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2025Activity report‌​‌Project-TeamATLANTIS

RNSR: 202023535Z​​
  • Research center Inria Centre​​​‌ at Université Côte d'Azur‌
  • In partnership with:CNRS,‌​‌ Université Côte d'Azur
  • Team​​ name: modeling and numerical​​​‌ methods for computATionaL wave-mAtter‌ iNteracTIons at the nanoScale‌​‌
  • In collaboration with:Laboratoire​​ Jean-Alexandre Dieudonné (JAD)

Creation​​​‌ of the Project-Team: 2020‌ February 01

Each year,‌​‌ Inria research teams publish​​​‌ an Activity Report presenting​ their work and results​‌ over the reporting period.​​ These reports follow a​​​‌ common structure, with some​ optional sections depending on​‌ the specific team. They​​ typically begin by outlining​​​‌ the overall objectives and​ research programme, including the​‌ main research themes, goals,​​ and methodological approaches. They​​​‌ also describe the application​ domains targeted by the​‌ team, highlighting the scientific​​ or societal contexts in​​​‌ which their work is​ situated.

The reports then​‌ present the highlights of​​ the year, covering major​​​‌ scientific achievements, software developments,​ or teaching contributions. When​‌ relevant, they include sections​​ on software, platforms, and​​​‌ open data, detailing the​ tools developed and how​‌ they are shared. A​​ substantial part is dedicated​​​‌ to new results, where​ scientific contributions are described​‌ in detail, often with​​ subsections specifying participants and​​​‌ associated keywords.

Finally, the​ Activity Report addresses funding,​‌ contracts, partnerships, and collaborations​​ at various levels, from​​​‌ industrial agreements to international​ cooperations. It also covers​‌ dissemination and teaching activities,​​ such as participation in​​​‌ scientific events, outreach, and​ supervision. The document concludes​‌ with a presentation of​​ scientific production, including major​​​‌ publications and those produced​ during the year.

Keywords​‌

Computer Science and Digital​​ Science

  • A1.1.4. High performance​​​‌ computing
  • A1.1.5. Exascale
  • A6.1.5.​ Multiphysics modeling
  • A6.2.1. Numerical​‌ analysis of PDE and​​ ODE
  • A6.2.6. Optimization
  • A6.2.7.​​​‌ HPC for machine learning​
  • A6.3.4. Model reduction
  • A6.5.4.​‌ Waves
  • A9.2.5. Bayesian methods​​
  • A9.2.6. Neural networks
  • A9.2.8.​​​‌ Deep learning

Other Research​ Topics and Application Domains​‌

  • B4. Energy
  • B4.3.4. Solar​​ Energy
  • B5.3. Nanotechnology
  • B5.5.​​​‌ Materials
  • B8. Smart Cities​ and Territories
  • B8.2. Connected​‌ city

1 Team members,​​ visitors, external collaborators

Research​​​‌ Scientists

  • Stéphane Lanteri [​Team leader, INRIA​‌, Senior Researcher,​​ HDR]
  • Mahmoud Elsawy​​​‌ [INRIA, ISFP​, HDR]

Faculty​‌ Members

  • Stéphane Descombes [​​Université Côte d'Azur,​​​‌ Professor, HDR]​
  • Claire Scheid [Université​‌ Côte d'Azur, Associate​​ Professor Delegation, from​​​‌ Sep 2025, HDR​]
  • Claire Scheid [​‌Université Côte d'Azur,​​ Associate Professor, until​​​‌ Aug 2025, HDR​]

Post-Doctoral Fellows

  • Ayoub​‌ Bellouch [Inria,​​ Post-Doctoral Fellow, until​​​‌ Sep 2025]
  • Alemayehu​ Getahun Kumela [Inria​‌, Post-Doctoral Fellow]​​
  • Francisco Teixeira Orlandini [​​​‌Inria, Post-Doctoral Fellow​, from Sep 2025​‌]

PhD Students

  • Arthur​​ Clini De Souza [​​​‌Solnil, CIFRE]​
  • Carlotta Filippin [Inria​‌]
  • Roman Gelly [​​Université Côte d'Azur]​​​‌
  • Daria Hrebenshchykova [Inria​]
  • Enzo Isnard [​‌Thales Research & Technology​​, CIFRE, until​​​‌ Oct 2025]
  • Thibault​ Laufroy [Université Côte​‌ d'Azur]
  • Cedric Legrand​​ [Université Côte d'Azur​​​‌]
  • Martin Lepers [​STMicroelectronics, CIFRE]
  • Huynh​‌ Thanh Phuong [​​Inria, from Jul​​​‌ 2025]
  • Florentin Proust​ [Université Côte d'Azur​‌, from Nov 2025​​]
  • Florentin Proust [​​​‌Inria, until Oct​ 2025]
  • Alexandre Pugin​‌ [Inria]

Technical​​ Staff

  • Alexis Gobe [​​​‌Inria, Engineer]​
  • Arthur Gouinguenet [CNRS​‌, Engineer, until​​ May 2025]
  • Enzo​​ Isnard [Inria,​​​‌ Engineer, from Dec‌ 2025]
  • Alan Youssef‌​‌ [Inria, Engineer​​, until Jun 2025​​​‌]

Interns and Apprentices‌

  • Julien Noel [Inria‌​‌, Apprentice, until​​ Aug 2025]

Administrative​​​‌ Assistant

  • Delphine Robache [‌Inria]

2 Overall‌​‌ objectives

Nanostructuring of materials​​ has paved the way​​​‌ for manipulating and enhancing‌ wave-matter interactions, thereby opening‌​‌ the door for the​​ full control of these​​​‌ interactions at the nanoscale.‌ In particular, the interaction‌​‌ of light waves (or​​ more general optical waves​​​‌) with matter is‌ a subject of rapidly‌​‌ increasing scientific importance and​​ technological relevance. Indeed, the​​​‌ corresponding science, referred to‌ as nanophotonics59,‌​‌ aims at using nanoscale​​ light-matter interactions to achieve​​​‌ an unprecedented level of‌ control on light. Nanophotonics‌​‌ encompasses a wide variety​​ of topics, including metamaterials,​​​‌ plasmonics, high resolution imaging,‌ quantum nanophotonics and functional‌​‌ photonic materials. Previously viewed​​ as a largely academic​​​‌ field, nanophotonics is now‌ entering the mainstream, and‌​‌ will play a major​​ role in the development​​​‌ of exciting new products,‌ ranging from high efficiency‌​‌ solar cells, to personalized​​ health monitoring devices able​​​‌ to detect the chemical‌ composition of molecules at‌​‌ ultralow concentrations. Plasmonics 62​​ is a field closely​​​‌ related to nanophotonics. Metallic‌ nanostructures whose optical scattering‌​‌ is dominated by the​​ response of the conduction​​​‌ electrons are considered as‌ plasmonic media. If the‌​‌ metallic structure presents an​​ interface with a positive​​​‌ dielectric permittivity, collective oscillations‌ of surface electrons create‌​‌ waves (called surface plasmons)​​ that are guided along​​​‌ the interface, with the‌ unique characteristic of subwavelength-scale‌​‌ confinement. Nanofabricated systems that​​ exploit these plasmon waves​​​‌ offer fascinating opportunities for‌ crafting and controlling the‌​‌ propagation of light in​​ matter. In particular, it​​​‌ can be used to‌ channel light efficiently into‌​‌ nanometer-scale volumes. As light​​ is squeezed down into​​​‌ nanoscale volumes, field enhancement‌ effects occur resulting in‌​‌ new optical phenomena that​​ can be exploited to​​​‌ challenge existing technological limits‌ and deliver superior photonic‌​‌ devices. The resulting enhanced​​ sensitivity of light to​​​‌ external parameters (for example,‌ an applied electric field‌​‌ or the dielectric constant​​ of an adsorbed molecular​​​‌ layer) shows also great‌ promises for applications in‌​‌ sensing and switching.

In​​ ATLANTIS, our research activities​​​‌ aim at studying and‌ impacting some scientific and‌​‌ technological challenges raised by​​ physical problems involving optical​​​‌ waves in interaction with‌ nanostructured matter. A crucial‌​‌ component in the implementation​​ of this scientific endeavor​​​‌ lies in a close‌ networking with physicists who‌​‌ bring the experimental counterpart​​ of the proposed research.​​​‌ Driven by a number‌ of nanophotonics-related physical drivers,‌​‌ our overall objectives are​​ to design and develop​​​‌ innovative numerical methodologies for‌ the simulation of nanoscale‌​‌ light-matter interactions and to​​ demonstrate their capabilities by​​​‌ studying challenging applications in‌ close collaboration with our‌​‌ physicist partners. On the​​ methodological side, the Discontinous​​​‌ Galerkin (DG) family of‌ methods is a cornerstone‌​‌ of our contributions. In​​ particular, we study various​​​‌ variants of DG methods‌ that can deal with‌​‌ complex material models and​​​‌ coupled PDE systems that​ are relevant to the​‌ study of nanoscale light-matter​​ interactions. Moreover, mathematical modeling​​​‌ is a central activity​ of the team, in​‌ particular for shaping initial​​ and boundary value problems​​​‌ in view of devising​ accurate, efficient and robust​‌ numerical methods in the​​ presence of multiple space​​​‌ and time scales or/and​ geometrical singularities. Additional methodological​‌ topics that are considered​​ in close collaboration with​​​‌ colleagues from other Inria​ teams or external applied​‌ mathematics research groups are​​ model order reduction, inverse​​​‌ design. Novel methodological contributions​ on these topics in​‌ the context of the​​ physical problems studied in​​​‌ ATLANTIS are eventually implemented​ in the DIOGENeS software​‌ suite, which is a​​ unique software plaform dedicated​​​‌ to computational nanophotonics.

