Abstract:

We developed several global optimizers based on genetic algorithms and evolutionary strategies, which allow a deeper understanding and a better design of the underlying nanophotonic structures. Design examples are provided such as photonic crystal based waveguides, filters, and plasmonic nanoshell structures for enhanced scattering and absorption applications. Our studies show that the proposed optimization schemes are well suited for numerical structural optimization of nanophotonic components especially when conventional design rules fail or, moreover, when there is not much prior design knowledge available.