Reinforcement learning for photonic component design

We present a new fab-in-the-loop reinforcement learning algorithm for the design of nano-photonic components that accounts for the imperfections present in nanofabrication processes. As a demonstration of the potential of this technique, we apply it to the design of photonic crystal grating couplers...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Donald Witt, Jeff Young, Lukas Chrostowski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIP Publishing LLC 2023-10-01
Series:APL Photonics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0159928
Description
Summary:We present a new fab-in-the-loop reinforcement learning algorithm for the design of nano-photonic components that accounts for the imperfections present in nanofabrication processes. As a demonstration of the potential of this technique, we apply it to the design of photonic crystal grating couplers fabricated on an air clad 220 nm silicon on insulator single etch platform. This fab-in-the-loop algorithm improves the insertion loss from 8.8 to 3.24 dB. The widest bandwidth designs produced using our fab-in-the-loop algorithm can cover a 150 nm bandwidth with less than 10.2 dB of loss at their lowest point.
ISSN:2378-0967