Hierarchy of Methods for Laser Design and Compact Modeling in a Photonic Integrated Circuit Simulator

We review the present status and future potential of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) simulation technology as a platform for laser design and simulation. The role of a PIC simulator is two-fold: first, it provides calibrated laser compact models for circuit designers, and second, it provides physical laser simulation for laser designers. This is made possible by laser models with different trade-offs between accuracy and efficiency. On the one hand, the characteristics of the laser output have a significant impact on the performance of a PIC. On the other hand, lasers are complicated devices requiring sophisticated physical simulation methods to help design their characteristics on the physical level. We will discuss how a PIC simulator is used to achieve both goals.