Photonic IC Design

This course offers a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience that guides students through the complete Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) design flow. The curriculum covers each phase of the design process, from schematic capture and simulation to layout creation and signoff verification. Students will also gain experience using Synopsys OptoCompiler to build parameterized, reusable design libraries and construct hierarchical schematics suitable for advanced simulations. Throughout the course, students will analyze optical performance using PrimeWave and OptSim, execute layout implementation, and ensure design quality with DRC and LVS. The program further introduces electro optical co design through PrimeSim SPICE and OptSim co simulation within a unified platform.

By the end of this course, students will be able to translate system requirements into a well structured design plan and independently navigate the full PIC development workflow. They will develop the ability to create reusable design libraries, build hierarchical simulation ready schematics, and optimize circuit behavior. Students will also be capable of setting up PrimeWave testbenches and conducting various OptSim analyses—including steady state, transient, frequency domain, and eye/BER evaluations—to verify optical system performance. In addition, students will acquire the skills needed to implement layouts with seamless connectivity, and resolve issues identified through DRC and LVS. They will learn to realize electro optical co design using PrimeSim SPICE and OptSim, allowing them to assess key electrical and optical performance metrics under different corner and parasitic conditions.