Package: gdsHelpers
GDSHelpersGDSHelpers in an open-source package for automatized pattern generation for nano-structuring.
It allows exporting the pattern in the GDSII-format and OASIS-format, which are currently mainly used for describing 2D-masks.
Currently, the focus is mainly on photonic and superconducting circuitry.
The library consists of growing list of parts, which can be composed into larger circuits.So far, the following parts are implemented:A waveguide part, allowing easy chaining of bends and straight waveguides.Includes parameterized paths and Bézier curves.Automatic smooth connection to a target point/portThe size of the waveguide can be tapered (linear or by a user defined function),
which can e.g. be used for optical edge coupling or electronic contact padsAllows to design slot-waveguides and coplanar waveguides (with arbitrary number of rails)Different types of splitters:Y-splitterMMI-splittersDirectional splitterCouplersGrating couplers (allowing apodized gratings)Tapers for hybrid 3D-integrationRing and racetrack resonatorsMach-Zehnder interferometersStrip to slot mode converterSpiralsSuperconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs)Superconducting nanoscale Transistors (NTRONs)Different types of markersQRcodesA possibility to include imagesText-elements for labeling the structuresGDSII-importBesides this it also allows to perform conveniently operations on the design, like:Convert the pattern for usage of positive resistCreate holes around the circuitry, which is e.g. necessary for under-etchingShapely-operations can also be applied on the generated structures, e.g. shrinking or inflating of the geometrySurrounding the structures with holes in a rectangular lattice and filling waveguides with holes in a honeycomb lattice for controlling vortex dynamicsThe structures are organized in cells, which allow:Adding structures on multiple layersAdding cells into other cells, the cells can be added with an offset with respect to the parent cell and can be rotatedStoring additional information, which can be used for saving design parametersAutomatized generation of region layersParallelized exportAdditionally the structures can conveniently be simulated by:Using the meep integration (FDTD)Finally, there are also different formats in which the pattern can be exported:The GDSII-format, which is quite often used for (electron beam/...)-lithographyThe OASIS-format, which one of the successors of the GDSII-formatTo an 2D-imageTo stl-objects which are useful e.g. for 3D-renderingsDirectly to a blender-file or an rendered 3D-imageCiting GDSHelpersWe would appreciate if you cite the following paper in your publications for which you used GDSHelpers:Helge Gehring, Matthias Blaicher, Wladick Hartmann, and Wolfram H. P. Pernice,"Python based open source design framework for integrated nanophotonic and superconducting circuitry with 2D-3D-hybrid integration"OSA Continuum 2, 3091-3101 (2019)DocumentationYou can find thedocumentation on readthedocs.
If you have problems using GDSHelpers don't hesitate to contact us usingDiscussionsorsend me a mail.InstallationThe GDSHelpers can be installed via pip using
(more details in theinstallation documentation)pipinstallgdshelpers