Variational Mode Matching - VMM

We offer efficient numerical models for the simulation of planar-waveguide based, guided-wave optoelectronic/photonic devices and substructures such as

• grating based input/output couplers,
• abrupt waveguide transitions,
• DFB- and DBR-laser waveguides and cavities,
• multi-section devices,
• grating-based surface-emitting devices,
• tapers, and
• 2D waveguide cross sections.

The devices may consist of (ultra-)high-index-contrast materials such as, e.g., silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structures or metalized waveguide-grating structures.

Our models are based on the variational mode-matching (VMM) approach which inherits the advantageous features of "conventional" mode-matching techniques like

• a moderate number of unknowns in the description of guided-wave devices,
• an insusceptibility to the occurrence of phase-errors in long, resonating structures, and
• solutions that appeal to devices physics.

In addition, provides VMM provides

• an extremely high level of numerical stability, especially in the simulation of "open" structures containing perfectly-matched layers (PMLs) where the selection of a proper set of local eigenmodes is crucial;
• an efficient modeling of multi-section devices and aperiodic grating structures by exploiting an advanced scattering-matrix scheme;
• the capability of using localized shape functions in the description of the local eigenmodes speeding up the convergence significantly;
• resulting in very fast and accurate solvers for the computation of electromagnetic fields.

To discover the capabilities of VMM, feel free to try out our online demonstrator!