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We are excited to announce the winners of the 2024 Robert S. Hilbert Memorial Optical Design Competition. This annual competition recognizes the innovative work of students in the field of optical design, showcasing their skills and creativity using Synopsys Optical Solutions software. This year’s winners have impressed us with their projects, and we are proud to share their accomplishments.
This year’s winning designs were submitted by students from:
- California Polytechnic State University
- University of Rochester
- University of Central Florida
- University of Texas at Austin
Meet the 2024 Award Recipients
Kaleb Bellenbaum, California Polytechnic State University
Title: “A Mach Zehnder Interferometer for Digital Optical Modulation"
Synopsys Software Product: RSoft Photonic Device Tools: MOST
Bellenbaum is an undergraduate student at the California Polytechnic State University. He designed an electro-optic Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) for long-distance optical communication, optimizing the geometry and voltage modulation using RSoft MOST to achieve precise output control. His work highlights practical considerations and material optimizations for real-world applications.
Bellenbaum said, “Thank you to Cal Poly SLO and Synopsys for giving me the opportunity to ‘learn by doing’ by using great software to explore the applications of photonic systems."
Nick Ghaffarian, California Polytechnic State University
Title: “2x1 Optical Multiplexer"
Synopsys Software Product: RSoft Photonic Device Tools: FullWAVE FDTD
Ghaffarian is an undergraduate student at the California Polytechnic State University. He designed a 2x1 optical multiplexer using waveguides, leveraging phase differences to achieve constructive or destructive interference. His work involved simulating various phase relationships to validate the multiplexer’s functionality, demonstrating that the select waveguide’s phase can control the output. The design provides a foundational component for optical computing, with potential applications in advanced digital circuits.
Benjamin Hancock, University of Rochester
Title: “SWIR Microscope Objective for the Characterization of Single Quantum Dots for Quantum Communications"
Synopsys Software Product: CODE V
Hancock is a Ph.D. candidate in optics at the University of Rochester. His entry presented two solutions for a 0.65 NA SWIR microscope objective for characterizing single quantum dots used in quantum communications, one original, and the other adapted from a patent. Both designs met the required specifications for high numerical aperture and chromatic aberration control, essential for validating single photon emitters. Hancock’s work included iterative optimization and tolerancing to ensure high performance and manufacturability.
“I want to thank Synopsys for this award, the support in designing innovative optics software, and the student licenses that make learning lens design an engaging, practical, and hands-on experience for optics students,” said Hancock. “I also want to thank the Krauss lab for system and conceptual inspiration, as well as Julie Bentley, Georg Nadorff, and Daniel Guzi for introducing me to the field of lens design and teaching me all I know!”
Nathaniel Lazzara, University of Rochester
Title: “Designing a Telephoto Camera System with Internal Focusing From Scratch for Safari Wildlife"
Synopsys Software Product: CODE V
Lazzara is an undergraduate student in optical engineering at the University of Rochester designed a 300mm F/2.8 telephoto lens with internal focusing for photographing endangered wildlife, optimizing two designs with different material choices and telephoto ratios using CODE V. His work aims to bring awareness to endangered species by enabling detailed photography from safe distances.
“Thank you to Synopsys for creating opportunities for lens designers everywhere,” said Lazzara. “It's an absolute honor to be recognized for my hard work on this system. I had a lot of fun exploring two quality solution spaces in CODE V, and I can't wait to work on more challenges in the future. I want to extend a special thanks to my mentor, Jacob Sacks, for his excellent guidance, and to my professor, Julie Bentley, for assigning such an exciting project.”
Lucas Lucia, California Polytechnic State University
Title: “Half-Adder in Optical Logic Gates"
Synopsys Software Product: RSoft Photonic Device Tools: FullWAVE FDTD
Lucia is a graduate student in electrical engineering at the California Polytechnic State University. He designed a half-adder using optical logic gates, specifically AND and XOR gates, optimized with RSoft. His work illustrates the complexities of integrating photonic logic gates, highlighting the potential and challenges of implementing optical logic in practical photonic circuits.
"I am honored that my project was selected for this award," said Lucia. "It was so rewarding to take the concept from a vague idea to a detailed design in RSoft. In the process, I learned a great deal about optical design, simulation, and the challenges of photonic integrated circuits. Many thanks to Synopsys and Dr. Derickson for providing our class with hands-on learning experiences like this one!"
Nancy Mabry, University of Rochester
Title: “Safety in Sight: Wide-Angle Lens for Rearview Car Camera"
Synopsys Software Product: CODE V
Mabry is an undergraduate student in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. Mabry designed a wide-angle lens for rearview car cameras to enhance vehicle safety by minimizing blind zones, comparing spherical glass and aspherical plastic lens designs using CODE V. Her work significantly improved resolution and relative illumination, providing better performance than existing patents, and contributing to safer driving experiences.
“I am honored to have been selected as one of the winners for the competition,” said Mabry. “I would like to extend my gratitude to all those who provided me with guidance and support throughout the semester. Also, a special thank you to Synopsys for their continued dedication to supporting optics students.”
