Your First Photonic Design
Create a working photonic circuit in under 5 minutes with this hands-on tutorial
Tutorial Overview
What You'll Build:
Add-Drop Ring Resonator
A fundamental photonic component for wavelength filtering and routing
- 2 input waveguides
- 1 ring resonator
- 2 output ports
- Real-time simulation
What You'll Learn:
- Navigate the FluxCore Dynamics interface
- Use the component library
- Connect components with waveguides
- Run real-time simulation
- Analyze performance results
- Export your design
Estimated Time: 5-8 minutes
Perfect for your first FluxCore Dynamics experience
Before You Start
Required:
- FluxCore Dynamics account (free or paid)
- Modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
- Mouse or trackpad for interaction
Helpful (but not required):
- Basic understanding of optics
- Previous CAD software experience
- Microphone for voice control (optional)
New to photonics? No problem! This tutorial is designed for all experience levels. We'll explain concepts as we go.
Step-by-Step Tutorial
1Access the Design Environment
Getting Started:
- Log into your FluxCore Dynamics account
- Click "New Design" from the dashboard
- Select "Blank Photonic Design" template
- Name your project "My First Ring Resonator"
- Click "Create Design" to enter the editor
Interface Overview:
- Canvas: Main design area (center)
- Library: Component palette (left)
- Properties: Settings panel (right)
- Simulation: Physics view (bottom)
Pro Tip: The interface adapts to your workflow. Panels can be collapsed, moved, or resized. Try the voice command "Show me around" for a guided tour!
2Add Input Waveguides
Let's start by adding the input waveguides that will carry light into our ring resonator.
Adding Components:
- In the Component Library, expand "Waveguides"
- Find "Straight Waveguide" component
- Drag it onto the canvas (left side)
- Drag another straight waveguide below the first
- Components will snap to the design grid
Voice Alternative: Say "Add straight waveguide" twice for hands-free placement!
What You'll See:
- Blue rectangular shapes (waveguides)
- Connection ports at each end
- Grid alignment guides
- Properties panel updates automatically
3Create the Ring Resonator
Now we'll add the ring resonator - the heart of our design that will filter specific wavelengths.
Adding the Ring:
- In Component Library, expand "Resonators"
- Select "Ring Resonator" component
- Drag it to the center of the canvas
- Position it between the two waveguides
- The ring will show coupling gaps automatically
Key Parameters:
- Radius: 10 um (default)
- Coupling Gap: 200 nm
- Ring Width: 450 nm
Ring Resonator Basics:
A ring resonator selectively filters wavelengths based on its circumference. Light at resonant wavelengths circulates in the ring.
- Input Port: Light enters
- Through Port: Non-resonant wavelengths
- Drop Port: Resonant wavelengths
- Coupling: Evanescent field interaction
Design Tip: The coupling gap determines how much light transfers between the waveguide and ring. Smaller gaps = stronger coupling.
4Connect and Configure
Let's connect our components and fine-tune the design parameters for optimal performance.
Making Connections:
- Components should auto-connect via coupling gaps
- If needed, drag connection lines between ports
- Green indicators show successful connections
- Red indicators show design rule violations
Parameter Adjustment:
- Click the ring to select it
- Properties panel shows ring parameters
- Adjust coupling gap to 180 nm
- Set ring radius to 12 um
Live Parameter Updates:
Watch as parameters update in real-time! The design will show:
- Resonant wavelength predictions
- Coupling strength indicators
- Q-factor estimations
- Free spectral range calculations
5Run Real-Time Simulation
Now for the magic! Let's run FluxCore Dynamics's revolutionary real-time physics simulation to see our ring resonator in action.
Starting Simulation:
- Click the "Simulate" button in the toolbar
- Choose "FDTD Time Domain" simulation
- Set wavelength to 1550 nm
- Click "Start Real-Time Simulation"
- Watch electromagnetic fields propagate!
What You'll See:
- Light pulses traveling through waveguides
- Energy building up in the ring
- Real-time field intensity visualization
- Power measurements at each port
- 60fps smooth animation
Congratulations! Your First Real-Time Simulation
You're now witnessing something revolutionary - browser-based real-time photonic simulation that previously required expensive desktop software and hours of computation time!
6Analyze Performance
Let's examine the performance characteristics of our ring resonator design.
Key Metrics:
Analysis Tools:
- Transmission spectrum plot
- Field intensity visualization
- Power flow animation
- Coupling efficiency metrics
- Loss analysis breakdown
Understanding the Results:
- High Q-factor: Sharp resonance, good wavelength selectivity
- Good drop efficiency: Most resonant light transfers to drop port
- Low through-port intensity: Confirms effective wavelength filtering
- Symmetric response: Well-balanced coupling design
7Save and Export Your Design
Great work! Let's save your design and explore export options for fabrication or further analysis.
Saving Your Work:
- Click "File" - "Save Design" (or Ctrl+S)
- Confirm project name and description
- Design automatically saves to cloud
- Version history preserved automatically
Auto-save: FluxCore Dynamics saves every 30 seconds, so your work is never lost!
Export Options:
- GDSII (for fabrication)
- PDF design report
- S-parameter data
- 3D visualization
- Simulation results
Congratulations! You've Completed Your First Design!
You've successfully created a professional-grade ring resonator design using FluxCore Dynamics's revolutionary platform. Here's what you accomplished:
Design Skills
- Component placement
- Parameter optimization
- Connection management
Simulation Experience
- Real-time FDTD simulation
- Performance analysis
- Results interpretation
Platform Mastery
- Interface navigation
- Save and export workflow
- Professional design process
Ready for More? Next Learning Steps
Now that you've mastered the basics, explore FluxCore Dynamics's advanced capabilities:
Try Voice Control:
AI-Powered Features:
Advanced Simulation:
Collaboration:
You've joined the FluxCore Dynamics revolution!
Share your first design with the community or start building something even more ambitious. The future of photonic design is voice-controlled, AI-powered, and accessible to everyone.