Applications
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Dinosaur Photonic Crystal Cavity Interfaces for Color Center Coupling to Triangular Nanostructures
The authors introduced and optimized 'Dinosaur' photonic crystal cavities with triangular cross-sections to create efficient spin-photon interfaces for quantum information applications. JCMsuite was used to perform finite element method simulations for computing cavity eigenmodes, quality factors, and mode volumes. Its integrated Bayesian optimization toolkit was employed to maximize the cavity quality factor, and scattering simulations were conducted to determine the waveguide coupling efficiency of the designed structures.
Julian M. Bopp, et al. Dinosaur Photonic Crystal Cavity Interfaces for Color Center Coupling to Triangular Nanostructures. arXiv:2510.26335 (2025).
2025 DOI Publication link
photonic crystals, quantum optics, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation, Optimization and Parameter Retrieval Methods, Resonance Mode Computation
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Efficient computation of thermal radiation from biperiodic layered systems using the T‑matrix method
This work presents a T‑matrix‑based method for efficiently computing angle‑ and polarization‑resolved thermal emission from metasurfaces. The T‑matrices of individual meta‑atoms were computed using JCMsuite’s finite‑element solver, providing accurate reference data for the scattering response. These pre‑computed T‑matrices were then employed in the treams library to rapidly evaluate thermal emissivity for many lattice configurations, radiation directions, and polarizations, demonstrating a significant speed‑up compared to conventional RCWA or full FEM approaches.
M. Gabbert, et al. Efficient computation of thermal radiation from biperiodic layered systems using the T‑matrix method. arXiv:2508.11590 (2025).
2025 DOI Publication link
Light Sources, Metamaterials, optical chirality, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation
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Hybrid approach to reconstruct nanoscale grating dimensions using scattering and fluorescence with soft X-rays
This work demonstrates a hybrid metrology technique combining soft X-ray scattering and fluorescence to reconstruct the dimensions of a silicon nitride nanoscale grating with high accuracy. To solve the inverse problem, the electric field strength of the standing wave field within the grating was calculated using JCMsuite’s finite element method solver. These near-field calculations were then used to compute diffraction efficiencies and fluorescence intensities, which were fitted to experimental data via an optimization process to determine the grating profile parameters.
L. M. Lohr, et al. Hybrid approach to reconstruct nanoscale grating dimensions using scattering and fluorescence with soft X-rays. Nanoscale, 17, 6017 (2025).
2025 DOI Publication link
Optical Metrology and Sensing, Optical and EUV Lithography, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation, Optimization and Parameter Retrieval Methods
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Investigation of Ti nanostructures via laboratory scanning-free GEXRF
This work demonstrates the non-destructive characterization of periodic TiO₂ nanogratings using laboratory-based scanning-free grazing-emission X-ray fluorescence (GEXRF) in the tender X-ray range. The angularly resolved fluorescence emission patterns were simulated using the finite-element Maxwell solver from JCMwave to model the electric field distribution and X-ray standing wave effects within the nanostructures. JCMsuite was essential for both validating the measured data against known sample parameters and performing a Bayesian-optimized reconstruction of the nanograting geometry from the experimental GEXRF maps.
S. Staeck, et al. Investigation of Ti nanostructures via laboratory scanning-free GEXRF. Nanoscale, 17, 3411 (2025).
2025 DOI Publication link
Optical Metrology and Sensing, diffractive optics, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation, Optimization and Parameter Retrieval Methods
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On-chip twisted hollow-core light cages: enhancing planar photonics with 3D nanoprinting
This work introduces the concept of 3D-nanoprinted, on-chip twisted hollow-core light cages, which are novel integrated chiral waveguides. To analyze their optical properties and the origin of their strong circular dichroism, the modes of the infinitely extended twisted waveguide were calculated using the finite element method (FEM) in the helicoidal coordinate frame. These simulations were performed with JCMsuite, which natively supports calculations in helicoidal coordinates, allowing the authors to investigate twist-induced resonances and angular momentum coupling based on the waveguide's 2D cross-section.
