Evolutionary Multi-Objective Optimisation of Colour Pixels based on Dielectric Nano-Antennas

TL;DR

This paper introduces an evolutionary multi-objective optimization method combined with electro-dynamical simulations to design silicon nanostructures with tailored optical properties, achieving precise control over resonant wavelengths and polarization.

Contribution

It presents a novel computational approach integrating evolutionary algorithms with frequency-domain simulations for multi-objective nanostructure design.

Findings

Optimized nanostructures match targeted optical spectra.

The method is adaptable to various constraints and objectives.

Fabricated pixels confirm the accuracy of the design process.

Abstract

The rational design of photonic nanostructures consists in anticipating their optical response from simple models or as variations of reference systems. This strategy is limited when different objectives are simultaneously targeted. Inspired from biology, evolutionary approaches drive the morphology of a nano-object towards an optimum through several cycles of selection, mutation and cross-over, mimicking the process of natural selection. However, their extension to scenarii with multiple objectives demands efficient computational schemes. We present a numerical technique to design photonic nanostructures with optical properties optimized along several arbitrary objectives. This combination of evolutionary multi-objective algorithms with frequency-domain electro-dynamical simulations is used to design silicon nanostructures resonant at user-defined, polarization-dependent wavelengths. The spectra of pixels fabricated by electron beam lithography following the optimized design show excellent agreement with the targeted objectives. The method is self-adaptive to arbitrary constraints, and therefore particularly interesting for the design of complex structures within technological limits.