New Features

Shared Features

Stack Optical Solver

One can often use analytical methods to determine the optical response of a multilayer stack instead of time-consuming direct simulations of Maxwell’s equations. Lumerical’s new Stack Optical Solver includes a set of script-based functions that can be used for this purpose.

• For plane wave illumination: stackrt, stackfield (included in all Lumerical products)

• For dipole illumination: stackdipole 1, stackpurcell (licensed separately)

New script commands
try, zeros, ones 1, prod, amax, amin

FDTD Solutions 8.18 and MODE Solutions 8.0

Optical solvers

Improved S-Parameter Matrix Sweep Utility (FDTD Solutions only)
The S-parameter Matrix Sweep utility in FDTD Solutions now supports the extraction of the full s-matrix of a structure using fewer simulations by taking the advantage of symmetries present in that structure. A tutorial showing the improved S-parameter matrix sweep utility can be found at S-parameter matrix sweep 2.

RF template (FDTD Solutions)
Users can now open files in FDTD Solutions from a default RF template that contains default settings appropriate for simulations at radio frequencies, see RF methodology 2.

Automatic mesh override regions (FDTD and MODE Solutions)
Mesh override regions 1 can now be defined based on the geometry of individual structures or groups.

ZEMAX Interoperability (FDTD and MODE Solutions)
The Zemax interoperability feature offers a seamless exchange of field data between Lumerical’s optical solvers and Zemax’s OpticStudio via both GUI and script commands. GUI can be used to conveniently save mode profiles from MODE Solutions or monitor data from FDTD Solutions into Zemax ZBF files. The related Zemax interoperability commands 2 then offer more robust approach to manipulating and transferring data between all Lumerical optical solvers and Zemax.

Anisotropic FDE solver (MODE Solutions)
MODE Solutions’ finite-difference eigenmode (FDE) solver now supports fully anisotropic materials, see the new E and H solver option, and the new Helical Fiber Solver 1.

EME mode convergence sweeping tool (MODE Solutions)
The convergence test for the number of eigenmodes required in an eigenmode expansion simulation can now be done very efficiently with the new mode convergence sweep tool, where the modes have to be calculated only once for the desired maximum number of modes. For more information about testing the EME mode convergence, see this page.

New script commands
zbfexport 1, zbfload, zbfread, zbfwrite

INTERCONNECT 7.0

Improved Simulation and Design Environment

• The schematic editor now support connecting elements by overlapping ports or moving them close to each other, facilitating the process of creating new circuits and systems.

• Users can now export a SPICE library file directly from the custom folder, facilitating the process of publishing compact model libraries (CMLs) with library support.

• Port label located at the top or bottom of an element now have vertical orientation.

• INTERCONNECT now supports parallel sweeps and optimizations. Jobs can be split into several processes in your local computer, or be send to be send to several computers in your local network, reducing the time to complete parameter sweeps and optimizations.

• To minimize the overlap between connections, a new routing algorithm was developed. In combinations with using rounded corners for analyzer connections and smaller icons, the improved schematic editor provides a better view of complex circuits and systems.

• Inserting nodes into existing electrical connections are now optional.

• The updated property system now allows for changing properties on multiple selected objects.

• In design mode, editing a property no longer requires double-clicking on it. In analysis mode, double- clicking on a property prompts the user to switch to design mode.

• Double-clicking on a result now automatically opens a new visualizer.

Extended Element Library

• A new Transimpedance Amplifier supporting user defined transimpedance gain (analytical or s-parameters) with optional differential output configuration allows for the design of high speed optical transceivers. Supporting elements include an Electrical Limiter and an Electrical Subtractor.

  • For implementation details of this model, please visit the KB page Transimpedance Amplifier.

• A Bidirectional Two Port Terminal DC and a Ground source were added to the library to facilitate the design and simulation of bidirectional electrical circuits.

• A new Electrical Time Variant S-Parameter element allows for the definition of time dependent transfer functions, enabling the modeling components such as frequency, voltage or current dependent electrical modulators and filters.

  • For implementation details of this model, please visit the KB page Electrical Time Variant S-Parameter.

• The new equalizer library offers elements that attempt to mitigate intersymbol interference (ISI) and improve receiver performance. The Decision Feedback Equalizer (DFE) uses a least mean square (LMS) algorithm to optimize the equalizer filter coefficients, and it can also work as a feedforward equalizer (FFE) element. The Maximum-Likelihood Sequence Estimation (MLSE) equalizer operates using a maximum likelihood sequence estimation based on the Viterbi algorithm. Both equalizers support symbol or fractional space configurations.

  • For implementation details of these models, please visit the KB page Decision Feedback Equalizer and Maximum-Likelihood Squence Estimation.
  • For application example of this model, please visit the KB pages Equalizers.