J. Bürger, et al. On-chip twisted hollow-core light cages: enhancing planar photonics with 3D nanoprinting. Adv. Photonics, 7, 046002 (2025).
2025 DOI Publication link
Optical Metrology and Sensing, integrated optics, optical chirality, optical resonators and antennas, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Resonance Mode Computation
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Scalar product for the radiation of resonant modes
The authors propose a new cross-energy scalar product to normalize and compare resonant (quasi-normal) modes of optical resonators using their radiation fields. This method avoids the complications of divergent modal fields outside the resonator. The theory is applied to whispering gallery modes in a disk resonator, where JCMsuite's finite element method solver was used to compute the complex eigenfrequencies and spatial field profiles of the resonant modes, which are essential for evaluating the proposed scalar product.
M. Paszkiewicz-Idzik, et al. Scalar product for the radiation of resonant modes. Phys. Rev. A 112, 013518 (2025).
2025 DOI Publication link
Optical Metrology and Sensing, integrated optics, optical resonators and antennas, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Resonance Mode Computation
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TFLN channel waveguides of rib and strip type: properties of guided modes
This study provides a comprehensive modal analysis of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) channel waveguides with rib and strip geometries, considering various crystal cuts (X-cut and Z-cut) and on-chip orientations. The finite-element solver in JCMsuite was used to rigorously compute the guided modes, taking full account of the material anisotropy and complex permittivity tensors. The software enabled extensive parameter scans to reveal modal effective indices, symmetry classes, polarization properties, and hybridization effects critical for integrated photonic device design.
M. Hammer, et al. TFLN channel waveguides of rib and strip type: properties of guided modes. Opt. Continuum 4, 2356 (2025).
2025 DOI Publication link
Photonic Waveguides and Fibers, integrated optics, nonlinear optics, quantum optics, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation, Propagation Mode Computation
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Generalized Petermann factor of non-Hermitian systems at exceptional points
This theoretical and numerical study generalizes the Petermann factor, a measure of mode nonorthogonality, to systems operating at exceptional points (EPs) in non-Hermitian physics. To demonstrate and verify the developed theory, the authors perform full-wave finite element simulations of a realistic photonic system consisting of two microrings coupled to a waveguide with embedded mirrors. The software JCMsuite was used for these numerical simulations to compute the complex eigenfrequencies and mode patterns, and to extract the spectral response strength at the EP.
J. Kullig, et al. Generalized Petermann factor of non-Hermitian systems at exceptional points. arXiv:2506.15807v2 (2025).
2025 DOI Publication link
Optical Metrology and Sensing, optical resonators and antennas, plasmonics, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation
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Storage of single photons from a semiconductor quantum dot in a room-temperature atomic vapor memory with on-demand retrieval
This work demonstrates the on-demand storage and retrieval of single photons from an InGaAs quantum dot (QD) in a cesium vapor memory. A key challenge was optimizing the interface between the solid-state single-photon source and the atomic system. The team used JCMsuite's finite element method to numerically design and optimize a hybrid circular Bragg grating cavity, which enhanced the QD's photon extraction efficiency and far-field profile for efficient coupling to the memory.
B. Maaß, et al. Storage of single photons from a semiconductor quantum dot in a room-temperature atomic vapor memory with on-demand retrieval. Quantum Sci. Technol. 10, 035058 (2025).
2025 DOI Publication link
Light Sources, optical resonators and antennas, quantum optics, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation
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Ultrathin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells: enhanced absorption by nanotextured functional back contacts
This study experimentally and numerically investigates a light management strategy to enhance the absorption of ultrathin CIGSe solar cells using a functional back contact with SiO2 nanostructure scatterers and a gold reflector. JCMsuite was used for detailed optical simulations. These simulations were crucial for understanding the complex light-trapping effects, optimizing the nanostructure geometry, and corroborating the experimental external quantum efficiency trends.
M. Demir et al. Ultrathin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells: enhanced absorption by nanotextured functional back contacts. J. Phys. Energy 7, 045003 (2025).
