News: Suppliers
7 October 2026
Photon Design halves runtime and improves precision in HAROLD QD quantum dot laser simulator
Photonic simulation CAD software developer Photon Design Ltd of Oxford, UK has enhanced the performance of its recently released HAROLD QD 3D quantum dot simulation tool.
The latest release more than halves computation run time using only a standard workstation or laptop and no need of cloud processing. HAROLD QD’s faster, lower-cost simulations enable engineers to run more iterations within the same timeframe, producing precise results in line with field-tested QD lasers. Its established integration with PICWave also enables dynamic, 3D circuit simulation, including gratings and extended cavities, for comprehensive, 3D laser modelling; a unique tool in the industry, it is claimed.
“Quantum-dot lasers are vital to many next-generation and emerging applications, including enabling the shift to optical architectures in data centers, AI and HPC,” says CEO Dr Dominic Gallagher. “They support silicon-based manufacturing while delivering high-temperature operation, strong modulation, improved data-transmission performance, low power consumption and increased reliability,” he adds.
“HAROLD QD uses an eight-band k·p energy-level model to simulate quantum dot structures, sizes and distributions; calculate 3D stress and strain; generate gain and absorption spectra; and model thermal rollover, carrier diffusion, current spreading and hole burning. Integration with PICWave streamlines engineering workflows, supported by existing models for DFB gratings, ring resonators, lossless bends, tapers and directional couplers in wider PIC [photonic integrated circuit] applications.”
In addition to simulating QD lasers, HAROLD can be used for multi-quantum well (MQW) structures and silicon modulators. As part of Photon Design’s full design suite, engineers can go on to design components such as Mach–Zehnder modulators, tunable filters, laser ring resonators, LiDAR beam steering and multi-junction vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs).
Photon Design enables industry-first 3D quantum dot laser simulation