• Based on a tapped delay line, the new Digital Filter element complements the equalizers library. The filter works as an analog FIR or IIR filter.

• The new Polarization Analyzer generates frequency or wavelength depended Stokes parameters, azimuth and ellipticity. Differential Group Delay (DGD) and Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) are calculated using interferometric, wavelength scanning, and Jones matrix eigenanalysis measurement methods. It also generated Jones matrix outputs supporting different file formats.

• The new Carrier Analyzer measures signal power and noise for different carrier frequencies. The analyzer offers automatic peak detection to find the carrier frequencies, or the user can enter a table with frequency values. It also supports an optional reference input port, enabling the calculation of gain and noise figure automatically.

• The new Optical Fiber element solves a system of coupled nonlinear Schrodinger describing the vectorial nonlinear dispersive propagation of orthogonal optical signals in the fiber. The element supports group velocity dispersion (GVD), polarization mode dispersion (PMD), self-phase modulation (SPM), cross-phase modulation (XPM), four-wave mixing (FWM) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) effects. It allows for unidirectional and bidirectional configurations.

  • For implementation details of this model, please visit the KB page Optical Fiber (element page).
  • For application example of this model, please visit the KB pages Optical Fiber 1 (application example).

• The new Erbium Doped Fiber (EDF) element allows for the design and simulation of bidirectional fiber amplifiers with arbitrary pump configurations. The element supports amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), gain saturation, doping concentration and solubility, waveguide loss, mode overlap, co-operative up-conversion effects.

  • For implementation details of this model, please visit the KB page Erbium Doped Fiber.
  • For application example of this model, please visit the KB pages Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier.

• A new carrier generator allows for defining multiple carrier frequencies, facilitating the design and simulation of microwave optical systems.

• Default unidirectional elements are now available in the element library. Users can easily filter elements by signal type (optical, electrical or digital) or configuration (unidirectional or bidirectional).

Enhanced Element Library

• Element library was updated to support automatic fitting of digital filter coefficients (FIR and IIR), allowing for convenient setup and accurate simulation of frequency dependent complex transmission s-parameters in time domain. The new IIR filter fitting functionality allows for the directly fit of the required time-domain filter impulse response spectrum to an arbitrarily shaped s-parameter curve in such a manner that the quality of the fit is excellent over the required simulation bandwidth.

• The Traveling Wave Laser Model now supports direct load and fitting of user defined gain shapes, facilitating the process of creating and distributing compact model libraries. Fitting is automatically perfumed with minimum user interaction.

• Elements that process In-phase and In-quadrature electrical signals now include a configuration property, where the use can select between single and dual port configurations, avoiding the need to connect the In-Quadrature port when not required, e.g. PAM modulation.

• A Minimum Amplitude property was added to the electrical signal analyzers. Values bellow this value are set to zero, filtering numerical noise.

• A new parameter in the Optical Channel Analyzer allows for automatic detection of frequency channels or user defined. If user defined is selected, the user can enter the list of channels for analysis, such as standard frequency grids.

• The Data Recovery element now include an internal quantizer, supporting not only binary signals, but also signals with arbitrary number of levels.

• The Electrical Amplifier element was extended to support nonlinear behavior. New properties include power saturation, power at the 1-dB compression point and third-order intercept point.

  • For implementation details of this model, please visit the KB page Electrical Amplifier.

• Elements that load s-parameters from a Touchstone file can now select between using engineering or physics convention for the s-parameter phase values.

• The Network Analyzer data export feature was extended to allow exporting of digital filter coefficients calculated from the s-parameters, including their inverted response.

• The optical and electrical spectrum analyzers now support spectrogram plots, enabling the analysis of signal chirp and noise filtering.

• The Scripted Element user defined functions ‘setup’, ‘go’, ‘ready’ and ‘wrapup’ are now element properties, allowing for direct access to these functions.

• The new configuration property of optical s-parameter elements allows for defining if the element is fully bidirectional or it the port configuration (input, output or bidirectional) depends on its s-parameters.

• To address the design and testing challenges of multi-level signaling techniques like PAM4, the Eye Diagram analyzer now includes multilevel analysis. The multi-level analysis allows for automatic measurements on eye diagrams that have multiple distinct vertical openings.

• In addition to frequency depended attenuation, effective index, group velocity and dispersion, the list of waveguide propagation properties supported by the Optical N Port Propagation Parameter element was extended to include dispersion slope.

• The Travelling Wave Electrode element now support frequency dependent microwave index and complex impedance values. The microwave loss property was also extended to support a table with frequency dependent values, adding more flexibility in specifying the Travelling Wave Electrode and the Microwave Loss elements behavior.

New and Enhanced Script Commands
ispropertyactive, setfir, setiir, exportlib, runjobs, clearjobs, addjob, annotateproperty, hideproperty, hidecategory,getvariable, setsparameter, renameport, removecustom