3​ Research program

3.1 Driving​‌ physical fields

Our research​​ activities eventually materialize as​​​‌ innovative computational techniques for​ studying concrete questions and​‌ applications that are tightly​​ linked to specific physical​​​‌ fields (driving physical fields)​ related to nanophotonics and​‌ plasmonics. In most cases,​​ these scientific topics and​​​‌ applications are addressed in​ close collaboration with physicists.​‌

Quantum plasmonics. The physical​​ phenomena involved in the​​​‌ deep confinement of light​ when interacting with matter​‌ opens a major route​​ for novel nanoscale devices​​​‌ design. Indeed, the recent​ progress of fabrication at​‌ the nanoscale makes it​​ possible to conceive metallic​​​‌ structures with increasingly large​ size mismatch, in which​‌ microscale devices can be​​ characterized by sub-nanometer features​​​‌ 55. These advances​ have also allowed to​‌ achieve spatial separation between​​ metallic elements of only​​​‌ few nanometers 53.​ At such sizes quantum​‌ effects become non-negligible, producing​​ huge variations in the​​​‌ macroscopic optical response. Following​ this evolution, the quantum​‌ plasmonics field has emerged,​​ and with it the​​​‌ possibility of building quantum-controled​ devices, such as single​‌ photon sources, transistors and​​ ultra-compact circuitry at the​​​‌ nanoscale. In ATLANTIS, we​ study novel numerical modeling​‌ methods for solving some​​ semi-classical models of quantum​​​‌ plasmonic effects such as​ in the context of​‌ the PhD work of​​ Nikolkai Schmitt 69-​​​‌24.

Planar optics.​ Nanostructuring of matter can​‌ be tailored to shape,​​ control wavefront and achieve​​​‌ unusual device operations. Recent​ years have seen tremendous​‌ advances in the fabrication​​ and understanding of two-dimensional​​​‌ (2D) materials, giving rise​ to the field of​‌ planar optics. In particular,​​ the concept of quasi-2D​​​‌ metasurfaces has started to​ develop into an exciting​‌ research area, where nanostructured​​ surfaces are designed for​​​‌ novel functionalities 60-​54-56.​‌ Metasurfaces are planar metamaterials​​ with subwavelength thickness, consisting​​​‌ of single-layer or few-layer​ stacks of nanostructures. They​‌ can be readily fabricated​​ using lithography and nanoprinting​​​‌ methods, and the ultrathin​ thickness in the wave​‌ propagation direction can greatly​​ suppress the undesirable losses.​​​‌ Metasurfaces enable a spatially​ varying optical response (e.g.​‌ scattering amplitude, phase, and​​ polarization). They mold optical​​​‌ wavefronts into shapes that​ can be designed at​‌ will, and facilitate the​​ integration of functional materials​​​‌ to accomplish active control​ and greatly enhanced nonlinear​‌ response. Our first contributions​​ on this topic have​​ been obtained in the​​​‌ context of the ANR‌ OPERA project (completed in‌​‌ September 2022) and are​​ concerned with numerical modeling​​​‌ methods for the inverge‌ design of metasurfaces 11‌​‌-9 and metalenses​​ 10.

Thermoplasmonics. Plasmonic​​​‌ resonances can be exploited‌ for many applications 62‌​‌. In particular, the​​ strong local field enhancement​​​‌ associated with the plasmonic‌ resonances of a metallic‌​‌ nanostructure, together with the​​ absorption properties of the​​​‌ metal, induce a photo-thermal‌ energy conversion. Thus, in‌​‌ the vicinity of the​​ nanostructure, the temperature increases.​​​‌ These effects, viewed as‌ ohmic losses, have been‌​‌ for a long time​​ considered as a severe​​​‌ drawback for the realization‌ of efficient devices. However,‌​‌ the possibility to control​​ this temperature rise with​​​‌ the illumination wavelength or‌ polarization has gathered strong‌​‌ interest in the nano-optics​​ community, establishing the basis​​​‌ of thermoplasmonics 51.‌ By increasing temperature in‌​‌ their surroundings, metal nanostructures​​ can be used as​​​‌ integrated heat nanosources. Decisive‌ advances are foreseen in‌​‌ nanomedicine with applications in​​ photothermal cancer therapy, nano-surgery,​​​‌ drug delivery, photothermal imaging,‌ protein tracking, photoacoustic imaging,‌​‌ but also in nano-chemistry,​​ optofluidics, solar and thermal​​​‌ energy harvesting (thermophotovoltaics).

Optoelectronics‌ and nanoelectronics. Semiconductors also‌​‌ play a major role​​ in leveraging nanoscale light-matter​​​‌ interactions. Emission or absorption‌ of light by a‌​‌ semiconductor is at the​​ heart of optoelectronics, which​​​‌ is concerned with devices‌ that source, detect or‌​‌ control light. Photodiodes, solar​​ cells, light emitting diodes​​​‌ (LEDs), optical fibers and‌ semiconductor lasers are some‌​‌ typical examples of optoelectronic​​ devices. The attractive properties​​​‌ of these devices is‌ based on their efficiency‌​‌ in converting light into​​ electrical signals (or vice​​​‌ versa). Using a structuration‌ with low dimensional materials‌​‌ and carrier-photons interaction, optoelectronics​​ aims at improving the​​​‌ quality of these systems.‌ A closeby field is‌​‌ nanoelectronics 63, i.e.,​​ the physical field that,​​​‌ while incorporating manufacturing constraints,‌ tries to describe and‌​‌ understand the influence of​​ the nanostructuration of electronic​​​‌ devices on their electronic‌ properties. This area has‌​‌ quickly evolved with the​​ increasing fabrication capabilities. One​​​‌ striking motivating example is‌ the drastic increase of‌​‌ the number of transistors​​ (of a few nanometer​​​‌ size) per chip on‌ integrated circuits. At the‌​‌ achieved nanostructuration scales, inter-atomic​​ forces, tunneling or quantum​​​‌ mechanical properties have a‌ non-negligible impact. A full‌​‌ understanding of these effects​​ is mandatory for exploiting​​​‌ them in the design‌ of electronic components, thereby‌​‌ improving their characteristics.

3.2​​ Research agenda

The processes​​​‌ that underly the above-described‌ physical fields raise a‌​‌ number of modeling challenges​​ that motivate our research​​​‌ agenda:

  • They exhibit multiple‌ space and time scales;‌​‌
  • They are highly sensitive​​ to exquisite geometrical features​​​‌ of nanostructures and matter‌ nanostructuring;
  • They impose dealing‌​‌ with unconventional material models;​​
  • They may require to​​​‌ leave the comfortable setting‌ of linear differential models;‌​‌
  • Some of them are​​ inherently multiphysics processes.

3.2.1​​​‌ Core research topics

Our‌ research activities are organized‌​‌ around core theoretical and​​ methodological topics to address​​​‌ the above-listed modeling challenges.‌

High order DG methods.‌​‌ Designing numerical schemes that​​​‌ are high order accurate​ on general meshes, i.e.,​‌ unstructured or hybrid structured/unstructured​​ meshes, is a major​​​‌ objective of our core​ research activities in ATLANTIS.​‌ We focus on the​​ family of Discontinuous Galerkin​​​‌ (DG) methods that has​ been extensively developed for​‌ wave propagation problems during​​ the last 15 years.​​​‌ We investigate several variants,​ namely nodal DGTD for​‌ time-domain problems, and HDG​​ (Hybridized DG) for frequency-domain​​​‌ problems, with the general​ goal of devising, analyzing​‌ and developing extensions of​​ these methods in order​​​‌ to deal with the​ above-mentioned physical drivers: nonlinear​‌ features, in particular in​​ relation with generation of​​​‌ higher order harmonics in​ electromagnetic wave interaction with​‌ nonlinear materials, and nonlinear​​ models of electronic response​​​‌ in metallic and semiconductor​ materials; multiphysic couplings such​‌ as for instance when​​ considering PDE models relevant​​​‌ to thermoplasmonics, optoelectronics and​ nanoelectronics. There are to​‌ date very few works​​ promoting DG-type methods for​​​‌ these situations. Our methodological​ contributions of these methods​‌ eventually materialize in the​​ DIOGENeS software suite.

Time​​​‌ integration for multiscale problems.​ Multiscale physical problems with​‌ complex geometries or heterogeneous​​ media are extremely challenging​​​‌ for conventional numerical simulations.​ Adaptive mesh refinement is​‌ an attractive technique for​​ treating such problems and​​​‌ will be developed in​ our research activities in​‌ ATLANTIS. Local mesh refinement​​ imposes a severe stability​​​‌ condition on explicit time​ integration since the allowed​‌ maximal time step size​​ is constrained by the​​​‌ smallest element in the​ mesh. We consider different​‌ ways to overcome this​​ stability condition, especially by​​​‌ using implicit-explicit (IMEX) methods​ where a time implicit​‌ scheme is used only​​ for the refined part​​​‌ of the mesh, and​ a time explicit scheme​‌ is used for the​​ other part.

Reduced-order and​​​‌ surrogate modeling. Reduced-order modeling​ aims at reducing the​‌ computational requirements of costly​​ high-fidelity solution methods while​​​‌ maintaining an acceptable level​ of accuracy. One of​‌ the most studied methods​​ for establishing the reduced-order​​​‌ model is the Proper​ Orthogonal Decomposition (POD), also​‌ known as Karhunen-Loéve decomposition,​​ principal component analysis, or​​​‌ singular value decomposition, which​ uses the solutions of​‌ high fidelity numerical simulations​​ or experiments at certain​​​‌ time instants, typically called​ snapshots, to compute​‌ a set of POD​​ basis vectors spanning a​​​‌ low-dimensional space. POD is​ very popular in the​‌ computational fluid dynamics field.​​ However, the development of​​​‌ POD for electromagnetics has​ been more scarce. We​‌ study POD-based reduced-order modeling​​ strategies in the context​​​‌ of a long term​ collaboration that has started​‌ in 2018 with researchers​​ at the School of​​​‌ Mathematical Sciences of the​ University of Electronic Science​‌ and Technology of China​​ and Southwest University of​​​‌ Finance & Economics, which​ are both located in​‌ Chengdu. In the context​​ of this collabortaion, we​​​‌ have proposed and developed​ several reduced-order modeling techniques,​‌ from intrusive to fully​​ data-driven and non-intrusive methods,​​​‌ for time-domain electromagnetics. Alternatively,​ several works in the​‌ recent years have promoted​​ highly efficient surrogate modeling​​​‌ approaches based on Deep​ Neural Networks (DNNs) to​‌ achieve non-linear reduced-order modeling.​​ This is also a​​ novel direction of investigation​​​‌ that we have started‌ to consider in 2023‌​‌ in the team.

Scientific​​ Machine Learning. Scientific Machine​​​‌ Learning (SciML) is a‌ relatively new research field‌​‌ based on both machine​​ learning (ML) and scientific​​​‌ computing tools. Its aim‌ is the development of‌​‌ new methods to solve​​ several kinds of problems,​​​‌ which can be forward‌ solution of multidimensional partial‌​‌ differential equations, identification of​​ parameters, or inverse problems.​​​‌ The methods that are‌ investigated in this context‌​‌ must be robust, reliable​​ and interpretable. These new​​​‌ SciML tools should also‌ allow the natural inclusion‌​‌ of data in the​​ numerical simulation in order​​​‌ to generate new results.‌ We initiated in 2022‌​‌ a new research direction​​ on a particular family​​​‌ of DNNs referred as‌ Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs)‌​‌ 67 that we investigate​​ for PDE models that​​​‌ are relevant to nanophotonics‌ with the goal of‌​‌ designing non-intrusive surrogate modeling​​ approaches that require a​​​‌ minimal amount of training‌ data.

