Photon Design has introduced an industry-first capability: full 3D quantum dot laser simulation through its HAROLD QD engine integrated with PICWave. The combined toolset models quantum dot active regions inside photonic integrated circuits, providing engineers a predictive pathway from device physics to PIC-level performance. Photon Design will showcase the release at CLEO 2026.
Enabling Precision for Quantum Dot Lasers
HAROLD QD simulates quantum dot lasers using an 8-band K.P based model that accounts for electronic structure, optical gain, and carrier dynamics. The solver includes stress and strain effects, full 3D geometry, and electromagnetic coupling to surrounding waveguides. When linked to PICWave, designers can run device-to-system simulations that capture modal behavior, thermal effects, and coupling losses across a full PIC layout. That level of fidelity is new for QD lasers in an integrated photonics workflow.
Powering AI and High-Performance Computing
Quantum dot lasers are attractive for AI and HPC interconnects because they tolerate higher temperatures, offer lower threshold currents, and can sustain high modulation bandwidths. Those properties reduce cooling and power demands in dense data center environments while supporting the low-latency, high-throughput links needed for distributed AI training. Accurate 3D simulation lets architects quantify trade-offs in modulation speed, optical power, and thermal headroom before fabrication.
Streamlining Silicon Photonics Development
Photon Design’s flow supports designs where quantum dots are grown directly on silicon waveguides or bonded to silicon PICs. Engineers can evaluate coupling efficiency into silicon waveguides, optimize mode matching, and predict yield impacts from strain and fabrication variability. Integrating QD device physics into PICWave shortens design cycles and reduces fabrication iterations for silicon photonics and mixed-material PICs.
By translating quantum dot device physics into system-level metrics, HAROLD QD plus PICWave gives developers a practical way to bring QD lasers into next-generation AI and HPC infrastructure. Expect further details and demonstrations at CLEO 2026.
