COMSOL

MULTIPHYSICS SOFTWARE

Saivivek Bheemanathini

sxb5542@rit.edu

Introduction

Started by grad student Germund Dahlquist based on code developed for a grad course at Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden Its earlier version was also called as FEMLAB (Finite Element Method) software Provides simulation environment for real world applications

Finite element analysis, solver and simulation software package for Multiphysics phenomena

Capabilities

Interactive modeling and simulations using FEM Pre-defined physics, user defined equations in GUI (Graphics User Interface) and unlimited physics combinations High performance numerical algorithm, powerful post processing capabilities and extensive model libraries Bi-directional interface to Matlab and Simulink RF module and optical structure engineering that can be easily combined with other module

Modeling optical coupling between laser waveguide and optical fiber

Schematic Design

Design

Laser Waveguide

Optical Fiber

Co-axial Cable

Thought Process

Model the coupling between waveguide and co-axial cable Design the waveguide to meet the needs of Laser properties Since there is no pre-defined waveguide for laser and optical fiber, RF waveguide is considered for the initial start-up and optical fiber is designed COMSOL software deals with PDE (Partial Differential Equations) in finite element analysis PDE for the electro-magnetics are studied and applied Design the coupling between waveguide and optical fiber including the effects of stress and thermal distribution

Design steps

Define GeometrySelect space dimension- 1D, 2D, 3D

Draw the feasible design in a graphical window

Add physics Select Radio-Frequency module

Electromagnetics-Frequency domain (emw)

Select Study type-Results Frequency domain, Stationary and Time independent

Design

Modeling between the co-axial cable and RF waveguide is done

Design

Variations of electric field intensity along the waveguide in frequency domain is obtained

Modeling between waveguide and optical fiber

Since there is no optical fiber pre-defined template, it is constructed by using two hollow cylinders and adding materials to differentiate the core and cladding of optical fiber Following parameters are considered for the design H 1[mm] Height, waveguide L 10[mm] Length, waveguide L 3[mm] Length, coaxial cable R 0.25[mm] Outer radius, coaxial cable r 0.125[mm] Inner radius, coaxial cable R1 125[um] Cladding radius, optical fiber R2 8[um] Core radius, optical cable R.I core = 1.45, R.I cladding = 1.43

Design

Material properties are added to the design

Design

Results

Variations of electric field intensity along the waveguide in frequency domain is obtained

Things that have gone wrong

Since there is no laser waveguide pre-defined template, RF waveguide is considered for the initital start-up RF waveguide deals with the frequency of radio waves, i.e. 40 GHz whereas optical fiber deals with the frequency of THz. Hence there in no efficient coupling between waveguide and optical fiber in frequency domain This phenomena is clearly explained in the previous slide as there is no variations in the electric field intensity along the waveguide and optical fiber Although the design is perfect, boundary conditions and partial differential equations are critical to deal with the design

Corrections that may lead to the success

Design the waveguide by applying proper boundary conditions and partial differential equations of electro-magnetics to activate the laser properties Apply the equations of wave optics for the propagation of light inside the waveguide

Add physicsHeat transfer: which is essential for understanding the thermal distribution in the process of coupling between the waveguide and optical fiber.

Corrections that may lead to the success

Add physicsStructural Mechanics: Adding thermal stress to the design helps us to understand the real world scenario how stress act as an impairment and optimize the design to get maximum performance

Good understanding of COMSOL tool to exercise the transition from the raw design to the end product and optimizing the design for the user advantages and objectives.

REFERENCES

1. COMSOL manual, Introduction to COMSOL Multiphysics, v 4.3a, Jan 2013

2. COMSOL software- Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COMSOL Multiphysics

COMSOL website, http://www.comsol.com/