Dealing with complex‌​‌ materials. Physically relevant simulations​​ deal with increasing levels​​​‌ of complexity in the‌ geometrical and/or physical characteristics‌​‌ of nanostructures, as well​​ as their interaction with​​​‌ light. Standard simulation methods‌ may fail to reproduce‌​‌ the underlying physical phenomena,​​ therefore motivating the search​​​‌ for more sophisticated light-matter‌ interaction numerical modeling strategies.‌​‌ A first direction consists​​ in refining classical linear​​​‌ dispersion models and we‌ put a special focus‌​‌ on deriving a complete​​ hierarchy of models, that​​​‌ will encompass standard linear‌ models to more complex‌​‌ and nonlinear ones (such​​ as Kerr-type materials, nonlinear​​​‌ quantum hydrodynamic theory models,‌ etc.). One possible approach‌​‌ relies on an accurate​​ description of the Hamiltonian​​​‌ dynamics with intricate kinetic‌ and exchange correlation energies,‌​‌ for different modeling purposes.​​ A second direction is​​​‌ motivated by the study‌ of 2D materials. A‌​‌ major concern is centered​​ around the choice of​​​‌ the modeling approach between‌ a full costly 3D‌​‌ modeling and the use​​ of equivalent boundary conditions,​​​‌ that could in all‌ generality be nonlinear. Assessing‌​‌ these two directions requires​​ efficient dedicated numerical algorithms​​​‌ that are able to‌ tackle several types of‌​‌ nonlinearities and scales.

Dealing​​ with coupled models. Several​​​‌ of our target physical‌ fields are multiphysics in‌​‌ essence and require going​​ beyond the sole description​​​‌ of the electromagnetic response.‌ In thermoplasmonics, the various‌​‌ phenomena (heat transfer through​​ light concentration, bubbles formation​​​‌ and dynamics) call for‌ different kinds of governing‌​‌ PDEs (Maxwell, conduction, fluid​​ dynamics). Since, in addition,​​​‌ these phenomena can occur‌ in significatively different space‌​‌ and time scales, drawing​​ a quite complete picture​​​‌ of the underlying physics‌ is a challenging task,‌​‌ both in terms of​​ modeling and numerical treatment.​​​‌ In the nanoelectronics field,‌ an accurate description of‌​‌ the electronic properties involves​​ including quantum effects. A​​​‌ coupling between Maxwell’s and‌ Schrödinger's equations (again at‌​‌ significantly different time and​​ space scales) is a​​​‌ possible relevant scenario. In‌ the optoelectronics field, the‌​‌ accurate prediction of semiconductors​​ optical properties is a​​​‌ major concern. A possible‌ strategy may require to‌​‌ solve both the electromagnetic​​​‌ and the drift-diffusion equations.​ In all these aforementioned​‌ examples, difficulties mainly arise​​ both from the differences​​​‌ in physical nature as​ well as in the​‌ time/space scales at which​​ each physical phenomenon occurs.​​​‌ Accurately modeling/solving their coupled​ interactions remains a formidable​‌ challenge.

High performance computing​​ (HPC). HPC is transversal​​​‌ to almost all the​ other research topics considered​‌ in the team, and​​ is concerned with both​​​‌ numerical algorithm design and​ software development. We work​‌ toward taking advantage of​​ fine grain massively parallel​​​‌ processing offered by GPUs​ in modern exascale architectures,​‌ by revisiting the algorithmic​​ structure of the computationally​​​‌ intensive numerical kernels of​ the high order DG-based​‌ solvers that we develop​​ in the framework of​​​‌ the DIOGENeS software suite.​

3.2.2 Complementary topics

Beside​‌ the above-discussed core research​​ topics, we have also​​​‌ identified additional topics that​ are important or compulsory​‌ in view of maximizing​​ the impact in nanophotonics​​​‌ or nanophononics of our​ core activities and methodological​‌ contributions.

Numerical optimization. Inverse​​ design has emerged rather​​​‌ recently in nanophotonics, and​ is currently the subject​‌ of intense research as​​ witnessed by several reviews​​​‌ 64. Artificial Intelligence​ (AI) techniques are also​‌ increasingly investigated within this​​ context 70. In​​​‌ ATLANTIS, we will extend​ the modeling capabilities of​‌ the DIOGENeS software suite​​ by using statistical learning​​​‌ techniques for the inverse​ design of nanophotonic devices.​‌ When it is linked​​ to the simulation of​​​‌ a realistic 3D problem​ making use of one​‌ of the high order​​ DG and HDG solvers​​​‌ we develop, the evaluation​ of a figure of​‌ merit is a costly​​ process. Since a sufficiently​​​‌ large input data set​ of candidate designs, as​‌ required by using Deep​​ Learning (DL), is generally​​​‌ not available, global optimization​ strategies relying on Gaussian​‌ Process (GP) models are​​ considered in the first​​​‌ place. This activity will​ be conducted in close​‌ collaboration with researchers of​​ the ACUMES project-team. In​​​‌ particular, we investigate GP-based​ inverse design strategies that​‌ were initially developed for​​ optimization studies in relation​​​‌ with fluid flow problems​ 57-58 and​‌ fluid-structure interaction problems 68​​.

Uncertainty analysis and​​​‌ quantification. The automatic inverse​ design of nanophotonic devices​‌ enables scientists and engineers​​ to explore a wide​​​‌ design space and to​ maximize a device performance.​‌ However, due to the​​ large uncertainty in the​​​‌ nanofabrication process, one may​ not be able to​‌ obtain a deterministic value​​ of the objective, and​​​‌ the objective may vary​ dramatically with respect to​‌ a small variation in​​ uncertain parameters. Therefore, one​​​‌ has to take into​ account the uncertainty in​‌ simulations and adopt a​​ robust design model 61​​​‌. We study this​ topic in close collaboration​‌ with researchers of the​​ ACUMES project-team one on​​​‌ hand, and researchers at​ TU Braunschweig in Germany.​‌

Numerical linear algebra. Sparse​​ linear systems routinely appear​​​‌ when discretizing frequency-domain wave-matter​ interaction PDE problems. In​‌ the past, we have​​ considered direct methods, as​​​‌ well as domain decomposition​ preconditioning coupled with iterative​‌ algorithms to solve such​​ linear systems 21.​​ In the future, we​​​‌ would like to further‌ enhance the efficiency of‌​‌ our solvers by considering​​ state-of-the-art linear algebra techniques​​​‌ such as block Krylov‌ subspace methods 50,‌​‌ or low-rank compression techniques​​ 66. We will​​​‌ also focus on multi-incidence‌ problems in periodic structures,‌​‌ that are relevant to​​ metagrating or metasurface design.​​​‌ Indeed, such problems lead‌ to the resolution of‌​‌ several sparse linear systems​​ that slightly differ from​​​‌ one another and could‌ benefit from dedicated solution‌​‌ algorithms. We will collaborate​​ with researchers of the​​​‌ CONCACE (Inria center at‌ Université de Bordeaux) industrial‌​‌ project-team to develop efficient​​ and scalable solution strategies​​​‌ for such questions.

4‌ Application domains

Nanoscale wave-matter‌​‌ interactions find many applications​​ of industrial and societal​​​‌ relevance. The applications discussed‌ in this section are‌​‌ those that we address​​ in the first place​​​‌ in the short- to‌ medium-term. Our general goal‌​‌ is to impact scientific​​ discovery and technological development​​​‌ in these application topics‌ by leveraging our methodological‌​‌ contributions for the numerical​​ modeling of nanoscale wave-matter​​​‌ interactions, and working in‌ close collaboration with external‌​‌ partners either from the​​ academic or the industrial​​​‌ world. Each of these‌ applications is linked to‌​‌ one or more of​​ the driving physical fields​​​‌ described in section 3.1‌ except nanoelectronics that we‌​‌ consider as a more​​ prospective, hence long-term application.​​​‌

4.1 Nanostructures for sunlight‌ harvesting

Photovoltaics (PV) converts‌​‌ photon energy from the​​ sun into electric energy.​​​‌ One of the major‌ challenges of the PV‌​‌ sector is to achieve​​ high conversion efficiencies at​​​‌ low cost. Indeed, the‌ ultimate success of PV‌​‌ cell technology requires substantial​​ progress in both cost​​​‌ reduction and efficiency improvement.‌ An actively studied approach‌​‌ to simultaneously achieve both​​ objectives is to exploit​​​‌ light trapping schemes. Light‌ trapping enables solar cells‌​‌ absorption using an active​​ material layer much thinner​​​‌ than the material intrinsic‌ absorption length. This then‌​‌ reduces the amount of​​ materials used in PV​​​‌ cells, cuts cell cost,‌ facilitates mass production of‌​‌ these cells that are​​ based on less abundant​​​‌ material and moreover can‌ improve cell efficiency (due‌​‌ to better collection of​​ photogenerated charge carriers). Enhancing​​​‌ the light absorption in‌ ultrathin film silicon solar‌​‌ cells is thus of​​ paramount importance for improving​​​‌ efficiency and reducing costs.‌ Our activities in relation‌​‌ with this application field​​ aim at precisely studying​​​‌ light absorption in nanostructured‌ solar cell structures (see‌​‌ Fig. 1). We​​ consider both the accurate​​​‌ simulation of light trapping‌ for a given texturing‌​‌ of material layers, and​​ the goal-oriented inverse design​​​‌ of the geometrical characteristics‌ of nanostructuring. This application‌​‌ domain is studied in​​ collaboration with physicists from​​​‌ C2N (Centre for Nanosciences‌ and Nanotechnology) in Campus‌​‌ Paris-Saclay), from LAAS (Laboratoire​​ d'Analyse et d'Architecture des​​​‌ Systèmes) in Toulouse and‌ from the Fraunhofer-Institut für‌​‌ Solare Energiesysteme ISE in​​ Freiburg, Germany.

