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photonic ¤

Photonic components for optical circuit simulation.

All wavelength parameters are in nanometres and power in watts.

Functions:

Name Description
DirectionalCoupler

4-port directional coupler (2×2 beamsplitter) with configurable power split ratio.

Grating

Grating coupler with Gaussian wavelength-dependent insertion loss.

OpticalSource

Ideal CW optical source for DC and small-signal AC analysis.

OpticalSourcePulse

Time-dependent optical source with a sigmoid turn-on profile.

OpticalWaveguide

Single-mode waveguide with first-order dispersion and propagation loss.

Splitter

Lossless asymmetric optical splitter (Y-junction) with a configurable power split ratio.

TunableBeamSplitter

Ideal lossless 2×2 directional coupler with a variable coupling angle.

DirectionalCoupler ¤

DirectionalCoupler(signals: Signals, s: States, coupling: float = 0.5) -> PhysicsReturn

4-port directional coupler (2×2 beamsplitter) with configurable power split ratio.

Ports p1/p2 are the input ports; p3/p4 are the output ports. Signal entering p1 exits at p3 (bar, amplitude t) and p4 (cross, amplitude jk). Signal entering p2 exits at p3 (cross, jk) and p4 (bar, t).

S-matrix::

S = [[0,    0,    t,    jk  ],
     [0,    0,    jk,   t   ],
     [t,    jk,   0,    0   ],
     [jk,   t,    0,    0   ]]

where t = sqrt(1 - coupling), k = sqrt(coupling).

.. note:: coupling is clipped to (1e-6, 1−1e-6) to prevent I + S from becoming singular at the degenerate all-through (coupling=0) and all-cross (coupling=1) operating points where the S-matrix has an eigenvalue of −1.

Parameters:

Name Type Description Default
signals Signals

Field amplitudes at all four ports.

required
s States

Unused.

required
coupling float

Power fraction routed to the cross port (p4 for p1 input, p3 for p2 input). Defaults to 0.5 (50/50 splitter).

0.5
Source code in circulax/components/photonic.py
@component(ports=("p1", "p2", "p3", "p4"))
def DirectionalCoupler(
    signals: Signals,
    s: States,
    coupling: float = 0.5,
) -> PhysicsReturn:
    """4-port directional coupler (2×2 beamsplitter) with configurable power split ratio.

    Ports p1/p2 are the input ports; p3/p4 are the output ports.
    Signal entering p1 exits at p3 (bar, amplitude t) and p4 (cross, amplitude jk).
    Signal entering p2 exits at p3 (cross, jk) and p4 (bar, t).

    S-matrix::

        S = [[0,    0,    t,    jk  ],
             [0,    0,    jk,   t   ],
             [t,    jk,   0,    0   ],
             [jk,   t,    0,    0   ]]

    where t = sqrt(1 - coupling), k = sqrt(coupling).

    .. note::
        ``coupling`` is clipped to (1e-6, 1−1e-6) to prevent ``I + S`` from becoming
        singular at the degenerate all-through (coupling=0) and all-cross (coupling=1)
        operating points where the S-matrix has an eigenvalue of −1.

    Args:
        signals: Field amplitudes at all four ports.
        s: Unused.
        coupling: Power fraction routed to the cross port (p4 for p1 input, p3 for p2 input).
            Defaults to ``0.5`` (50/50 splitter).

    """
    coupling = jnp.clip(coupling, 1e-6, 1.0 - 1e-6)
    t = jnp.sqrt(1.0 - coupling)
    k = jnp.sqrt(coupling)

    S = jnp.array(
        [
            [0.0,   0.0,   t,      1j * k],
            [0.0,   0.0,   1j * k, t     ],
            [t,     1j * k, 0.0,   0.0   ],
            [1j * k, t,    0.0,    0.0   ],
        ],
        dtype=jnp.complex128,
    )
    Y = s_to_y(S)
    v_vec = jnp.array([signals.p1, signals.p2, signals.p3, signals.p4], dtype=jnp.complex128)
    i_vec = Y @ v_vec
    return {"p1": i_vec[0], "p2": i_vec[1], "p3": i_vec[2], "p4": i_vec[3]}, {}

Grating ¤

Grating(
    signals: Signals,
    s: States,
    center_wavelength_nm: float = 1310.0,
    peak_loss_dB: float = 0.0,
    bandwidth_1dB: float = 20.0,
    wavelength_nm: float = 1310.0,
) -> PhysicsReturn

Grating coupler with Gaussian wavelength-dependent insertion loss.

