Advances in inverse design for integrated optics and meta-photonics

Inverse design methodologies have revolutionized the development of integrated optical devices by enabling the rapid exploration of vast design spaces through, for example, gradient-based topology optimization. This talk highlights our recent research on the inverse design of large-scale photonic components, focusing on the development and use of high-performance computing and scalable parallel solvers. I will present the inverse design of nanophotonic structures made from arbitrary dispersive materials, achieved through time-domain techniques that enable broadband performance. The discussion will include the topology optimization of meta-atoms with desired multipolar responses for scattering engineering. Additionally, the talk will cover integrated beam splitters with arbitrary phase outputs for quantum information processing, free-form optical circuits fabricated via two-photon polymerization, and meta-waveguides with tunable phase and modes using liquid crystals towards reprogrammable optical chips.