Intelligent designs in nanophotonics: from optimization towards inverse creation

Applying intelligence algorithms to conceive nanoscale meta-devices becomes a flourishing and extremely active scientific topic over the past few years. Inverse design of functional nanostructures is at the heart of this topic, in which artificial intelligence (AI) furnishes various optimization toolboxes to speed up prototyping of photonic layouts with enhanced performance. In this review, we offer a systemic view on recent advancements in nanophotonic components designed by intelligence algorithms, manifesting a development trend from performance optimizations towards inverse creations of novel designs. To illustrate interplays between two fields, AI and photonics, we take meta-atom spectral manipulation as a case study to introduce algorithm operational principles, and subsequently review their manifold usages among a set of popular meta-elements. As arranged from levels of individual optimized piece to practical system, we discuss algorithm-assisted nanophotonic designs to examine their mutual benefits. We further comment on a set of open questions including reasonable applications of advanced algorithms, expensive data issue, and algorithm benchmarking, etc. Overall, we envision mounting photonic-targeted methodologies to substantially push forward functional artificial meta-devices to profit both fields.

Automated summary

Applying intelligent algorithms to conceive nanoscale meta-devices has become a flourishing and highly active scientific topic. The use of artificial intelligence in accelerating the prototyping of photonic layouts with enhanced performance is at the forefront of this field, showing a trend towards inverse creation of novel designs. By discussing algorithm-assisted nanophotonic designs, mutual benefits between the fields of AI and photonics can be examined.