Ansys Lumerical Multiphysics vs. MatConvNet vs. OptSim vs. Python Comparison Chart

Ansys Lumerical Multiphysics is a photonics component simulation software that enables the seamless design of photonic components by capturing multiphysics effects, including optical, thermal, electrical, and quantum well interactions, within a unified design environment. Tailored for design engineering workflows, this intuitive product design software offers a fast user experience, facilitating rapid design exploration and providing detailed insights into real-world product performance. It combines live physics and accurate high-fidelity simulation into an easy-to-use interface, supporting faster time-to-market. Key features include a finite element design environment, integrated multiphysics workflows, comprehensive material models, and capabilities for automation and optimization. The suite of solvers and seamless workflows in Lumerical Multiphysics accurately capture the interplay of physical effects in modeling both passive and active photonic components.

Synopsys OptSim is an award-winning photonic integrated circuit (PIC) and fiber-optic system simulator that enables engineers to design and optimize photonic circuits and systems. It offers state-of-the-art time- and frequency-domain split-step algorithms, providing a native photonic-domain environment for accurate simulations. OptSim can function as a standalone solution with its own graphical user interface or integrate into the OptoCompiler Photonic IC design platform. When integrated with OptoCompiler, OptSim supports electro-optic co-simulation with Synopsys PrimeSim HSPICE and PrimeSim SPICE electrical circuit simulators, and seamlessly integrates with the PrimeWave Design Environment for advanced simulation, analyses, and visualization, including parametric scans, Monte Carlo, and corner analyses. The software includes extensive libraries of photonic and electronic components and analysis tools, and supports numerous foundry process design kits (PDKs).