HiLAB: A Hybrid Inverse-Design Framework

TL;DR

HiLAB introduces a hybrid inverse-design framework combining topological optimization, a variational autoencoder, and Bayesian search to efficiently design nanophotonic devices with fewer simulations and higher robustness.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel inverse-design paradigm that integrates multiple optimization techniques and machine learning to improve design efficiency and versatility in nanophotonics.

Findings

Reduces total electromagnetic simulations by over an order of magnitude.

Successfully designs an achromatic beam deflector with high efficiency.

Systematically explores near-global optima for robust device performance.

Abstract

HiLAB (Hybrid inverse-design with Latent-space learning, Adjoint-based partial optimizations, and Bayesian optimization) is a new paradigm for inverse design of nanophotonic structures. Combining early-terminated topological optimization (TO) with a Vision Transformer-based variational autoencoder (VAE) and a Bayesian search, HiLAB addresses multi-functional device design by generating diverse freeform configurations at reduced simulation costs. Shortened adjoint-driven TO runs, coupled with randomized physical parameters, produce robust initial structures. These structures are compressed into a compact latent space by the VAE, enabling Bayesian optimization to co-optimize geometry and physical hyperparameters. Crucially, the trained VAE can be reused for alternative objectives or constraints by adjusting only the acquisition function. Compared to conventional TO pipelines prone to local optima, HiLAB systematically explores near-global optima with considerably fewer electromagnetic simulations. Even after accounting for training overhead, the total number of full simulations decreases by over an order of magnitude, accelerating the discovery of fabrication-friendly devices. Demonstrating its efficacy, HiLAB is used to design an achromatic beam deflector for red, green, and blue wavelengths, achieving balanced diffraction efficiencies of ~25% while mitigating chromatic aberrations-a performance surpassing existing demonstrations. Overall, HiLAB provides a flexible platform for robust, multi-parameter photonic designs and rapid adaptation to next-generation nanophotonic challenges.