Topology optimization of ultra-fast nano-photonic switches

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate 1D switch designs obtained by topology optimization which show better performance than the designs considered in the literature. Such devices are non-linear and their performance depends on the efficiency of light-matter interaction. Simple optical switches can be designed using physical considerations and intuition. Alternatively the proposed topology optimization scheme provides a systematic methodology for obtaining and optimizing the layout of the devices. It is shown that the algorithm can efficiently handle more than two materials and that the obtained switches possess excellent performance.