Loss increases quadratically with detuning from center_wavelength_nm, approximating the Gaussian spectral response of a typical grating coupler. Transmission is clipped to 0.9999 to keep the Y-matrix well-conditioned.

Parameters:

Name Type Description Default
signals Signals

Field amplitudes at the grating (grating) and waveguide (waveguide) ports.

required
s States

Unused.

required
center_wavelength_nm float

Peak transmission wavelength in nm. Defaults to 1310.0.

1310.0
peak_loss_dB float

Insertion loss at peak wavelength in dB. Defaults to 0.0.

0.0
bandwidth_1dB float

Full 1 dB bandwidth in nm. Defaults to 20.0.

20.0
wavelength_nm float

Operating wavelength in nm. Defaults to 1310.0.

1310.0
Source code in circulax/components/photonic.py
@component(ports=("grating", "waveguide"))
def Grating(
    signals: Signals,
    s: States,
    center_wavelength_nm: float = 1310.0,
    peak_loss_dB: float = 0.0,
    bandwidth_1dB: float = 20.0,
    wavelength_nm: float = 1310.0,
) -> PhysicsReturn:
    """Grating coupler with Gaussian wavelength-dependent insertion loss.

    Loss increases quadratically with detuning from ``center_wavelength_nm``,
    approximating the Gaussian spectral response of a typical grating coupler.
    Transmission is clipped to ``0.9999`` to keep the Y-matrix well-conditioned.

    Args:
        signals: Field amplitudes at the grating (``grating``) and waveguide (``waveguide``) ports.
        s: Unused.
        center_wavelength_nm: Peak transmission wavelength in nm. Defaults to ``1310.0``.
        peak_loss_dB: Insertion loss at peak wavelength in dB. Defaults to ``0.0``.
        bandwidth_1dB: Full 1 dB bandwidth in nm. Defaults to ``20.0``.
        wavelength_nm: Operating wavelength in nm. Defaults to ``1310.0``.

    """
    delta = wavelength_nm - center_wavelength_nm
    excess_loss = (delta / (0.5 * bandwidth_1dB)) ** 2
    loss_dB = peak_loss_dB + excess_loss

    T = 10.0 ** (-loss_dB / 20.0)
    # Numerical stability clip
    T = jnp.minimum(T, 0.9999)

    S = jnp.array([[0.0, T], [T, 0.0]], dtype=jnp.complex128)
    Y = s_to_y(S)

    v_vec = jnp.array([signals.grating, signals.waveguide], dtype=jnp.complex128)
    i_vec = Y @ v_vec

    return {"grating": i_vec[0], "waveguide": i_vec[1]}, {}

OpticalSource ¤

OpticalSource(
    signals: Signals, s: States, power: float = 1.0, phase: float = 0.0
) -> PhysicsReturn

Ideal CW optical source for DC and small-signal AC analysis.

Enforces a fixed complex field amplitude sqrt(power) * exp(j * phase) across its ports, analogous to an ideal voltage source in electrical circuits.

Parameters:

Name Type Description Default
signals Signals

Field amplitudes at the positive (p1) and negative (p2) ports.

required
s States

Source current state variable i_src.

required
power float

Output optical power in watts. Defaults to 1.0.

1.0
phase float

Output field phase in radians. Defaults to 0.0.

0.0
Source code in circulax/components/photonic.py
@component(ports=("p1", "p2"), states=("i_src",))
def OpticalSource(signals: Signals, s: States, power: float = 1.0, phase: float = 0.0) -> PhysicsReturn:
    """Ideal CW optical source for DC and small-signal AC analysis.

    Enforces a fixed complex field amplitude ``sqrt(power) * exp(j * phase)``
    across its ports, analogous to an ideal voltage source in electrical circuits.

    Args:
        signals: Field amplitudes at the positive (``p1``) and negative (``p2``) ports.
        s: Source current state variable ``i_src``.
        power: Output optical power in watts. Defaults to ``1.0``.
        phase: Output field phase in radians. Defaults to ``0.0``.

