Simulation Tools For Free-space Optical Interconnects Based On Computer-generated Holograms

Free-space optical links are a promising, low-latency alternative for chip-to-chip and board-to-board interconnection. Computer-generated holograms (CGHs), acting as specialized lenses, would route and focus light from laser sources to photodetectors. The design of such interconnects will require computer tools to evaluate certain performance metrics. We propose a simulation methodology for free-space systems that makes use of the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld (RS) scalar diffraction formula to model the propagation of light from the CGH to the detector locations. Use of the RS formula allows straightforward computation of diffraction efficiency, spot size, group delay, and crosstalk