engineering

Optoelectronics & Photonic Devices

The science and engineering of devices that convert between electrical signals and light — photodetectors, laser diodes, optical modulators, waveguides, and photonic switches that power modern telecommunications and sensing.

optoelectronicsphotonicslaser diodephotodetectoroptical modulatorwaveguidephotonic switch

Optoelectronics sits at the intersection of optics and electronics, encompassing devices that source, detect, and control light. From the laser diodes in fiber-optic networks to the photodetectors in smartphone cameras, photonic components are the backbone of modern information technology, sensing, and energy harvesting.

These simulations let you explore photodetector responsivity under varying illumination, drive laser diodes through threshold to stimulated emission, modulate optical signals with electro-optic effects, design dielectric waveguides by tuning refractive indices, and switch light paths in photonic circuits — all with physically accurate models and real-time animated canvases.

5 interactive simulations

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Laser Diode L-I Characteristics

Simulate a semiconductor laser diode — explore how injection current, temperature, cavity length, and mirror reflectivity affect threshold, output power, and spectral behavior

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Electro-Optic Modulator & Mach-Zehnder

Simulate a Mach-Zehnder optical modulator — explore how drive voltage, bias point, extinction ratio, and modulation frequency shape the output optical signal

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Photonic Optical Switch

Simulate a directional coupler optical switch — explore how coupling length, refractive index change, wavelength, and gap spacing control light routing between waveguide ports

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Photodetector Responsivity & Noise

Simulate a semiconductor photodetector — explore how wavelength, optical power, reverse bias, and bandwidth affect photocurrent, responsivity, NEP, and signal-to-noise ratio

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Optical Waveguide Mode Solver

Simulate a slab dielectric waveguide — explore how core thickness, core and cladding refractive indices, and wavelength determine guided modes and confinement