Simulation of micro/nanometer-scale self-organized lightwave network (SOLNET) using the finite difference time domain method

Abstract

A simulator for self-organized lightwave network (SOLNET) is developed. The simulator is based on the finite difference time domain method. SOLNET enables us to construct self-aligned coupling waveguides between misaligned micro/nanometer-scale optical devices by self-focusing, which arises from an increase in refractive index induced by write beams in photo-refractive materials. The SOLNET simulator reveals that an L-shaped nanometer-scale optical waveguide of SOLNET is grown from a 0.5-μm-wide optical waveguide when write beams are introduced from the optical waveguide into photo-refractive materials, where a wavelength filter is embedded. The SOLNET simulator also reproduces coupling path construction between a 2-μm-wide optical waveguide and a 0.5-μm-wide optical waveguide having a wavelength filter on the core edge. The optical waveguides are placed with misalignment of 0.5-μm offset. By introducing write beams from the 2-μm-wide optical waveguide, the incident write beams and reflected write beams from the wavelength filter merge into one optical waveguide in the photo-refractive materials, constructing a self-aligned coupling waveguide.