Figure 1

The image​​​‌ shows a 3D visualization‌ of a numerical simulation‌​‌ or computational model. It​​ features a rectangular block​​​‌ with a grid-like mesh,‌ colored with a gradient‌​‌ from blue to red.​​​‌ Blue regions represent lower​ values, and red regions​‌ indicate higher values, showing​​ varying intensities. The block​​​‌ appears to have two​ extensions or protrusions on​‌ the right side, also​​ covered in the same​​​‌ grid pattern. The visualization​ represents electric field distribution.​‌

Figure 1: Example​​ of a PV cell​​​‌ with nanocone gratings. Field​ map of the module​‌ of the electric field.​​

4.2 Metasurfaces for light​​​‌ front shaping

In the​ last decade metasurfaces have​‌ revolutionized the field of​​ optics with the promise​​​‌ to replace bulky and​ difficult-to-align optical components with​‌ ultrathin and flat devices​​ like metagratings, metalenses and​​​‌ metaholograms, which can also​ implement new functionalities in​‌ terms of aberrations correction​​ and arbitrary wavefront shaping.​​​‌ Metasurfaces produce abrupt changes​ over the scale of​‌ the free-space wavelength in​​ the phase, amplitude and/or​​​‌ polarization of a light​ beam. Metasurfaces are generally​‌ created by assembling arrays​​ of miniature, anisotropic light​​​‌ scatterers, e.g., resonators such​ as optical antennas. The​‌ spacing between antennas and​​ their dimensions are much​​​‌ smaller than the wavelength.​ As a result the​‌ metasurfaces, on account of​​ Huygens principle, are able​​​‌ to mould optical wavefronts​ into arbitrary shapes with​‌ subwavelength resolution by introducing​​ spatial variations in the​​​‌ optical response of the​ light scatterers (see Fig.​‌ 2). Designing metasurfaces​​ for realistic applications such​​​‌ as metalenses is a​ challenging inverse problem. In​‌ this context, an important​​ line of research of​​​‌ the team during the​ last years has been​‌ dedicated to improve the​​ capabilities of these numerical​​​‌ tools to produce novel​ inverse design methodologies for​‌ optical metasurfaces. This application​​ domain is studied in​​​‌ collaboration with several groups​ of physicists in France​‌ and abroad, in particular​​ from CRHEA (Centre de​​​‌ Recherche sur l'Hétéro-Epitaxie et​ ses Applications) in Sophia​‌ Antipolis, MPQ (Matériaux et​​ Phénomènes Quantiques) at Université​​​‌ Paris Cité and EPFL​ in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Figure 2

The​‌ image depicts a data​​ processing flow. The first​​​‌ part shows an input​ array of vertical lines​‌ being transformed through a​​ series of curved lines​​​‌ into an output array​ with some green sections.​‌ This output is then​​ filtered, resulting in two​​​‌ versions: one with thin​ vertical lines and another​‌ with thicker lines. The​​ thicker version is further​​​‌ processed, highlighting certain elements​ and indicating a selection​‌ or extraction process with​​ arrows pointing to a​​​‌ detailed segment of the​ array. This data processing​‌ flow illustrates how light​​ can be shaped by​​​‌ a nanostructured interface.

Figure​ 2: Different light​‌ front shaping schemes with​​ a metasurface.

4.3 Nanostructuring​​​‌ for THz wave generation​

Recent research on the​‌ interaction of short optical​​ pulses with semiconductors has​​​‌ stimulated the development of​ low power terahertz (THz)​‌ radiation transmitters. The THz​​ spectral range of electromagnetic​​​‌ waves (0.1 to 10​ THz) is of great​‌ interest. In particular, it​​ includes the excitation frequencies​​​‌ of semiconductors and dielectrics,​ as well as rotational​‌ and vibrational resonances of​​ complex molecules. As a​​​‌ result, THz waves have​ many applications in areas​‌ ranging from the detection​​ of dangerous or illicit​​ substances and biological sensing​​​‌ to diagnosis and diseases‌ treatment in medicine. The‌​‌ most common mecanism of​​ THz generation is based​​​‌ on the use of‌ THz photoconductive antennas (PCA),‌​‌ consisting of two electrodes​​ spaced by a given​​​‌ gap and placed onto‌ a semiconductor surface. The‌​‌ excitation of the gap​​ by a femtosecond optical​​​‌ pulse induces a sharp‌ increase of the concentration‌​‌ of charge carriers for​​ a short period of​​​‌ time, and a THz‌ pulse is generated. Computer‌​‌ simulation plays a central​​ role in understanding and​​​‌ mastering these phenomena in‌ order to improve the‌​‌ design of PCA devices.​​ The numerical modeling of​​​‌ a general 3D PCA‌ configuration is a challenging‌​‌ task. Indeed, it requires​​ the simultaneous solution of​​​‌ charge transport in the‌ semiconductor substrate and the‌​‌ electromagnetic wave radiation from​​ the antenna in fullwave​​​‌ context. The recently-introduced concept‌ of hybrid photoconductive antennas‌​‌ leveraging plasmonic effects is​​ even more challenging since​​​‌ it requires to include‌ plasmonic nanostructures in the‌​‌ modeling setting. So far,​​ existing simulation approaches are​​​‌ based on the Finite‌ Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method,‌​‌ and are only able​​ to deal with classical​​​‌ PCAs. In relation with‌ the design of photonic‌​‌ devices for THz waves​​ generation and manipulation, we​​​‌ intend to develop a‌ multiscale numerical modeling strategy‌​‌ for solving the system​​ of Maxwell equations coupled​​​‌ to various models of‌ charge carrier dynamics in‌​‌ semiconductors. Our first achievements​​ on this topic have​​​‌ been obtained in the‌ context of the PhD‌​‌ thesis of Massimiliano Montone​​ defended in June 2023​​​‌ (see Fig. 3).‌

The image depicts a‌​‌ rectangular area with two​​ distinct sections. The top​​​‌ and bottom regions are‌ filled with an orange‌​‌ hue and contain a​​ triangular mesh grid. The​​​‌ central section is green‌ and has a denser‌​‌ triangular mesh grid, giving​​ it a different texture​​​‌ from the orange sections.‌ The central green area‌​‌ appears to be an​​ embedded structure within the​​​‌ larger rectangular frame. This‌ image illsutrates a resonant‌​‌ nanostructure.

Figure 3:​​ Left: unstructured mesh of​​​‌ a model of a‌ plasmon-enhanced antenna. Right: concurrent‌​‌ snapshots of photo-generation and​​ electron concentration at relevant​​​‌ times in the illuminated‌ region of a plasmon-enhanced‌​‌ antenna. Times are marked​​ in ps, in ascending​​​‌ order, from the top‌ to the bottom.

4.4‌​‌ Plasmonic nanostructures for nanoscale​​ sensing

The propagation of​​​‌ light in a slit‌ between metals is known‌​‌ to give rise to​​ guided modes. When the​​​‌ slit is of nanometric‌ size, plasmonic effects must‌​‌ be taken into account,​​ since most of the​​​‌ mode propagates inside the‌ metal. Indeed, light experiences‌​‌ an important slowing-down in​​ the slit, the resulting​​​‌ mode being called gap‌ plasmon. Hence, a metallic‌​‌ structure presenting a nanometric​​ slit can act as​​​‌ a light trap, i.e.‌ light will accumulate in‌​‌ a reduced space and​​ lead to very intense,​​​‌ localized fields. Nanocubes are‌ extensively studied in this‌​‌ context and have been​​ shown to support such​​​‌ gap plasmon modes (see‌ Fig. 4). At‌​‌ visible frequencies, the lossy​​​‌ behavior of metals will​ cause the progressive absorption​‌ of the trapped electromagnetic​​ field, turning the metallic​​​‌ nanocubes into efficient absorbers.​ The frequencies at which​‌ this absorption occurs can​​ be tuned by adjusting​​​‌ the dimensions of the​ nanocube and the spacer.​‌ Such metallic nanocubes can​​ be used for a​​​‌ broad range of applications​ including plasmonic sensing, surface​‌ enhanced Raman scattering (SERS),​​ metamaterials, catalysis, and bionanotechnology.​​​‌ We aim at devising​ a numerical methodology for​‌ characterizing the impact of​​ geometrical parameters such as​​​‌ the dimensions of the​ cube, the rounding of​‌ nanocube corners or the​​ size of the slit​​​‌ separating the cube and​ the substrate, on the​‌ overall performance of these​​ absorbers. In practice, this​​​‌ leads us to address​ two main modeling issues.​‌ First, as the size​​ of the slit is​​​‌ decreased, spatial dispersion effects​ have to be taken​‌ into account when dealing​​ with plasmonic structures. For​​​‌ this purpose, we consider​ a fluid model in​‌ the form of a​​ nonlocal hydrodynamic Drude model,​​​‌ which materializes as a​ system of PDEs coupled​‌ to Maxwell's equations. The​​ second issue is concerned​​​‌ with the assessment of​ geometrical uncertainties and their​‌ role in the development​​ of spatial dispersion effects.​​​‌ This application domain is​ currently studied in collaboration​‌ with physicists from the​​ Pascal Institute at Université​​​‌ Clermont Auvergne in Clermont-Ferrand.​

Figure 4

The image contains two​‌ parts: the left side​​ shows a microscopic view​​​‌ of a surface densely​ populated with tiny, square-shaped​‌ particles, each side approximately​​ 500 nanometers. The right​​​‌ side features a schematic​ diagram illustrating these particles,​‌ which are depicted as​​ silver cubes coated with​​​‌ a thin dielectric shell.​ These cubes are positioned​‌ on a dielectric layer,​​ which is on top​​​‌ of a gold substrate.​ Labels indicate the dimensions​‌ and materials involved, with​​ vacuum surrounding the cubes.​​​‌

Figure 4: Left:​ scanning electronic microscopy image​‌ of silver nanocubes. Right:​​ nanocube setup consisting of​​​‌ an infinite gold ground​ layer, a dielectric spacer​‌ and the cube surrounded​​ by vacuum.

