Hybrid Optical Simulator for Electromagnetic Wave Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing electromagnetic waves, particularly in optical devices, are inefficient due to the need for complex calculations and large computing resources, especially when dealing with metallic or magnetic materials, as they often require lengthy analysis times and may not accurately account for induced currents.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid optical simulator that selectively applies the Beam Propagation Method (BPM) and Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) methods to different parts of the analysis structure based on the presence of metallic or magnetic materials, allowing for quick and accurate analysis by dividing the structure into parts and determining the appropriate method for each section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single electromagnetic wave analysis method is used for the entire structure, then the analysis process is simple to implement, but the analysis time increases and accuracy decreases for structures containing metallic or magnetic materials
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis structure is divided into multiple parts based on material properties. The hybrid optical simulator segments the structure into regions containing metallic/magnetic materials and regions without such materials, allowing different analysis methods to be applied to each segment. This segmentation enables both fast analysis (using BPM for dielectric regions) and accurate analysis (using FDTD for metallic/magnetic regions), resolving the contradiction between analysis speed and accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the FDTD method is used for metallic or magnetic materials, then the analysis accuracy improves by accounting for induced currents, but the analysis time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different analysis methods to different regions based on local material properties. The FDTD method, which provides high accuracy for metallic/magnetic materials, is applied only locally to regions containing such materials, while the BPM method is used for the remaining dielectric regions. This local quality approach ensures accurate analysis where needed while maintaining overall analysis efficiency, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and analysis time.
3Productivity
If the BPM method is used for the entire structure, then the analysis time is reduced, but the accuracy decreases for structures containing metallic or magnetic materials due to inability to account for induced currents
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid optical simulator segments the analysis structure into regions suitable for BPM analysis and regions requiring FDTD analysis. By segmenting the structure and applying BPM only to dielectric regions without metallic/magnetic materials, the patent maintains fast analysis speed while ensuring reliability is not compromised in critical regions where FDTD is applied.
4Measurement precision
If a hybrid analysis method is used, then the analysis accuracy and speed are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid optical simulator is designed as a universal platform that can perform both BPM and FDTD analyses. By integrating multiple analysis methods into a single multi-functional simulator, the patent manages device complexity through a unified architecture that automatically selects and applies the appropriate method based on material properties, rather than requiring separate specialized simulators for each method.
Data Source
AI summary
Analysis of an electromagnetic wave traveling in an optical device, can be performed quickly and correctly. A structure forming process simulator forms an analysis structure of a physical object to be analyzed. A hybrid optical simulator calculates time-independent data and time-dependent data of an electromagnetic field by dividing the analysis structure into parts, determining whether a metallic or magnetic material is included in each of the divided parts, and selectively applying a Beam Propagation Method (BPM) or a Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method to the divided parts. A storage device stores the time-independent data and the time-dependent data output from the hybrid optical simulator as hybrid electric field data. Related methods are also described.