From finite element modeling to solitons

21-24 October 2024

Within the scope of the MicrocombSys-DN project, SOLIFEM is a comprehensive 4-day workshop organized by EPFL, Switzerland. This workshop is specifically designed to train and connect young PhD students from various European universities working in the cutting-edge field of optical frequency combs in integrated photonics, also known as microcombs. Participants will explore the world of microresonator frequency combs, with a primary focus on understanding the fundamentals of dissipative Kerr soliton generation and photonic design concepts for microresonators. Each part of the workshop is designed to provide not only in-depth knowledge through lectures, but also extensive hands-on step-by-step sessions where participants can implement the techniques using various software tools common in the photonic community. The workshop will be led by experienced EPFL students and postdocs, who will guide and support participants throughout the practical sessions, ensuring a thorough and immersive learning experience.

The workshop offers a balanced mix of theoretical lectures and hands-on sessions. Participants will begin with an overview of soliton formation theory to grasp the basic principles of the subject. This is followed by numerical analysis of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, which is crucial to understanding soliton formation. Students will then engage in FEM simulations of optical modes in integrated waveguides for dispersion engineering, which is essential for optimizing the performance of microresonators. Subsequent sessions will cover FDTD simulations for optical coupling, addressing coupling ideality, and considerations of mode mixing effects. In the final stage of the workshop, participants will gain practical experience by analyzing real data from pre-fabricated and characterized microresonators.

Organizer:

Prof. Tobias J. Kippenberg (EPFL)
Laboratory of Photonics and Quantum Measurements

This project has received funding from the European Union under Horizon Europe 2021-2027 Framework Programme Grant Agreement number 101119968, as well as from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and lnnovation (SERI).