Inverse design of photonic structures using an artificial bee colony algorithm

We adapted the standard artificial bee colony algorithm for a binary search space in order to optimize photonic structures. The artificial bee colony algorithm in conjunction with the finite element method is applied for maximizing photonic bandgaps of photonic crystals. The proposed approach is assessed by two case studies assuming 2D photonic crystals comprised of silicon and air in a triangular lattice. The crystals were optimized to present large photonic bandgaps. The artificial bee colony algorithm presented superior performance when compared with that of a standard genetic algorithm, demonstrating an interesting approach to be used on the inverse design or optimization of photonic structures.