    """
    v_val = jnp.sqrt(power) * jnp.exp(1j * phase)
    constraint = (signals.p1 - signals.p2) - v_val

    return {"p1": s.i_src, "p2": -s.i_src, "i_src": constraint}, {}

OpticalSourcePulse ¤

OpticalSourcePulse(
    signals: Signals,
    s: States,
    t: float,
    power: float = 1.0,
    phase: float = 0.0,
    delay: float = 2e-10,
    rise: float = 5e-11,
) -> PhysicsReturn

Time-dependent optical source with a sigmoid turn-on profile.

Field amplitude ramps smoothly from zero to sqrt(power) around delay, with the steepness of the transition controlled by rise. Suitable for transient simulations of optical pulse propagation.

Parameters:

Name Type Description Default
signals Signals

Field amplitudes at the positive (p1) and negative (p2) ports.

required
s States

Source current state variable i_src.

required
t float

Current simulation time in seconds.

required
power float

Peak output optical power in watts. Defaults to 1.0.

1.0
phase float

Output field phase in radians. Defaults to 0.0.

0.0
delay float

Turn-on delay in seconds. Defaults to 0.2e-9.

2e-10
rise float

Sigmoid rise time constant in seconds. Defaults to 0.05e-9.

5e-11
Source code in circulax/components/photonic.py
@source(ports=("p1", "p2"), states=("i_src",))
def OpticalSourcePulse(
    signals: Signals,
    s: States,
    t: float,
    power: float = 1.0,
    phase: float = 0.0,
    delay: float = 0.2e-9,
    rise: float = 0.05e-9,
) -> PhysicsReturn:
    """Time-dependent optical source with a sigmoid turn-on profile.

    Field amplitude ramps smoothly from zero to ``sqrt(power)`` around
    ``delay``, with the steepness of the transition controlled by ``rise``.
    Suitable for transient simulations of optical pulse propagation.

    Args:
        signals: Field amplitudes at the positive (``p1``) and negative (``p2``) ports.
        s: Source current state variable ``i_src``.
        t: Current simulation time in seconds.
        power: Peak output optical power in watts. Defaults to ``1.0``.
        phase: Output field phase in radians. Defaults to ``0.0``.
        delay: Turn-on delay in seconds. Defaults to ``0.2e-9``.
        rise: Sigmoid rise time constant in seconds. Defaults to ``0.05e-9``.

    """
    val = jnp.sqrt(power) * jnn.sigmoid((t - delay) / rise)
    v_val = val * jnp.exp(1j * phase)

    constraint = (signals.p1 - signals.p2) - v_val

    return {"p1": s.i_src, "p2": -s.i_src, "i_src": constraint}, {}

OpticalWaveguide ¤

OpticalWaveguide(
    signals: Signals,
    s: States,
    length_um: float = 100.0,
    loss_dB_cm: float = 1.0,
    neff: float = 2.4,
    n_group: float = 4.0,
    center_wavelength_nm: float = 1310.0,
    wavelength_nm: float = 1310.0,
) -> PhysicsReturn

Single-mode waveguide with first-order dispersion and propagation loss.

The effective index is linearised around center_wavelength_nm using the group index to approximate dispersion. Phase and loss are combined into a complex transmission coefficient T, from which the 2×2 S-matrix and corresponding Y-matrix are derived.

Parameters:

Name Type Description Default
signals Signals

Field amplitudes at input (p1) and output (p2).

required
s States

Unused.

required
length_um float

Waveguide length in micrometres. Defaults to 100.0.

100.0
loss_dB_cm float

Propagation loss in dB/cm. Defaults to 1.0.

1.0
neff float

Effective refractive index at center_wavelength_nm. Defaults to 2.4.

2.4
n_group float

Group refractive index, used to compute the dispersion slope. Defaults to 4.0.

4.0
center_wavelength_nm float

Reference wavelength for dispersion expansion in nm. Defaults to 1310.0.

1310.0
wavelength_nm float

Operating wavelength in nm. Defaults to 1310.0.