4.5 Plasmonic​​​‌ nanostructures for photothermal effects​

Plasmonic resonances can be​‌ exploited for many applications.​​ In particular, the strong​​​‌ local field enhancement associated​ with the plasmonic resonances​‌ of a metallic nanostructure​​ or a dimer of​​​‌ metallic nanostructures (see Fig.​ 5), together with​‌ the absorption properties of​​ the metal, induce a​​​‌ photothermal energy conversion. Thus,​ in the vicinity of​‌ the nanostructure, the temperature​​ increases. These effects, viewed​​​‌ as ohmic losses, have​ been for a long​‌ time considered as a​​ severe drawback for the​​​‌ realization of efficient devices.​ However, the possibility to​‌ control this temperature rise​​ with the illumination wavelength​​​‌ or polarization has gathered​ strong interest in the​‌ nano-optics community, establishing the​​ basis of thermoplasmonics. By​​​‌ increasing temperature in their​ surroundings, metal nanostructures can​‌ be used as integrated​​ heat nanosources. Decisive advances​​​‌ are foreseen in nanomedicine​ with applications in photothermal​‌ cancer therapy, nano-surgery, drug​​ delivery, photothermal imaging, protein​​​‌ tracking, photoacoustic imaging, but​ also in nano-chemistry, optofluidics,​‌ solar and thermal energy​​ harvesting (thermophotovoltaics). Modeling realistic​​ thermoplasmonics effects is a​​​‌ highly multiscale and challenging‌ task. Indeed, the irradiation‌​‌ of a metallic nanoparticle​​ embedded in water with​​​‌ ultrashort laser pulses rapidly‌ excite plasmons that, in‌​‌ return, excite the particle's​​ phonons, which then act​​​‌ as hot carriers and‌ heat the surrounding of‌​‌ the particle through conduction​​ at the metal interface.​​​‌ This process takes place‌ in 10-100 fs‌​‌1. Furthermore, the​​ concentration of the electromagnetic​​​‌ field in a small‌ volume near the particle‌​‌ can lead to the​​ excitation of a nanoscale​​​‌ plasma in 100‌ fs – 5 ps.‌​‌ The plasma energy is​​ then transferred to the​​​‌ water molecules in a‌ few picoseconds, leading to‌​‌ high stress and thermal​​ confinement. The resulting extreme​​​‌ temperature and pressure induce‌ cavitation in 1‌​‌ ns, leading to the​​ formation, growth and collapse​​​‌ of 0.1–10 μm‌ diameter bubbles, with lifetimes‌​‌ ranging from 100 ps​​ up to 100 ns.​​​‌ As of today, the‌ computational methods that have‌​‌ been developed do not​​ enable, as such, efficient​​​‌ prototyping for applications. Our‌ ambition on this topic‌​‌ is to propose innovative​​ numerical methods that are​​​‌ able to deal accurately‌ and efficiently with all‌​‌ the peculiarities of thermoplasmonics​​ phenomena.

Figure 5

The image illustrates​​​‌ a simulation of two‌ spherical objects interacting within‌​‌ an electromagnetic field. On​​ the left side, there​​​‌ are two gray spheres‌ depicted with a coordinate‌​‌ system (x, y, z)​​ showing their orientation. Arrows​​​‌ labeled E (electric field),‌ H (magnetic field), and‌​‌ k (wave vector) indicate​​ the direction of the​​​‌ electromagnetic wave movement. On‌ the right side, a‌​‌ colored heat map shows​​ the electromagnetic field distribution​​​‌ around the two spheres.‌ The spheres are meshed,‌​‌ indicating computational modeling. The​​ color gradient bar on​​​‌ the far right ranges‌ from 0 to 40,‌​‌ with blue indicating lower​​ values and red indicating​​​‌ higher values. This visualization‌ likely represents the simulation‌​‌ of electromagnetic fields and​​ their interaction with the​​​‌ spherical objects.

Figure 5‌: Plasmonic sphere dimer‌​‌ demonstrating field enhancement in​​ the gap between two​​​‌ glod nanospheres.

4.6 Light‌ management by disordered nanostructures‌​‌

With recent advances in​​ nanophotonics and nanofabrication, disordered​​​‌ nanostructures are studied for‌ the design of different‌​‌ optical systems with unique​​ features that otherwise cannot​​​‌ be realized by their‌ periodic counterpart, including generation‌​‌ of colors, broadband transmission​​ enhancement, perfect focusing, broadband​​​‌ light trapping and broadband‌ energy harvesting. The disparity‌​‌ of involved length scales,​​ with features on a​​​‌ nanoscale and device characteristics‌ possibly on a millimeter‌​‌ or centimeter scale, renders​​ the quantitative description of​​​‌ the emerging phenomena extremely‌ challenging. Our works on‌​‌ this topic aim at​​ producing fast and accurate​​​‌ optical modeling methods enabling‌ the rigorous calculation of‌​‌ the scattering by a​​ large ensemble of cylindrical​​​‌ scattering centers embedded in‌ a thin film or‌​‌ a bulk medium depending​​ on the target application.​​​‌

5 Social and environmental‌ responsibility

5.1 Impact of‌​‌ research results

The parts​​ of our research activities​​​‌ that are addressing the‌ design of nanostructures for‌​‌ sunlight harvesting on one​​​‌ hand, and of nanostructures​ for photothermal effects on​‌ the other hand, target​​ applications concerned with production​​​‌ of renewable energy and​ biomedical engineering (ranging from​‌ light controlled drug-release to​​ the battle against Covid-19​​​‌ in the context of​ the ANR SWAG-P project).​‌

6 Highlights of the​​ year

This year, the​​​‌ team has initiated the​ development of a novel​‌ software project named POSEidSON​​ (PhOtonic SolvErs at the​​​‌ nanOscale with Neural networks).​ In the future, POSEidSON​‌ will be the flagship​​ software of the team​​​‌ for hosting all our​ methodological contributions on modeling​‌ methods for photonics leveraging​​ Deep Neural Networks.

7​​​‌ Latest software developments, platforms,​ open data

7.1 Latest​‌ software developments

7.1.1 DIOGENeS​​

  • Name:
    DIscOntinuous GalErkin Nanoscale​​​‌ Solvers
  • Keywords:
    High-Performance Computing,​ Computational electromagnetics, Discontinuous Galerkin,​‌ Computational nanophotonics
  • Functional Description:​​
    The DIOGENeS software suite​​​‌ provides several tools and​ solvers for the numerical​‌ resolution of light-matter interactions​​ at nanometer scales. A​​​‌ choice can be made​ between time-domain (DGTD solver)​‌ and frequency-domain (HDGFD solver)​​ depending on the problem.​​​‌ The available sources, material​ laws and observables are​‌ very well suited to​​ nano-optics and nano-plasmonics (interaction​​​‌ with metals). A parallel​ implementation allows to consider​‌ large problems on dedicated​​ cluster-like architectures.
  • URL:
  • Contact:
    Stéphane Lanteri
  • Participants:​
    Stéphane Lanteri, Alexis Gobe,​‌ Guillaume Leroy

7.1.2 POSEidON​​

  • Name:
    PhOtonic SolvErs at​​​‌ the nanOscale with Neural​ networks
  • Keywords:
    Deep learning,​‌ Neural networks, Computational nanophotonics​​
  • Functional Description:
    POSEidSON is​​​‌ a software platform that​ implements several tools for​‌ the development of surrogate​​ models and inverse design​​​‌ models based on Deep​ Neural Networks (DNNs) for​‌ the design of photonics​​ devices. Different Deep Learning​​​‌ (DL) models are considered,​ ranging from purely data-driven​‌ models to physics-based models.​​ It provides users with​​​‌ an intuitive interface application​ programming interface for constructing​‌ and experimenting with DL​​ models efficiently. This enables​​​‌ rapid prototyping and testing​ of approaches for leveraging​‌ DNNs.
  • Contact:
    Stéphane Lanteri​​
  • Participants:
    Alexis Gobe, Enzo​​​‌ Isnard

7.1.3 Geom4PhotoPigments

  • Name:​
    Geometrical models for the​‌ study of photonic pigments​​
  • Keyword:
    Computational nanophotonics
  • Scientific​​​‌ Description:
    Geom4PhotoPigments is a​ suite of scripts (plugins)​‌ that are compatible with​​ the GFactory component of​​​‌ the DIOGENeS software suite​ and the GMSH tetrahedral​‌ mesh generation tool, for​​ building geometric models that​​​‌ can be used to​ simulate the optical properties​‌ of photonic pigments.
  • Functional​​ Description:
    Geom4PhotoPigments is a​​​‌ suite of scripts (plugins)​ that are compatible with​‌ the GFactory component of​​ the DIOGENeS software suite​​​‌ and the GMSH tetrahedral​ mesh generation tool, for​‌ building geometric models that​​ can be used to​​​‌ simulate the optical properties​ of photonic pigments.
  • URL:​‌
  • Contact:
    Alexis Gobe​​
  • Participants:
    Alexis Gobe, Stéphane​​​‌ Lanteri

8 New results​

8.1 High order methods​‌ for complex problems

In​​ this section, we present​​​‌ ongoing studies aiming at​ designing, analyzing and developing​‌ high order numerical methods​​ for solving PDE systems​​​‌ modeling nanoscale light-matter interactions​ in relation with the​‌ physical settings and applications​​ presented in section 3​​​‌. We focus on​ the family of Discontinuous​‌ Galerkin (DG) methods. In​​ the time-domain setting, the​​ starting point of these​​​‌ works is the DGTD‌ (Discontinuous Galerkin Time-Domain) method‌​‌ introduced in 15.​​ In the frequency-domain setting,​​​‌ the HDGFD (Hybridized Discontinuous‌ Galerkin Frequency-Domain) method 1‌​‌ is considered as the​​ basis of our works.​​​‌

8.1.1 Time-domain numerical modeling‌ of gain media

Participants:‌​‌ Stéphane Descombes, Stéphane​​ Lanteri, Cédric Legrand​​​‌, Gian Luca Lippi‌ [INPHYNI laboratory, Sophia Antipolis]‌​‌.

