FDTD, EME, and BPM simulations. To address this challenge, we propose a data-driven Eigenmode Propagation Method (DEPM) based on the unitary evolution of optical waveguides, along with a compact model derived from intrinsic waveguide Hamiltonians. The relevant parameters are extracted via complex coupled-mode theory. Once constructed, the compact model enables millisecond-scale simulations that achieve accuracy on par with 3D-FDTD, within the model’s valid scope. Moreover, this method can swiftly evaluate the effects of manufacturing variations on device and system performance, including both random phase errors and polarization-sensitive components. The data-driven EPM thus provides an efficient and flexible solution for future photonic design automation, promising further advancements in integrated photonic technologies.

Fig: Photon design automation workflow based on compact model

of linear passive optical waveguide

Supplementary information:

The time evaluations were conducted on a system equipped with an Intel i9-10850K processor, 64 GB DDR4 memory, and NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 professional graphics processor.