2025 DOI Publication link
Photovoltaics, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation
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Bright Electrically Contacted Circular Bragg Grating Resonators with Deterministically Integrated Quantum Dots
This work presents the design and implementation of electrically contacted circular Bragg grating (CBG) resonators for cavity-enhanced quantum dot (QD) single-photon sources. The authors used the finite-element solver JCMsuite for full three-dimensional numerical simulations to model and optimize the photon extraction efficiency (PEE) of their novel ridge-based CBG designs. Furthermore, a Bayesian optimization algorithm within the JCMsuite framework was employed to determine the optimal device geometry parameters, such as ring widths, mesa radius, and ridge width, to maximize optical performance.
S. Wijitpatima, et al. Bright Electrically Contacted Circular Bragg Grating Resonators with Deterministically Integrated Quantum Dots. ACS Nano, 18, 31834 (2024).
2024 DOI Publication link
Light Sources, optical resonators and antennas, quantum optics, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation, Optimization and Parameter Retrieval Methods
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Bulk-suppressed and surface-sensitive Raman scattering by transferable plasmonic membranes with irregular slot-shaped nanopores
This work demonstrates a method to enhance the Raman signal from surfaces and thin films while suppressing interfering signals from the underlying bulk material using a transferable porous gold membrane (PAuM). JCMwave's finite element solver JCMsuite was used to numerically simulate the near-field enhancement and scattering properties of the plasmonic slot antennas within the PAuM. These simulations, analyzing nanostructures like a 10 nm x 68 nm slot, were crucial for understanding the enhancement mechanism and predicting the exponential decay of the Raman signal with distance from the surface.
R. M. Wyss, et al. Bulk-suppressed and surface-sensitive Raman scattering by transferable plasmonic membranes with irregular slot-shaped nanopores. Nat. Commun., 15, 5236 (2024).
2024 DOI Publication link
Optical Metrology and Sensing, plasmonics, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation
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Introduction and application of a new approach for model-based optical bidirectional measurements
A new model-based evaluation method for optical bidirectional measurements, such as linewidth determination on micro- and nanostructures, was developed. JCMsuite's rigorous finite element method (FEM) solver was used to simulate the microscope imaging process, incorporating a modified Hopkins' approximation for computational efficiency. The simulated and measured intensity profiles were compared within a Bayesian Target Vector Optimization (BTVO) framework, also provided by JCMwave, to reconstruct the linewidth and other parameters with high accuracy.
J. Krüger, et al. Introduction and application of a new approach for model-based optical bidirectional measurements. Meas. Sci. Technol., 35, 085014 (2024).
2024 DOI Publication link
Optical Metrology and Sensing, Optical and EUV Lithography, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Optimization and Parameter Retrieval Methods
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Self-Aligned Photonic Defect Microcavity Lasers with Site-Controlled Quantum Dots
Researchers presented a novel, self-aligned method to fabricate strain-induced site-controlled microcavities (SCMs) and quantum dots (QDs), eliminating the need for any post-growth lithography. To investigate the optical properties of these microcavities, 3D electromagnetic simulations were performed using JCMsuite. These simulations were crucial for modeling the complex cavity geometry, calculating the fundamental optical mode, and extracting key parameters such as the theoretical Q-factor and mode volume.
C.-W. Shih, et al. Self-Aligned Photonic Defect Microcavity Lasers with Site-Controlled Quantum Dots. Laser Photonics Rev. 18, 2301242 (2024).
2024 DOI Publication link
Light Sources, optical resonators and antennas, quantum optics, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation
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A Digital Twin for a Chiral Sensing Platform
A digital twin for a nanophotonically enhanced chiral sensing platform was developed to predict and analyze circular dichroism (CD) measurements. The platform uses helicity-preserving optical cavities to significantly enhance the weak CD signal of chiral molecules. JCMsuite's finite element method solver was used to compute the T-matrices of the nanostructured cavity components, which are essential for the fast and efficient simulation of the entire system's optical response.
