This video is taken from the INT 100 course on Ansys Innovation Courses.
Transcript
In this unit we will briefly discuss the importance of foundry libraries in the photonic integrated
circuit design process.
When it comes to designing and fabricating a photonic integrated circuit, the designer
must first choose a foundry to work with.
The foundry will typically provide a Photonic process design kit (PDK) to the designer.
The PDK is the foundation of the design tool workflow for integrated circuit design, providing
design rules, material definition, component geometry, and simulation models to ensure
first-time-right designs.
The compact model library or CML that comes with the PDK is a set of advanced frequency-
and time-domain models calibrated against foundry-supplied performance data and process
parameters.
The calibrated CML enables designers to accurately prototype complex photonic integrated circuit design to assess circuit
performance, yield and reliability prior to manufacturing.
Lumerical works closely with foundries to develop, maintain, and improve Compact Model
Libraries (CML) for their specific process design kits (PDK).
See below for a list of foundries that provide Lumerical CMLs with their PDKs.
More CMLs will soon become available from other photonic foundries as well.
In order to protect their IP, foundries typically use the Protected+ distribution model to publish
their CMLs.
Using a Protected+ CML requires a special (foundry specific) CML Reader license.
The circuit designer therefore needs to get the CML from the foundry and the corresponding
reader license from Lumerical to use the CML in their circuit design.
Without the reader license the compact models can't be used in any INTERCONNECT simulations.