Photon Design Ltd., the global leader in photonic simulation CAD software, now provides a market-leading, PCSEL and PCL design solution for laser designers, by using a combination of its HAROLD and OmniSim, simulation tools. PCSELs (Photonic Crystal Surface-Emitting Lasers) and PCLs (Photonic Crystal Lasers) are rapidly becoming the first choice of laser for high-power, coherent applications in fast-growing markets, such as optical communications, sensing, and material processing. They have complex crystal structures that are challenging to model, but which are now made possible, entirely within Photon Design’s simulation tool portfolio. 

Dr. Dominic Gallagher, CEO of Photon Design, said, “Engineers designing PCSELs and PCLs can use Photon Design’s HAROLD to simulate gain spectra in epitaxy structures. OmniSim, our FDTD-based, Dynamic Gain modeller, then simulates pulsed laser light propagation, over time, through the laser crystal lattice, including the effect of power.

“OmniSim’s Dynamic Gain modeller is new. Its Band Analyser provides band diagrams for photonic crystals, enabling designers to tune the laser structure to the desired wavelength, optimising the lattice, atoms and cavities in the structure using our Kallistos simulator. Finally, active FDTD simulations provide the operating wavelength and linewidth of the laser, which our Q-factor calculator produces at up to 85% quicker than the conventional, Fourier transform method, with equivalent levels of accuracy.”

Photon Design is now a leader in PCSEL design with its HAROLD and OmniSim, simulation tools. Existing HAROLD users need only add OmniSim to begin designing crystal lasers.