M. Nyman, et al. A Digital Twin for a Chiral Sensing Platform. Laser Photon. Rev. 18, 2300967 (2024).
2024 DOI Publication link
Metamaterials, Optical Metrology and Sensing, optical chirality, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation
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A tiny Drude scatterer can accurately model a coherent emitter in nanophotonics
This work introduces a new method to model Fourier-limited two-level systems (TLS), or coherent emitters, within classical Maxwell solvers. The authors represent an individual emitter as a tiny, resonant spherical scatterer made from an artificial Drude metal, which naturally reproduces the ideal scattering cross-section and adapts to the local density of states. JCMsuite was used for all finite element method (FEM) simulations to solve Maxwell's equations and benchmark the proposed model against known examples from the literature, including scattering from hybrid systems and the Purcell effect.
F. Binkowski, S. Burger and G. Kewes. A tiny Drude scatterer can accurately model a coherent emitter in nanophotonics. Nanophotonics, 13, 4537–4543 (2024).
2024 DOI Publication link
optical resonators and antennas, plasmonics, quantum optics, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation
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Chiral plasmonic metasurface assembled by DNA origami
This work explores the fabrication of a chiral plasmonic metasurface using bottom-up DNA origami technology to achieve strong circular dichroism (CD). The optical properties of the chiral metamolecule — a tripod decorated with gold nanorods — were simulated and optimized with JCMsuite. The software enabled full-wave finite-element calculations to retrieve the T-matrix, compute orientation-averaged CD spectra, and assess the feasibility of the metasurface design.
N. Gieseler, et al. Chiral plasmonic metasurface assembled by DNA origami. Opt. Express, 32, 16040 (2024).
2024 DOI Publication link
Metamaterials, Optical Metrology and Sensing, optical chirality, plasmonics, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation
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Estimation of losses caused by sidewall roughness in thin-film lithium niobate rib and strip waveguides
Optical propagation losses in thin-film lithium niobate waveguides are measured using the Fabry-Pérot method. A perturbational model attributing losses to sidewall roughness is developed to predict attenuation for different waveguide geometries. The finite-element solver in JCMsuite is used to rigorously compute the guided mode profiles of the idealized, lossless waveguides, which are essential for the loss estimation procedure.
M. Hammer, et al. Estimation of losses caused by sidewall roughness in thin-film lithium niobate rib and strip waveguides. Opt. Express, 32, 22878 (2024).
2024 DOI Publication link
Photonic Waveguides and Fibers, integrated optics, nonlinear optics, quantum optics, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation, Propagation Mode Computation
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Mixed noise and posterior estimation with conditional deepGEM
This work develops an expectation-maximization algorithm for jointly estimating posterior distributions and mixed (additive and multiplicative Gaussian) noise parameters in Bayesian inverse problems. The authors apply their method to real-world applications in nanometrology, specifically EUV scatterometry for characterizing nanostructures. JCMsuite was used to simulate the complex optical forward model (solving Maxwell's equations) for a line grating with an oxide layer, generating the data necessary to train and validate their proposed deep learning framework.
P. Hagemann, et al. Mixed noise and posterior estimation with conditional deepGEM. Mach. Learn.: Sci. Technol. 5, 035001 (2024).
2024 DOI Publication link
Optical Metrology and Sensing, software benchmarks, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Optimization and Parameter Retrieval Methods, Uncertainty Quantification Methods
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Numerical Investigation of a Coupled Micropillar – Waveguide System for Integrated Quantum Photonic Circuits
This work presents the numerical design and optimization of a monolithic, on-chip single-photon source. The source consists of a whispering-gallery-mode micropillar laser evanescently coupled to a ridge waveguide containing a single quantum dot. The FEM solver JCMsuite was used to perform eigenmode and scattering simulations to optimize the device geometry, analyzing the impact of parameters like the pillar-waveguide gap distance and waveguide width on the coupling efficiency and resonator quality factor.
L. J. Roche, et al. Numerical Investigation of a Coupled Micropillar – Waveguide System for Integrated Quantum Photonic Circuits. Adv. Quantum Technol., 7, 2400195 (2024).
2024 DOI Publication link
Light Sources, integrated optics, optical resonators and antennas, quantum optics, Advanced Finite Element Methods, Light Scattering Computation, Resonance Mode Computation