In laser physics,​​ gain or amplification is​​​‌ a process where the‌ medium transfers part of‌​‌ its energy to an​​ incident electromagnetic radiation, resulting​​​‌ in an increase in‌ optical power. This is‌​‌ the basic principle of​​ all lasers. Quantitatively, gain​​​‌ is a measure of‌ the ability of a‌​‌ laser medium to increase​​ optical power. Modeling optical​​​‌ gain requires to study‌ the interaction of the‌​‌ atomic structure of the​​ medium with the incident​​​‌ electromagnetic wave. Indeed, electrons‌ and their interactions with‌​‌ electromagnetic fields are important​​ in our understanding of​​​‌ chemistry and physics. In‌ the classical view, the‌​‌ energy of an electron​​ orbiting an atomic nucleus​​​‌ is larger for orbits‌ further from the nucleus‌​‌ of an atom. However,​​ quantum mechanical effects force​​​‌ electrons to take on‌ discrete positions in orbitals.‌​‌ Thus, electrons are found​​ in specific energy levels​​​‌ of an atom. In‌ a semiclassical setting, such‌​‌ transitions between atomic energy​​ levels are generally described​​​‌ by the so-called rate‌ equations. These rate‌​‌ equations model the behavior​​ of a gain material,​​​‌ and they need to‌ be solved self-consistently with‌​‌ the system of Maxwell​​ equations. So far, the​​​‌ resulting coupled system of‌ Maxwell-rate equations has mostly‌​‌ been considered in a​​ time-domain setting using the​​​‌ FDTD method for which‌ several extensions have been‌​‌ proposed. In the context​​ of the PhD of​​​‌ Cédric Legrand, we study‌ an alternative numerical modeling‌​‌ approach based on a​​ high order DGTD method​​​‌ 43. This year,‌ we have formulated and‌​‌ developed explicit fourth–order Runge–Kutta​​ (RK4) temporal scheme and​​​‌ combine it with a‌ DG spatial discretization (RK-DGTD‌​‌ method) based on centered​​ or upwind fluxes. Moreover,​​​‌ we have developed a‌ new temporal integration scheme‌​‌ to address the computational​​ efficiency issue linked to​​​‌ the multiscale in time‌ nature of the coupled‌​‌ Maxwell-rate equations. We propose​​ to improve the RK–DGTD​​​‌ method by introducing a‌ multirate approach that treats‌​‌ the fast dynamics of​​ the fields separately from​​​‌ the slower evolution of‌ the electronic densities, using‌​‌ the MultiRate Generalized Additive​​ Runge–Kutta (MR–GARK) framework. The​​​‌ presented method preserves high-order‌ accuracy while notably reducing‌​‌ the simulation time.

8.1.2​​ Time-domain numerical modeling of​​​‌ plasmonic-based nanoscale heating

Participants:‌ Yves D'Angelo [LJAD, Université‌​‌ Côte d'Azur], Thibault​​ Laufroy, Claire Scheid​​​‌.

Due to the‌ various scales and phenomena‌​‌ that come into play​​ in realistic thermoplasmonics problems,​​​‌ accurate numerical modeling is‌ challenging. Laser illumination first‌​‌ excites a plasmon oscillation​​ (reaction of the electrons​​​‌ of the metal) that‌ relaxes to a thermal‌​‌ equilibrium and in turn​​ excites the metal lattice​​​‌ (phonons). The latter is‌ then responsible for heating‌​‌ the surroundings. A relevant​​​‌ modeling approach thus consists​ in describing the electron-phonon​‌ coupling through the evolution​​ of their respective temperature.​​​‌ Maxwell's equations are then​ coupled to a set​‌ of coupled nonlinear hyperbolic​​ (or parabolic) equations for​​​‌ the temperatures of respectively​ electrons, phonons and environment.​‌ The nonlinearities and the​​ different time scales at​​​‌ which each thermalization occurs​ make the numerical approximation​‌ of these equations quite​​ challenging. In the context​​​‌ of the PhD of​ Thibault Laufroy, which has​‌ started in October 2020,​​ we propose to develop​​​‌ a suitable numerical framework​ for studying thermoplasmonics. As​‌ a first step, we​​ have reviewed the models​​​‌ used in thermoplasmonics that​ are most often based​‌ on strong or weak​​ (nonlinear) couplings of Maxwell's​​​‌ equations with nonlinear equations​ modeling heat transfer (hyperbolic​‌ or parabolic). We first​​ especially targeted the hyperbolic​​​‌ version of the model​ and proposed an implementation​‌ in 2D, based on​​ a Discontinuous Galerkin approximation​​​‌ in space. We used​ specific strategies for time​‌ integration to account for​​ the multiple time scales​​​‌ of the problem. This​ has been validated on​‌ academical test cases, but​​ also on more concrete​​​‌ cases. A theoretical stability​ study has also been​‌ achieved. A preprint with​​ these results has been​​​‌ submitted for publication. Moreover,​ the PhD of Thibault​‌ Laufroy has been defended​​ in December 2025 45​​​‌.

8.1.3 Time-domain numerical​ modeling of liquid crystal​‌ materials

Participants: Mahmoud Elsawy​​, Stéphane Descombes,​​​‌ Stéphane Lanteri, Claire​ Scheid.

Liquid crystal​‌ (LC)-based reconfigurable metasurfaces offer​​ significant potential for advancing​​​‌ active metasurface technologies. This​ potential stems from their​‌ cost-efficiency, ease of fabrication,​​ and ability to operate​​​‌ across a wide frequency​ spectrum. Among the various​‌ types of LCs, nematic​​ liquid crystals are particularly​​​‌ prominent due to their​ favorable properties for such​‌ applications. Traditional LC modeling​​ typically focuses on simulating​​​‌ the static response of​ the anisotropic permittivity tensor,​‌ often assuming that the​​ permittivity simply transitions between​​​‌ two distinct states. However,​ this static approach neglects​‌ the dynamic time-dependent behavior​​ of LCs, a critical​​​‌ factor that is overlooked​ in the majority of​‌ existing studies. Such neglect​​ can lead to inaccuracies​​​‌ in predicting modulation times.​ Moreover, when LCs are​‌ integrated into highly resonant​​ structures, the strong optical​​​‌ confinement within these structures​ can further influence the​‌ LC response time, necessitating​​ more sophisticated modeling. In​​​‌ this work, our first​ goal is to develop​‌ a comprehensive dynamic model​​ of LC behavior. By​​​‌ coupling the differential equations​ governing LC orientation under​‌ time-varying applied voltages with​​ Maxwell's equations, the foreseen​​​‌ model will provide an​ accurate representation of the​‌ time-dependent transitions in LC​​ orientation. This approach should​​​‌ surpass conventional odelin approaches​ by capturing the intricate​‌ dynamics of LC responses​​ under varying excitation conditions.​​​‌ Consequently, this model will​ enable precise temporal control​‌ of unit cell responses,​​ making it particularly well-suited​​​‌ for the design of​ reflective and transmissive multiresonant​‌ metasurfaces in advanced technological​​ applications. As a next​​​‌ step, in the context​ of the PhD thesis​‌ of Roman Gelly, we​​ will devise an appropriate​​ discretization of this dynamic​​​‌ model of LC behavior.‌

8.1.4 Numerical modeling of‌​‌ time-modulated metasurfaces

Participants: Mahmoud​​ Elsawy, Roman Gelly​​​‌, Stéphane Lanteri.‌

Active metasurfaces represent a‌​‌ transformative platform for the​​ dynamic modulation of electromagnetic​​​‌ wavefronts, achieved through precise‌ spatial control of the‌​‌ phase and amplitude of​​ scattered light by leveraging​​​‌ arrays of subwavelength scatterers‌ under external stimuli. This‌​‌ spatial modulation imparts tailored​​ momentum to the outgoing​​​‌ light, enabling advanced functionalities‌ such as beam steering,‌​‌ focusing, and holography. Moreover,​​ the periodic temporal modulation​​​‌ of these metasurfaces offers‌ the ability to manipulate‌​‌ the frequency content of​​ the scattered light, adding​​​‌ a new dimension of‌ control and unlocking novel‌​‌ possibilities in optical signal​​ processing and frequency-domain applications.​​​‌ However, the accurate numerical‌ modeling of time-modulated metasurfaces‌​‌ poses significant challenges. Temporal​​ modulation introduces dynamic variations​​​‌ in the electromagnetic properties‌ of the metasurface, specifically‌​‌ in the permittivity, which​​ must be seamlessly integrated​​​‌ into Maxwell's equations to‌ account for the interplay‌​‌ between spatial and temporal​​ effects. Such modeling is​​​‌ crucial to predict and‌ optimize the metasurface performance,‌​‌ particularly for applications involving​​ complex temporal waveforms or​​​‌ high-speed modulation. In our‌ work, we rely on‌​‌ the Discontinuous Galerkin Time-Domain​​ (DGTD) to address these​​​‌ challenges. In this context,‌ the DGTD approach allows‌​‌ for the discretization of​​ Maxwell's equations in both​​​‌ space and time, enabling‌ accurate modeling of the‌​‌ temporal modulation effects while​​ maintaining the spatial fidelity​​​‌ required to capture subwavelength‌ features. By exploiting DGTD,‌​‌ it is possible to​​ capture the full dynamics​​​‌ of time-modulated metasurfaces, including‌ the generation of frequency‌​‌ sidebands and their spatial​​ diffraction. This capability is​​​‌ essential for designing metasurfaces‌ that integrate both spatial‌​‌ and temporal modulation, enabling​​ functionalities such as frequency​​​‌ mixing, harmonic beam steering,‌ and the controlled breaking‌​‌ of Lorentz reciprocity. Furthermore,​​ the DGTD approach is​​​‌ well-equipped to handle the‌ computational demands of large-scale‌​‌ metasurfaces operating at high​​ frequencies, ensuring accurate predictions​​​‌ and facilitating experimental validation.‌ This year, we have‌​‌ finalized the 2D implementation​​ of a LF-DGTD method​​​‌ (DG method with centered‌ fluxes combined to a‌​‌ Leap-Frog time-stepping). This LF-DGTD​​ method has been validated​​​‌ on realistic physical uses‌ cases extracted from related‌​‌ publications 42-31​​. Moreover, we have​​​‌ also defined an inverse‌ design approach that combines‌​‌ this LF-DGTD fullwave solver​​ with a statistical learning-based​​​‌ global optimization method. By‌ using this methodology, we‌​‌ have unveiled a realistic​​ space-time modulated silicon-based metasurface​​​‌ that achieves nearly 80%‌ frequency-conversion efficiency and precise‌​‌ harmonic beam steering in​​ the near-infrared. Meanwhile, by​​​‌ pushing the optimization into‌ higher modulation frequency regimes,‌​‌ we explored exotic functionalities​​ such as asymmetric frequency​​​‌ mixing, highlighting the method’s‌ versatility for the design‌​‌ of spacetime-modulated metasurfaces and​​ paving the way for​​​‌ a new generation of‌ space-time reconfigurable metasurfaces 35‌​‌. This work is​​ carried out in the​​​‌ context of the PhD‌ thesis of Roman Gelly.‌​‌

8.1.5 Efficient approximation of​​ high-frequency Helmholtz problems

Participants:​​​‌ Théophile Chaumont-Frelet [RAPSODI project-team,‌ Centre Inria de l'Université‌​‌ de Lille], Victorita​​​‌ Dolean [TU Eindhoven, The​ Netherlands], Maxime Ingremeau​‌ [Institut Fourier, Université Grenoble-Alpes]​​, Florentin Proust.​​​‌

Helmholtz problems describe the​ time-harmonic solutions of the​‌ wave equation (possibly in​​ a heterogeneous medium, in​​​‌ a bounded medium, with​ boundary conditions, etc.). In​‌ general, there is no​​ explicit solution to such​​​‌ an equation, and an​ approximate solution of the​‌ equation must be computed​​ numerically. All the existing​​​‌ methods (finite elements, finite​ differences, etc.) have in​‌ common that they become​​ more and more expensive​​​‌ when the frequency of​ the waves increases. In​‌ 52, we study​​ new finite-dimensional spaces specifically​​​‌ designed to approximate the​ solutions to high-frequency Helmholtz​‌ problems with smooth variable​​ coefficients. These discretization spaces​​​‌ are spanned by Gaussian​ coherent states, that have​‌ the key property to​​ be localized in phase​​​‌ space. We carefully select​ the Gaussian coherent states​‌ spanning the approximation space​​ by exploiting the (known)​​​‌ micro-localization properties of the​ solution. This work is​‌ conducted in the context​​ of the Inria POPEG​​​‌ Exploratory Research Action and​ the topic is also​‌ at the heart of​​ the PhD thesis of​​​‌ Florentin Proust.

