AI-Designed Photonics Gratings with Experimental Verification

Artificial Intelligence (AI) software based on transformer model is developed to automatically design gratings for possible integrations in ion traps to perform optical addressing on ions. From the user-defined (x,z) coordinates and full-width half-maximum (FWHM) values, the AI software can automatically generate the Graphic Design System (GDS) layout of the grating that shoots light towards the pre-defined (x,z) coordinates with built-in finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation for performance verification. Based on the FDTD verification, AI-design gratings produced grating-to-free-space light that shoots towards the provided (x,z) target with < 2 micron deviations. For most attempts, the FWHM of FDTD simulation has < 2 micron deviations from the user-defined FWHM. The AI-designed gratings were successfully taped out and capable of producing output light for possible optical addressing of trapped ions.