1310.0
Source code in circulax/components/photonic.py
@component(ports=("p1", "p2"))
def OpticalWaveguide(
    signals: Signals,
    s: States,
    length_um: float = 100.0,
    loss_dB_cm: float = 1.0,
    neff: float = 2.4,
    n_group: float = 4.0,
    center_wavelength_nm: float = 1310.0,
    wavelength_nm: float = 1310.0,
) -> PhysicsReturn:
    """Single-mode waveguide with first-order dispersion and propagation loss.

    The effective index is linearised around ``center_wavelength_nm`` using the
    group index to approximate dispersion. Phase and loss are combined into a
    complex transmission coefficient ``T``, from which the 2×2 S-matrix and
    corresponding Y-matrix are derived.

    Args:
        signals: Field amplitudes at input (``p1``) and output (``p2``).
        s: Unused.
        length_um: Waveguide length in micrometres. Defaults to ``100.0``.
        loss_dB_cm: Propagation loss in dB/cm. Defaults to ``1.0``.
        neff: Effective refractive index at ``center_wavelength_nm``. Defaults to ``2.4``.
        n_group: Group refractive index, used to compute the dispersion slope. Defaults to ``4.0``.
        center_wavelength_nm: Reference wavelength for dispersion expansion in nm. Defaults to ``1310.0``.
        wavelength_nm: Operating wavelength in nm. Defaults to ``1310.0``.

    """
    d_lam = wavelength_nm - center_wavelength_nm
    slope = (neff - n_group) / center_wavelength_nm
    n_eff_disp = neff + slope * d_lam

    # Phase calculation
    phi = 2.0 * jnp.pi * n_eff_disp * (length_um / wavelength_nm) * 1000.0

    # Loss calculation
    loss_val = loss_dB_cm * (length_um / 10000.0)
    T_mag = 10.0 ** (-loss_val / 20.0)

    # S-Matrix construction
    T = T_mag * jnp.exp(-1j * phi)
    S = jnp.array([[0.0, T], [T, 0.0]], dtype=jnp.complex128)

    # Convert to Admittance (Y)
    Y = s_to_y(S)

    # Calculate Currents (I = Y * V)
    # Note: Explicit complex cast ensures JAX treats the interaction as complex
    v_vec = jnp.array([signals.p1, signals.p2], dtype=jnp.complex128)
    i_vec = Y @ v_vec

    return {"p1": i_vec[0], "p2": i_vec[1]}, {}

Splitter ¤

Splitter(signals: Signals, s: States, split_ratio: float = 0.5) -> PhysicsReturn

Lossless asymmetric optical splitter (Y-junction) with a configurable power split ratio.

The S-matrix is constructed to be unitary, with the cross-port coupling carrying a j phase shift to satisfy energy conservation.

Parameters:

Name Type Description Default
signals Signals

Field amplitudes at the input (p1) and two output ports (p2, p3).

required
s States

Unused.

required
split_ratio float

Fraction of input power routed to p2. The remaining 1 - split_ratio is routed to p3. Defaults to 0.5 (50/50 splitter).

0.5
Source code in circulax/components/photonic.py
@component(ports=("p1", "p2", "p3"))
def Splitter(signals: Signals, s: States, split_ratio: float = 0.5) -> PhysicsReturn:
    """Lossless asymmetric optical splitter (Y-junction) with a configurable power split ratio.

    The S-matrix is constructed to be unitary, with the cross-port coupling
    carrying a ``j`` phase shift to satisfy energy conservation.

    Args:
        signals: Field amplitudes at the input (``p1``) and two output ports
            (``p2``, ``p3``).
        s: Unused.
        split_ratio: Fraction of input power routed to ``p2``. The remaining
            ``1 - split_ratio`` is routed to ``p3``. Defaults to ``0.5``
            (50/50 splitter).

    """
    r = jnp.sqrt(split_ratio)
    tc = jnp.sqrt(1.0 - split_ratio)

    S = jnp.array([[0.0, r, 1j * tc], [r, 0.0, 0.0], [1j * tc, 0.0, 0.0]], dtype=jnp.complex128)

    Y = s_to_y(S)

    v_vec = jnp.array([signals.p1, signals.p2, signals.p3], dtype=jnp.complex128)
    i_vec = Y @ v_vec

    return {"p1": i_vec[0], "p2": i_vec[1], "p3": i_vec[2]}, {}

TunableBeamSplitter ¤

TunableBeamSplitter(
    signals: Signals, s: States, theta: float = pi / 4
) -> PhysicsReturn

Ideal lossless 2×2 directional coupler with a variable coupling angle.

