physics

Photonics & Optical Engineering

Explore the science of light generation, detection, and manipulation through interactive simulations of optical fibers, photonic crystals, amplifiers, waveguides, and nonlinear optical phenomena.

photonicsopticsfiber opticswaveguideslasersnonlinear opticsphotonic crystals

Photonics is the science and technology of generating, controlling, and detecting photons — particles of light. It underpins modern telecommunications, medical imaging, manufacturing, and quantum computing, forming the backbone of our information age through fiber-optic networks that carry over 95% of global data traffic.

These interactive simulations let you explore how light propagates through optical fibers, how photonic crystals create forbidden frequency bands, how optical amplifiers boost signals, how waveguides couple energy between channels, and how intense light triggers nonlinear effects in materials. Each simulation is grounded in Maxwell's equations and real-world engineering parameters.

5 interactive simulations

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Nonlinear Optical Effects

Simulate self-phase modulation, four-wave mixing, and spectral broadening in optical fibers, visualizing how pulse intensity, fiber nonlinearity, and dispersion shape the output spectrum.

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Optical Amplifier Gain Dynamics

Model erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) gain and noise characteristics as a function of pump power, signal wavelength, fiber length, and erbium concentration.

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Optical Fiber Mode Propagation

Simulate guided mode profiles in step-index and graded-index optical fibers, visualizing how core diameter, numerical aperture, and wavelength determine single-mode vs multimode operation.

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Photonic Crystal Band Structure

Visualize photonic band gaps in 1D and 2D periodic dielectric structures, showing how lattice period, refractive index contrast, and fill fraction create frequency ranges where light cannot propagate.

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Waveguide Directional Coupler

Simulate evanescent-field power transfer between two parallel optical waveguides, exploring coupling length, wavelength dependence, and cross-talk in integrated photonic circuits.