Extensions to the Chatoyant O/E CAD Framework for Modeling Micro-Opto-Electronic Systems

nia, San Diego. The tool has been extensively used to design and simulate free space opto-electronic interconnect systems.[1] Chatoyant is capable of performing end-to-end system simulations, with analyses including bit error rate (BER), insertion loss, cross talk, and mechanical tolerancing. Chatoyant’s optical library includes sources (VCSELs and MQW modulators), optical components (lenses, lenslets, mirrors, apertures, etc.), as well as optical detectors. Opto-electronic signals are modeled using piece-wise linear discrete event techniques providing user control for accuracy and computation time. Until recently, Chatoyant has modeled light using only ray and Gaussian beam propagation methods. However, with the desire to analyze micro-optical systems, where the light’s wavelengths and the system’s physical dimensions are on the same scale, we have extended Chatoyant’s capabilities in two ways. First, we introduced modeling techniques for diffractive optics. This allows the use of diffractive models in cases where Gaussian approximations are not valid. Fresnel propagation equations are used for the scalar modeling of light, since we desire to calculate the complex wave function in both the near and far field.[2] An additional requirement emphasized by these microsystems is support for automatic tolerancing on the precise alignment required for desired operation. Therefore, we have also implemented a Monte Carlo tolerancing package within Chatoyant to determine worst case mechanical tolerancing and sensitivity.