Elizabeth Matchavariani, University of Rochester
Title: “248nm Photolithography Objective for Printing AR/VR Metalenses"
Synopsys Software Product: CODE V
Matchavariani an undergraduate student in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. She designed a 248nm photolithography objective for printing metalenses used in AR/VR devices, optimizing a 30-lens all-silica, all-spherical element system to achieve high resolution and minimal distortion using CODE V. Her work demonstrates the potential for precise and efficient mass production of metalenses through advanced projection lithography techniques.
"It is an honor to receive this award,” said Matchavariani. “I am grateful to the optics community at Rochester, as well as the Synopsys team for the opportunity to explore the exciting world of photolithography through CODE V. Additionally, I would like to thank Professor Julie Bentley for her patience and guidance throughout the design process."
Shupeng Ning, University of Texas at Austin
Title: “A Hardware-Efficient Silicon Electronic-Photonic Chip for Optical Structured Neural Networks"
Synopsys Software Product: Synopsys OptoDesigner
Ning is a graduate student in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Ning developed a hardware-efficient silicon electronic-photonic chip for optical structured neural networks (OSNNs), utilizing Synopsys OptoDesigner. His design reduces active component usage and control complexity, achieving high efficiency in on-chip convolution operations and image recognition tasks, demonstrating the potential of optical computing for next-generation AI accelerators.
“It is a great honor to receive this award,” said Ning. “Integrated photonics has been a promising technology for high-performance computing and AI hardware acceleration. I want to thank Synopsys for providing convenient and efficient EDA tools that support designers and researchers in managing numerous devices and complex layouts to develop state-of-the-art photonic integrated circuits. I also want to extend my gratitude to Prof. Ray T. Chen and Prof. David Z. Pan for their guidance and support throughout this project.”
Xichen Shan, University of Central Florida
Title: “2D Inversely-Designed 1x4 Optical Switch"
Synopsys Software Product: RSoft Photonic Device Tools: RSoft Photonic Device Tools: FullWAVE FDTD
Shan is a Ph.D. candidate in optics and photonics at the University of Central Florida. Shan developed a compact 2D 1x4 optical switch using an inverse-design method, achieving a footprint of just 11.84 µm by 11.84 µm. This design, validated using FullWAVE FDTD, leverages electro-optic modulation to control the refractive index in active regions, ensuring high power transmittance and low crosstalk. The innovative approach and compact design demonstrate significant advancements in photonic device engineering.
“It is a great honor to win this award,” said Shan. “I am very grateful to Synopsys. Their RSoft software provides us with a powerful tool to validate and estimate our inverse design structure, making our work more efficient and convenient. I would also like to thank my advisor, Dr. Shuo Pang, and the other members of our lab. Their assistance and valuable suggestions have been incredibly helpful.”
Victoria Usachev, University of Rochester
Title: “Embedded Wide-Angle Lens in a Football Helmet"
Synopsys Software Product: CODE V
Usachev is an undergraduate student in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. She designed an optical imaging lens assembly to be embedded in a football helmet, providing an immersive viewing experience for spectators and valuable insights for players and coaches. Utilizing seven aspheric plastic elements and an IR-cut filter, her design achieved a 110º field of view and met performance specifications using CODE V.
“I am extremely honored to receive an award for this competition,” said Usachev. “Utilizing the CODE V software has allowed me to enhance my design capabilities and fuel my passion for the emerging fields that optics can provide. I would like to sincerely thank Professor Julie Bentley and Professor Georg Nadorff for their support with this project, as this achievement would not have been possible without their guidance”.
McCain Varley, University of Rochester
Title: “Catadioptric Telephoto Camera for Lunar Photography”
Synopsys Software Product: CODE V
Varley is a graduate student at the University of Rochester. Varley’s paper details the design and optimization process for a portable, high-resolution catadioptric telephoto camera specifically for lunar photography, using only spherical mirrors and lenses and based on an existing Canon patent. The final design, optimized to meet stringent performance criteria such as minimal vignetting and high modulation transfer function (MTF), successfully achieved a resolution capable of discerning lunar details like the Copernicus crater, making it suitable for high-resolution lunar photography.
"I am truly honored to have been selected for this award,” said Varley. “Working on the project and using CODE V to analyze and optimize various aspects to achieve the best outcomes of the design was thoroughly enjoyable. I would like to extend my thanks to Professor Julie Bentley and Professor Georg Nadorff for their invaluable guidance throughout this endeavor."
Congratulations to all the winners! We are incredibly proud of the innovative work these students have submitted using Synopsys Optical Solutions software. Their projects not only push the boundaries of optical design but also inspire future advancements in the field. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of their work in the optical and photonic industries.
About the Robert S. Hilbert Memorial Optical Design Competition
The annual Robert S. Hilbert Memorial Optical Design Competition recognizes excellence in student optical design projects. The competition was established in 2000 by Optical Research Associates (ORA®), now Synopsys Optical Solutions, and in 2009 was named in honor of ORA’s former president and chief executive officer, Robert S. Hilbert. To participate, students in North America can enter an optical design class assignment or thesis work that uses Synopsys optical design software. For more information, visit https://www.synopsys.com/optical-solutions/learn/competition.html.
For more information about university and other educational programs sponsored by Synopsys Optical Solutions, visit https://www.synopsys.com/optical-solutions/learn.html.