When should I use BPM instead of FDTD?

Beam propagation method (BPM) is typically used for waveguide structures where light primarily propagates in a known direction and efficient simulation speed is important. FDTD is generally preferred when modeling complex electromagnetic interactions, scattering effects, resonant structures, or strongly reflective devices.

Can BeamPROP simulate arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs)?

Yes. BeamPROP includes dedicated AWG design utilities that enable efficient modeling, optimization, and performance analysis of arrayed waveguide gratings used in wavelength multiplexing and demultiplexing applications.

How do engineers model fiber-to-chip coupling?

BeamPROP can be used to analyze spot-size converters, tapers, mode converters, and coupling structures to optimize power transfer between optical fibers and photonic integrated circuits.

Can BeamPROP model polarization effects?

Yes. BeamPROP includes advanced polarization modeling capabilities that help engineers evaluate polarization behavior in anisotropic and polarization-sensitive photonic devices.

What photonic devices are commonly designed with BPM?

Common applications include: Arrayed Waveguide Gratings (AWGs) Spot-size converters Mode converters Optical couplers Power splitters Fiber-to-chip Interfaces Passive photonic components Silicon photonics waveguides

How does BeamPROP fit into the RSoft photonic design workflow?

BeamPROP is commonly used for waveguide-level device analysis and optimization alongside other RSoft tools for electromagnetic simulation, photonic integrated circuit design, and system-level photonics modeling.

Beam Propagation Analysis

(RSoft BeamPROP BPM)

Design and optimize integrated photonic and fiber-optic devices using fast, simulation-driven waveguide analysis.

Why Use RSoft BeamPROP BPM

Engineers use BeamPROP to simulate light propagation in waveguide-based devices where optical power evolution, coupling behavior, and propagation losses are critical. Built on an industry-proven beam propagation method (BPM), BeamPROP enables rapid design iteration and optimization of photonic components such as:

Arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs)
Splitters and couplers
Mode converters
Spot-size converters
Fiber-to-chip interfaces
Integrated photonic circuits

By combining fast simulation with advanced waveguide modeling capabilities, BeamPROP helps reduce design iterations and evaluate performance before fabrication.

Use RSoft BeamPROP BPM for

Simulating light propagation through integrated optical waveguides
Designing splitters, couplers, bends, tapers, and mode converters
Optimizing arrayed waveguide gratings for wavelength routing
Evaluating optical power transfer between coupled structures
Analyzing propagation loss, mode evolution, and polarization behavior
Improving spot-size converters and fiber-to-chip interfaces
Studying long or complex waveguide circuits where efficient propagation analysis is important

What You Get

Design and optimize optical devices and waveguides.

Efficient 2D and 3D BPM Simulation

Analyze light propagation in integrated and fiber-optic devices using finite-difference beam propagation methods.
Advanced Waveguide Modeling

Evaluate coupling, mode conversion, bending, tapers, losses, and propagation through complex waveguide structures.
Specialized Device Utilities

Support common photonic design tasks such as arrayed waveguide grating development and related routing-device analysis.
Integrated Photonic Design Workflow

Move between geometry definition, simulation, parameter exploration, and optimization in the RSoft CAD Environment.

Key Outcomes

Iterate Waveguide Designs Faster

Evaluate propagation behavior without defaulting to a more computationally intensive full-wave simulation for every design stage.

Improve Coupling Efficiency

Analyze mode matching and power transfer across couplers, tapers, converters, and optical interfaces.

Reduce Propagation Loss

Identify geometry and material changes that affect bending, transition, and waveguide losses.

Make Better Solver Choices

Use BPM for predominantly forward-propagating waveguide problems, then apply a full-wave method where reflections, resonances, or multidirectional behavior require it.

RSoft BeamPROP BPM Applications

Design waveguide-based devices for integrated and fiber-optic photonics.

• Arrayed waveguide gratings

• Optical power splitters

• Directional and multimode couplers

• Spot-size converters

• Polarization rotators

• Mode converters

• Fiber-to-chip interfaces

• Tapers and waveguide bends

• Silicon photonic waveguides

• Integrated photonic circuits

RSoft FullWAVE FDTD

Use the RSoft FullWAVE FDTD simulation tool to study how light propagates in photonic structures, circuits, and nanophotonic devices.

RSoft ModePROP EME

Explore RSoft ModePROP EME, an eigenmode expansion (EME) propagation tool that accounts for both forward and backward propagation and radiation modes.

RSoft FemSIM FEM

Use RSoft FemSIM FEM design tool to calculate any number of transverse or cavity modes of an arbitrary structure on a non-uniform mesh.

RSoft MOST

Use RSoft MOST or Multi-Variable Optimization and Scanning Tool to automate definition, calculation, and analysis of photonic device optimizations and scans.

Resources to Get You Started

Choosing the Right Photonic Device Design Software

Learn when to use BPM, FDTD, RCWA, and other photonic simulation methods for waveguides, couplers, gratings, and integrated photonic devices. Compare simulation approaches and select the right tool for your design challenge.

View White Paper

Photonic Device Design Software Engineer

Flyers

What's New in RSoft Photonic Device Tools

Application Notes

Create an AWG PDK from Device to Circuit

Application Notes

Hybrid Simulation with CODE V and BeamPROP Ray Tracing Tools

Application Notes

Simulation of Long-Period Fiber Gratings Formed with Helical Fiber

Application Notes

Simulate Mode-Evolution-Based Polarization Rotator with High-Index Contrast

Application Notes

Modeling High-Power Lasers

White Papers

Efficient and Accurate BPM Simulation of a Polarization

Application Notes

Designing LIDAR on a Chip

Application Notes

Reflective Multimode Interference Coupler

Application Notes

Studying the Mode Evolution within a Knife-Edge Taper-Based Spot Size Converter

Application Notes

Designing a Mode Converter

Application Notes

Arrayed Waveguide Grating Design

Have Questions? We've Got Answers

Need help evaluating a photonic device design?

Discuss your waveguide, AWG, coupler, or photonic integrated circuit design challenges with our photonics experts and determine whether BeamPROP is the right simulation approach for your workflow.

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