Implements a tunable beam splitter using a Modified Nodal Analysis (MNA) voltage-controlled voltage source (VCVS) stamp, which avoids the near-singular (I + S) matrix that arises when applying s_to_y to a lossless transmission-only S-matrix.

The transmission relations enforced are::

E_p3 = cos(theta) * E_p1 + j * sin(theta) * E_p2
E_p4 = j * sin(theta) * E_p1 + cos(theta) * E_p2

Special cases:

  • theta = 0 — bar state: p1 → p3, p2 → p4 (no coupling).
  • theta = pi/4 — 50/50 beamsplitter (default).
  • theta = pi/2 — cross state: p1 → p4, p2 → p3 (full coupling).

Two internal state variables i_top and i_bot carry the branch currents at the output ports p3 and p4 respectively. The input ports p1 and p2 contribute no self-stamp; they must be driven by connected sources or loads to avoid floating nodes.

Gradient flow is exact via jax.grad for all values of theta when using the "dense" solver backend.

Parameters:

Name Type Description Default
signals Signals

Field amplitudes at all four ports.

required
s States

Branch current state variables i_top and i_bot.

required
theta float

Coupling angle in radians. Controls the power split ratio: P_cross / P_total = sin²(theta). Defaults to pi/4 (50/50).

pi / 4
Source code in circulax/components/photonic.py
@component(ports=("p1", "p2", "p3", "p4"), states=("i_top", "i_bot"))
def TunableBeamSplitter(
    signals: Signals,
    s: States,
    theta: float = jnp.pi / 4,
) -> PhysicsReturn:
    """Ideal lossless 2×2 directional coupler with a variable coupling angle.

    Implements a tunable beam splitter using a Modified Nodal Analysis (MNA)
    voltage-controlled voltage source (VCVS) stamp, which avoids the
    near-singular ``(I + S)`` matrix that arises when applying ``s_to_y`` to
    a lossless transmission-only S-matrix.

    The transmission relations enforced are::

        E_p3 = cos(theta) * E_p1 + j * sin(theta) * E_p2
        E_p4 = j * sin(theta) * E_p1 + cos(theta) * E_p2

    Special cases:

    * ``theta = 0``       — bar state: ``p1 → p3``, ``p2 → p4`` (no coupling).
    * ``theta = pi/4``    — 50/50 beamsplitter (default).
    * ``theta = pi/2``    — cross state: ``p1 → p4``, ``p2 → p3`` (full coupling).

    Two internal state variables ``i_top`` and ``i_bot`` carry the branch
    currents at the output ports ``p3`` and ``p4`` respectively.  The input
    ports ``p1`` and ``p2`` contribute no self-stamp; they must be driven by
    connected sources or loads to avoid floating nodes.

    Gradient flow is exact via ``jax.grad`` for all values of ``theta``
    when using the ``"dense"`` solver backend.

    Args:
        signals: Field amplitudes at all four ports.
        s: Branch current state variables ``i_top`` and ``i_bot``.
        theta: Coupling angle in radians.  Controls the power split ratio:
            ``P_cross / P_total = sin²(theta)``.  Defaults to ``pi/4`` (50/50).

    """
    c = jnp.cos(theta).astype(jnp.complex128)
    js = (1j * jnp.sin(theta)).astype(jnp.complex128)

    # Voltage constraints (VCVS): enforce transmission relations
    eq_top = signals.p3 - c * signals.p1 - js * signals.p2
    eq_bot = signals.p4 - js * signals.p1 - c * signals.p2

    return {
        "p1": 0.0,        # no self-stamp on input ports
        "p2": 0.0,
        "p3": s.i_top,    # VCVS branch current injected at output p3
        "p4": s.i_bot,    # VCVS branch current injected at output p4
        "i_top": eq_top,  # constraint: E_p3 = cos(θ)·E_p1 + j·sin(θ)·E_p2
        "i_bot": eq_bot,  # constraint: E_p4 = j·sin(θ)·E_p1 + cos(θ)·E_p2
    }, {}