Generating novel waveguides for stimulated Brillouin scattering with genetic algorithms

Abstract

Over the last few years, there has been rapid development in demonstrating stimulated Brillouin scattering in chip-integrated optical waveguides. Most of the work has focused on finding good materials for achieving net gain, however, rather than on exploring novel waveguide designs. In this paper, we have used genetic algorithms to explore a wide range of possible waveguide shapes to achieve high gain in silicon and silicon oxide based integrated platforms. The result is a range of novel waveguide designs operating over a wide range of mechanical frequencies. Several of the waveguides found have a simulated gain in excess of 108 (Wm)−1, far above anything previously demonstrated.