Photon Design to show simulator innovations at SPIE
Photon Design, a developer of photonic simulation CAD software, will exhibit its latest innovations at SPIE Photonics West Exhibition from 20–22 January 2026, in San Francisco.
The company will feature its full simulation suite and present new developments in its EigenMode Expansion, EME-based tools: MT-FIMMPROP, HAROLD (QD), and EPIPPROP.
Dominic Gallagher, CEO of Photon Design, said: “The Multi-Topology (MT)-FIMMPROP simulator supports the development of pioneering TFLN Mach-Zehnder Modulator (MZM) designs for high-data-rate photonics applications. The FIMMPROP environment enables native design of MZMs; models the phase-switching response to voltage; and facilitates straightforward GDS-II export. When combined with our PICWave circuit simulator, a traveling wave electrode model can be produced to show the full modulation response.
“The newly launched HAROLD (QD) quantum dot simulator is designed to create epitaxy structures for QD lasers and is already widely used in both industrial and academic projects. QD lasers provide reliable operation at high temperatures with advantages in modulation, data transmission, heat reduction, and power efficiency—all crucial for next-generation data centers, AI, and HPC applications. HAROLD provides fast QD laser simulation but also allows for comprehensive 3D laser design, when used alongside the PICWave simulator. In addition, it can assist in silicon modulator design, which represents an entirely novel application.
“Photon Design's next-generation, EPIPPROP simulator, will offer the flexibility to split waveguides, simulating this process throughout Arrayed Waveguide Gratings (AWGs). This feature is particularly useful for polarization-sensitive designs, significantly reducing the time required for users working with these precise methods.”
Photon Design says its EME processing enables rapid, 3D simulations on a standard laptop within minutes, supporting design engineers’ iterative laser design processes. In contrast, industry-standard FDTD simulators can take hours to process and often require expensive cloud resources.
