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Inverse Design of Optical Color Routers with Improved Fabrication Compatibility.

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Title: Inverse Design of Optical Color Routers with Improved Fabrication Compatibility.
Authors: Hossain, Sushmit1 (AUTHOR), Liu, Zerui1 (AUTHOR), Hiramony, Nishat Tasnim1 (AUTHOR), Hsu, Tinghao1 (AUTHOR), Roy, Himaddri1 (AUTHOR), Zhang, Hongming1 (AUTHOR), Wu, Wei1 (AUTHOR) wu.w@usc.edu
Source: Nanomaterials (2079-4991). Feb2026, Vol. 16 Issue 4, p251. 15p.
Subjects: Genetic algorithms, Finite difference time domain method, Optical devices, Light filters, CMOS image sensors, Design techniques
Abstract: We present a Genetic Algorithm (GA)-based inverse design framework for creating a single-layer, fabrication-compatible dielectric nano-patterned surface that enables efficient color routing in both transmissive and reflective optical systems. Unlike traditional multilayer or absorption-based color filters, the proposed structure employs a fabrication-compatible architecture that spatially routes red, green, and blue light into designated output channels, significantly enhancing light utilization and color fidelity. The design process integrates a GA with full-wave finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations to optimize the structural pillar height distribution, using a figure of merit that simultaneously maximizes optical efficiency and minimizes spectral crosstalk. For CMOS image sensor-scale designs, the nano-patterned surface achieved peak optical efficiencies of 76%, 72%, and 78% for blue, green, and red channels, respectively, with an average efficiency of 75.5%. Parametric studies further revealed the dependence of performance on pillar geometry, refractive index, and unit cell scaling, providing practical design insights for scalable fabrication using nanoimprint or grayscale lithography. Extending the approach to reflective displays, we demonstrate tunable-mirror-based architectures that emulate electrophoretic microcapsules, achieving efficient color reflection and an expanded color gamut beyond the sRGB standard. This single-layer, inverse-designed nano-patterned surface offers a high-performance and fabrication-ready solution for compact, energy-efficient imaging and display technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Nanomaterials (2079-4991) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Inverse Design of Optical Color Routers with Improved Fabrication Compatibility.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hossain%2C+Sushmit%22">Hossain, Sushmit</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Liu%2C+Zerui%22">Liu, Zerui</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hiramony%2C+Nishat+Tasnim%22">Hiramony, Nishat Tasnim</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hsu%2C+Tinghao%22">Hsu, Tinghao</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Roy%2C+Himaddri%22">Roy, Himaddri</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zhang%2C+Hongming%22">Zhang, Hongming</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wu%2C+Wei%22">Wu, Wei</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> wu.w@usc.edu</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Nanomaterials+%282079-4991%29%22">Nanomaterials (2079-4991)</searchLink>. Feb2026, Vol. 16 Issue 4, p251. 15p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Genetic+algorithms%22">Genetic algorithms</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Finite+difference+time+domain+method%22">Finite difference time domain method</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Optical+devices%22">Optical devices</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Light+filters%22">Light filters</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22CMOS+image+sensors%22">CMOS image sensors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Design+techniques%22">Design techniques</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: We present a Genetic Algorithm (GA)-based inverse design framework for creating a single-layer, fabrication-compatible dielectric nano-patterned surface that enables efficient color routing in both transmissive and reflective optical systems. Unlike traditional multilayer or absorption-based color filters, the proposed structure employs a fabrication-compatible architecture that spatially routes red, green, and blue light into designated output channels, significantly enhancing light utilization and color fidelity. The design process integrates a GA with full-wave finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations to optimize the structural pillar height distribution, using a figure of merit that simultaneously maximizes optical efficiency and minimizes spectral crosstalk. For CMOS image sensor-scale designs, the nano-patterned surface achieved peak optical efficiencies of 76%, 72%, and 78% for blue, green, and red channels, respectively, with an average efficiency of 75.5%. Parametric studies further revealed the dependence of performance on pillar geometry, refractive index, and unit cell scaling, providing practical design insights for scalable fabrication using nanoimprint or grayscale lithography. Extending the approach to reflective displays, we demonstrate tunable-mirror-based architectures that emulate electrophoretic microcapsules, achieving efficient color reflection and an expanded color gamut beyond the sRGB standard. This single-layer, inverse-designed nano-patterned surface offers a high-performance and fabrication-ready solution for compact, energy-efficient imaging and display technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Nanomaterials (2079-4991) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.3390/nano16040251
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        Text: English
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Finite difference time domain method
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      – SubjectFull: Optical devices
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      – SubjectFull: Design techniques
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      – TitleFull: Inverse Design of Optical Color Routers with Improved Fabrication Compatibility.
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              Text: Feb2026
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              Y: 2026
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