CVAE Generative Model for Photonic Device Inverse Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for designing materials and devices face challenges in optimizing multiple parameters simultaneously due to time-consuming simulations and experiments, and existing inverse neural networks are limited in handling complex optimization problems, often resulting in narrower bandwidth and semi-optimized results.

Innovation Solution

A Conditional Variational Autoencoder (CVAE) system with adversarial censoring and active learning is developed to generate device designs, utilizing a network structure with two encoders, two decoders, and two adversarial blocks to efficiently optimize device parameters, enabling the generation of devices with arbitrary splitting ratios and improved performance across a broad bandwidth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional optimization methods are used to design materials and devices, then design accuracy can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming due to multiple parameters needing simultaneous optimization and lengthy simulation/experiment cycles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign timeVSAvoidnumber of parameters to optimize
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical optimization processes (simulations and experiments) with a neural network-based system. The neural network learns from training data and directly predicts optimal device structures, eliminating the need for time-consuming iterative simulations and experiments while handling multiple parameters simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical design process through neural network training. By training on a dataset of device structures and their performance characteristics, the neural network creates a digital model that can generate optimal designs without requiring physical prototypes or extensive simulations, thus accelerating the design process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Device complexity

If inverse neural network models are used to optimize binary structures, then dimension reduction is achieved, but the results are limited to narrower bandwidth and require further optimization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimension of optimization problemVSAvoidbandwidth performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter representation from binary (0 or 1) to continuous values. This allows the neural network to optimize over a broader range of possible structures, enabling achieving wider bandwidth performance and more sophisticated optimization results without the limitations of binary constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from optimizing binary structures (dimensional reduction) to optimizing continuous parameters. This dimensional change allows the model to capture more complex structural variations and achieve superior performance in terms of bandwidth and overall optimization quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If existing inverse neural network models are used, then design generation is possible, but the results are semi-optimized and require additional optimization steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign generation speedVSAvoidoptimization quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the neural network continuously refines its predictions based on performance metrics. The system evaluates generated designs and uses this feedback to iteratively improve the results, achieving fully optimized solutions rather than semi-optimized ones, while maintaining high generation speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary optimization during the training phase by pre-computing optimal structures and their performance characteristics. This preliminary action stores optimized design patterns in the neural network, allowing for rapid generation of high-quality designs without requiring additional optimization steps during the actual design process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4211616B1Generative model for inverse design of materials, devices, and structures
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4211616B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4211616B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4211616B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A photonic device for splitting optical beams includes an input port configured to receive an input beam having an input power, a power splitter including perturbation segments arranged in a first region and a second region of a guide material having a first refractive index, each segment having a second refractive index, wherein the first region is configured to split the input beam into a first beam and a second beam, wherein and the second region is configured to separately guide the first and second beams, wherein the first refractive index is greater than the second refractive index, and output ports including first and second output ports connected the power splitter to respectively receive and transmit the first and second beams.