Using the Finite Difference Time Domain Method as a Design Tool

Abstract

The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method has been shown in the last several years to be applicable to guided-wave photonics problems. The application of the method to diffraction gratings, intersecting and bending wave-guides [1], and Bragg mirrors has served to demonstrate that method can solve a set of problems not tractable for more traditional techniques such as the beam propagation method. Although these papers have served to demonstrate the applicability of the FDTD technique, few papers have described the use of the FDTD analysis in a design environment.