In the​ beginning of this thesis,​‌ such a method had​​ been implemented for a​​​‌ simple one-dimensional problem. Even​ in this very simple​‌ case, it became clear​​ that Gaussian coherent states​​​‌ could not be used​ in practice because they​‌ were strongly ill-conditioned. However,​​ if the discretization spaces​​​‌ are now spanned by​ some particular linear combinations​‌ of Gaussian coherent states​​ forming a so-called Wilson​​​‌ basis, then this problem​ disappears. In 52,​‌ it had been mathematically​​ proved that using Gaussian​​​‌ coherent states to solve​ high-frequency Helmholtz problems had​‌ some advantages. In 2023,​​ we had started to​​​‌ prove similar - and​ even broader - results​‌ about Wilson basis. In​​ 2024, we continued to​​​‌ work on these theoretical​ aspects. We also developed​‌ a Python code to​​ solve one-dimensional Helmholtz problems​​​‌ with Gaussian coherent states​ or with a Wilson​‌ basis. More precisely, we​​ first focused on a​​​‌ one-dimensional equation with constant​ coefficients, and then we​‌ started to generalize to​​ one-dimensional equations with variable​​​‌ coefficients.

In 2025, Florentin​ Proust continued to work​‌ on the Python code.​​ However, it was decided​​​‌ to implement the method​ in C++ (still for​‌ one-dimensional problems) to try​​ to get a more​​​‌ efficient code (this implementation​ in C++ was mainly​‌ done by Théophile Chaumont-Frelet).​​ We also finished to​​​‌ write the proofs of​ the theoretical results. Furthermore,​‌ in February 2025, Florentin​​ Proust gave a talk​​​‌ at the Conference on​ Mathematics of Wave Phenomena​‌ 2025 in Karlsruhe, Germany​​ 29.

In early​​​‌ 2026, we plan to​ submit an article containing​‌ all the theoretical aspects​​ and the one-dimensional numerical​​​‌ results.

8.2 Data-driven reduced-order​ modeling

In short, reduced-order​‌ modeling (ROM) allows to​​ construct simplifications of high​​​‌ fidelity, complex models. The​ resulting lower fidelity (also​‌ referred as surrogate) models​​ capture the salient features​​​‌ of the source models​ so that one can​‌ quickly study a system's​​ dominant effects using minimal​​ computational resources.

8.2.1 POD-based​​​‌ ROM methods for parameterized‌ electromagnetic problems

Participants: Stéphane‌​‌ Lanteri, Kun Li​​ [SUFEC, Chengdu, China],​​​‌ Liang Li [UESTC, Chengdu,‌ China].

In collaboration‌​‌ with researchers at the​​ University of Electronic Science​​​‌ and Technology of China‌ (UESTC) and the Southwestern‌​‌ University of Finance (SUFEC)​​ and Economics, which are​​​‌ both located in Chengdu,‌ we study ROM for‌​‌ time-domain electromagnetics and nanophotonics.​​ Most of our works​​​‌ so far are based‌ on the proper orthogonal‌​‌ decomposition (POD) technique. Our​​ main contributions are described​​​‌ in 16-18‌, where we have‌​‌ proposed POD approach for​​ building a reduced subspace​​​‌ with a significantly smaller‌ dimension given a set‌​‌ of space-time snapshots that​​ are extracted from simulations​​​‌ with a high order‌ DGTD method. Subsequently, we‌​‌ have designed several fully​​ data-driven non-intrusive POD-based ROM​​​‌ approaches. In 17,‌ we have proposed the‌​‌ POD-CSI (POD combined to​​ Cubic Spline Interpolation) method​​​‌ in the context of‌ parameterized time-domain electromagnetic scattering‌​‌ problems. The considered parameters​​ are the dielectric electric​​​‌ permittivity and the temporal‌ variable. Then in 13‌​‌-22 we have​​ designed improved versions of​​​‌ the POD-CSI method respectively‌ refererred as POD-CSI-CAE (using‌​‌ a Convolutional Auto-Encoder for​​ a further reduction of​​​‌ the POD-based model) and‌ POD-DMD-RBF (based on Dynamic‌​‌ Mode Decomposition and Radial​​ Basis Function).

This year​​​‌ we have proposed a‌ parametric geometry-based non-intrusive model‌​‌ order reduction (NIMOR) model​​ for electromagnetic simulation in​​​‌ domains of different shapes.‌ The free-from-deformation (FFD) method‌​‌ is introduced to adjust​​ the mesh when the​​​‌ shape changes. This NIMOR‌ model generates a set‌​‌ of reduced-order basis (RB)​​ functions by applying a​​​‌ two-step randomized singular value‌ decomposition (SVD) method with‌​‌ an auto-rank generator (ARRSVD)​​ to the matrix composed​​​‌ of the full-order solutions.‌ A map between the‌​‌ time/geometry parameters and the​​ projection coefficients is approximated​​​‌ by the cubic-spline interpolation‌ (CSI) approach. This reduced-order‌​‌ model (ROM) is trained​​ in the offline stage,​​​‌ while the RB solutions‌ for new parameters can‌​‌ be quickly recovered in​​ the online stage. Numerical​​​‌ experiments show that the‌ proposed NIMOR method can‌​‌ achieve near real-time electromagnetic​​ scattering simulation on domains​​​‌ of different shapes while‌ guaranteeing that the error‌​‌ between high-fidelity and reduced-order​​ solutions is below an​​​‌ acceptable threshold 25.‌

8.2.2 Nonlinear ROM with‌​‌ Graph Convolutional Autoencoder

Participants:​​ Carlotta Filippin, Stéphane​​​‌ Lanteri, Federico Pichi‌ [EPFL, Switzerland], Claire‌​‌ Scheid, Maria Strazzullo​​ [Politecnico di Torino, Italy]​​​‌.

Although the POD-CSI‌ method introduced in 17‌​‌ provides encouraging results, it​​ is not as efficient​​​‌ and robust as one‌ would expect from a‌​‌ ROM perspective. Indeed, the​​ hyperbolic nature of the​​​‌ underlying PDE system, i.e.,‌ the system of time-domain‌​‌ Maxwell equations, is known​​ to represent a challenging​​​‌ issue for linear reduction‌ methods such as POD.‌​‌ In practice, a large​​ number of modes is​​​‌ required therefore hampering the‌ obtention of an efficient‌​‌ ROM strategy. One possible​​ path to address this​​​‌ problem, which is currently‌ investigated by several groups‌​‌ worldwide, relies on nonlinear​​​‌ reduction techniques. We initiated​ this year a study​‌ on nonlinear ROM for​​ the time-domain Maxwell equations.​​​‌ More precisely, we study​ the approach recently proposed​‌ in 65, which​​ proposes a nonlinear model​​​‌ order reduction based on​ a Graph Convolutional Autoencoder​‌ (GCA-ROM). This year, in​​ the context of the​​​‌ PhD thesis of Carlotta​ Filippin, we have developed​‌ a GCA-ROM approach for​​ physically parameterized time-domain electromagnetics​​​‌ in 2D and 3D,​ with training data provided​‌ by high-fidelity DGTD simulations.​​ Our first achievements have​​​‌ been presented at the​ MORTech 2025 conference 36​‌, which is one​​ of the major international​​​‌ scientific events dedicated to​ model order reduction. Moreover,​‌ this research is conducted​​ in collaboration with Federico​​​‌ Pichi (EPFL, Switzerland) and​ Maria Strazzullo (Politecnico di​‌ Torino, Italy).

8.3 Numerical​​ optimization and inverse design​​​‌ approaches

Participants: Ayoub Bellouch​, Mickaël Binois [ACUMES​‌ project-team, Centre Inria d'Université​​ Côte d'Azur], Régis​​​‌ Duvigneau [ACUMES project-team, Centre​ Inria d'Université Côte d'Azur]​‌, Mahmoud Elsawy,​​ Stéphane Lanteri.

Developing​​​‌ inverse design approaches for​ discovering non-intuitive nanostructures or​‌ material nanostructuring for harvesting​​ and tailoring the interaction​​​‌ of light with matter​ on the nanoscale is​‌ an important methdological objective​​ of the team.

For​​​‌ this, one has typically​ to deal with two​‌ numerical ingredients: on the​​ one hand, a numerical​​​‌ method for characterizing the​ optical performance of a​‌ given design of the​​ photonic device at hand,​​​‌ which is generally referred​ to as the forward​‌ problem; on the​​ other hand, the so-called​​​‌ inverse problem calls for​ a numerical optimization algorithm​‌ 12, which has​​ to be compatible with​​​‌ the required number of​ design parameters and the​‌ computational cost of the​​ evaluation of a single​​​‌ design with the numerical​ characterization method. For what​‌ concern the former task,​​ mathematical modeling is generally​​​‌ based on the system​ of three-dimensional (3D) Maxwell​‌ equations formulated in the​​ time-domain or frequency-domain, which​​​‌ is coupled to an​ appropriate model of frequency-dependent​‌ material response. In the​​ recent years, we have​​​‌ developed a computational framework​ that combines high order​‌ Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods​​ for solving the system​​​‌ of time-domain 15 or​ frequency-domain 1 Maxwell equations​‌ in 3D with an​​ efficient global optimization technique​​​‌ that belongs to the​ class of Bayesian optimization.​‌

In our works, we​​ use one of the​​​‌ most advanced optimization techniques​ based on a statistical​‌ learning-based approach, which is​​ known as Efficient Global​​​‌ Optimization (EGO). The EGO​ algorithm is a global​‌ optimization algorithm that substitutes​​ the complex and costly​​​‌ iterative electromagnetic evaluation process​ with a simpler and​‌ cheaper metamodel. EGO is​​ related to the class​​​‌ of Bayesian optimization. Contrary​ to the traditional common​‌ global optimization strategies like​​ genetic algorithms, EGO is​​​‌ not based on adaptive​ sampling but on a​‌ surrogate model, which is​​ constructed on the basis​​​‌ of available objective function​ evaluations. This surrogate model​‌ utilizes a statistical learning​​ criterion related to the​​​‌ optimization target (usually called​ merit function) in​‌ order to identify which​​ design (set of parameters)​​ should be tested in​​​‌ the next iteration that‌ would provide better results‌​‌ close to the predefined​​ goal.

In general, the​​​‌ EGO is based on‌ two phases. The first‌​‌ one is the Design​​ Of Experiment (DOE), in​​​‌ which an initial database‌ is generated. In essence,‌​‌ a uniform sampling strategy​​ (e.g. Latin Hypercube Sampling)​​​‌ is deployed in order‌ to generate different designs‌​‌ in which the cost​​ function is evaluated using​​​‌ an electromagnetic solver. In‌ the second phase, using‌​‌ the data obtained from​​ the DOE, a Gaussian​​​‌ Process (GP) model, is‌ constructed to fit these‌​‌ data. This GP model​​ allows us to predict​​​‌ the values of the‌ cost function in the‌​‌ parameter space without the​​ need to perform additional​​​‌ electromagnetic simulations. Once this‌ GP model is determined,‌​‌ one can estimate at​​ any point of the​​​‌ design space, the objective‌ function (mean of the‌​‌ GP model) and an​​ uncertainty value (variance of​​​‌ the GP model). The‌ mean and the variance‌​‌ are used together to​​ determine a statistical merit​​​‌ function. In our case,‌ we rely on the‌​‌ expected improvement, which​​ is a function whose​​​‌ maximum defines the next‌ design parameters set to‌​‌ be evaluated. That is​​ to say, in the​​​‌ search parameter space where‌ this function is maximized,‌​‌ we extract the corresponding​​ parameter values, and the​​​‌ corresponding design will be‌ simulated using our electromagnetic‌​‌ solver. Then the database​​ is updated accounting for​​​‌ this new observation (construction‌ of a new GP‌​‌ model based on the​​ updated database). We repeat​​​‌ this process until a‌ predefined convergence criterion is‌​‌ reached, or when the​​ expected improvement is sufficiently​​​‌ small.

In the recent‌ past, in close collaboration‌​‌ with researchers from the​​ ACUMES project-team, we have​​​‌ developed inverse design approaches‌ for single-objective optimization of‌​‌ phase gradient metasurfaces operating​​ at visible wavelengths 11​​​‌. Then, in 10‌, we presented for‌​‌ the first time to​​ the metasurface community a​​​‌ multiobjective inverse design approach‌ leveraging the EGO method.‌​‌ Finally, in 9,​​ we addressed the optimization​​​‌ of metasurface designs taking‌ into account uncertainties due‌​‌ to fabrication errors still​​ in the framework of​​​‌ the EGO method. All‌ these achievements clearly demonstrate‌​‌ the versatility of the​​ EGO method for inverse​​​‌ design of nanoscale photonic‌ devices 39.

In‌​‌ the context of the​​ AEROCOM project, we have​​​‌ developed an advanced optimization‌ workflow for the design‌​‌ of a metadeflector-based microwave​​ antenna for satellite communication.​​​‌ Beam steering antennas, based‌ on subwavelength deflectors, aim‌​‌ to facilitate information exchange​​ with satellite communication (SatCom)​​​‌ on-the-move systems. Recent beam‌ deflection solutions are often‌​‌ based on the phase-gradient​​ metasurfaces concept to generate​​​‌ the desired wavefront. However,‌ the performance remains inadequate‌​‌ for advanced communication technologies​​ due to bandwidth limitations​​​‌ and insufficient efficiency. In‌ the context of the‌​‌ AEROCOM project, we have​​ designed a highly efficient​​​‌ broadband beam deflection system‌ for SatCom applications, which‌​‌ has been fabricated and​​ characterized experimentally by the​​​‌ other partners of this‌ project namely, the Nanoe‌​‌ company and Thales Research​​​‌ & Technology. This non-trivial​ broadband design leverages a​‌ sophisticated coupling between adjacent​​ subwavelength elements, together with​​​‌ varying thicknesses along the​ propagation direction to manipulate​‌ the incoming beam. The​​ beam deflector is illuminated​​​‌ with a circularly polarized​ wave and is designed​‌ to operate in the​​ Ka-Tx band from 27.5​​​‌ GHz to 31 GHz.​ The optimized structure demonstrates​‌ exceptionally high performance compared​​ to the conventional phase-gradient​​​‌ synthesizing counterparts. Experimental validation​ demonstrates an excellent agreement​‌ with numerical simulation, highlighting​​ the potential of this​​​‌ optimization-assisted design to advance​ metasurface technology for various​‌ beam-steering applications 27-​​ 33.

This year,​​​‌ we have also made​ some progress on multifidelity​‌ optimization, still in the​​ framework of the EGO​​​‌ algorithm. In this research,​ the overarching goal is​‌ to substantially reduce the​​ computational cost of a​​​‌ complex numerical optimization scenario​ by wisely exploiting different​‌ levels of fidelity, i.e.,​​ accuracy in our context,​​​‌ in the numerical characterization​ (forward step) of a​‌ device design. For this,​​ we can rely on​​​‌ the flexibility of our​ DG-based fullwave solvers by​‌ playing with the mesh​​ resolution level or/and the​​​‌ degree of the polynomial​ interpolation method used to​‌ approximate the electromagnetic field​​ components cell-wise. Aletrnatively, we​​​‌ can also leverage reduced-order​ models (see Section 8.2​‌). Our preliminary results​​ on the development of​​​‌ a MF-EGO (MultiFidelity-EGO) method​ have been presented at​‌ the International Symposium on​​ Electromagnetic Theory (EMTS 2025)​​​‌ 28.

8.4 Deep​ Learning methods

We initiated​‌ in 2022 a novel​​ research direction on alternative​​​‌ numerical modeling methods based​ on Neural Networks (NN).​‌ We investigate both data-driven​​ and model-driven approaches for​​​‌ dealing with the system​ of Maxwell equations possibly​‌ coupled with various material​​ models of interest to​​​‌ nanophotonics. One first question​ that we want to​‌ address is whether DL​​ methods can yield highly​​​‌ efficient surrogate models of​ 3D time-domain electromagnetic wave​‌ propagation problems. Besides, we​​ are also interested in​​​‌ devising DL-based methods for​ dealing with problems which​‌ are more difficult to​​ handle with traditional numerical​​​‌ methods such as electromagnetic​ wave interaction with space-time​‌ adaptive materials or nonlinear​​ media. For this purpose,​​​‌ we study the formulation​ and application of Physics-Informed​‌ Neural Networks (PINNs) that​​ can accurately and efficiently​​​‌ deal with the modeling​ characteristics of these problems.​‌

8.4.1 PINNs for the​​ parametric Maxwell equations

Participants:​​​‌ Stéphane Descombes, Stéphane​ Lanteri, Alexandre Pugin​‌, Mathieu Riou [Thales​​ Research & Technology, Palaiseau,​​​‌ France].

Numerical simulations​ of electromagnetic wave propagation​‌ problems primarily rely on​​ discretization of the system​​​‌ of time-domain Maxwell equations​ using finite difference or​‌ finite element type methods.​​ For complex and realistic​​​‌ three-dimensional situations, such a​ process can be computationally​‌ prohibitive, especially in view​​ of many-query analyses (e.g.,​​​‌ optimization design and uncertainty​ quantification). Therefore, developing cost-effective​‌ surrogate models is of​​ great practical significance. Among​​​‌ the different possible approaches​ for building a surrogate​‌ model of a given​​ PDE system in a​​​‌ non-intrusive way (i.e., with​ minimal modifications to an​‌ existing discretization-based simulation methodology),​​ approaches based on neural​​ networks and Deep Learning​​​‌ (DL) has recently shown‌ new promises due to‌​‌ their capability of handling​​ nonlinear or/and high dimensional​​​‌ problems. In the present‌ study, we propose to‌​‌ focus on the particular​​ case of Physics-Informed Neural​​​‌ Networks (PINNs) introduced in‌ 67. PINNs are‌​‌ neural networks trained to​​ solve supervised learning tasks​​​‌ while respecting any given‌ laws of physics described‌​‌ by a general (possibly​​ nonlinear) PDE system. They​​​‌ seamlessly integrate the information‌ from both the measurements‌​‌ and partial differential equations​​ (PDEs) by embedding the​​​‌ PDEs into the loss‌ function of a neural‌​‌ network using automatic differentiation.​​ In 2022, we have​​​‌ initiated a study dedicated‌ to the applicability of‌​‌ PINNs for building efficient​​ surrogate models of the​​​‌ parametric Maxwell equations. This‌ year, we have progressed‌​‌ on this objective in​​ the context of the​​​‌ PhD thesis of Alexandre‌ Pugin by conducting a‌​‌ detailed analysis of the​​ PINN concept for dealing​​​‌ with the 2D time-domaine‌ Maxwell equations 44.‌​‌ For dealing with heterogenous​​ problems with a piecewise​​​‌ constant dielectric permittivity, we‌ have designed a domain‌​‌ decomposition approach with a​​ loss function that includes​​​‌ a residual term for‌ the jump relations at‌​‌ an interface between two​​ media, in addition to​​​‌ the usual residual terms‌ associated to Maxwell equations,‌​‌ and initial and boundary​​ conditions. This approach notably​​​‌ improves the accuracy of‌ PINN predictions for such‌​‌ heterogeneous problems. We are​​ now working on a​​​‌ similar study for the‌ 2D frequency-domain Maxwell equations.‌​‌

8.4.2 Multilevel and distributed​​ PINNs for the Helmholtz​​​‌ equation

Participants: Victorita Dolean‌ [TU Eindhoven, The Netherlands]‌​‌, Daria Hrebenshchykova,​​ Stéphane Lanteri, Victor​​​‌ Michel-Dansac [MACARON project-team, Centre‌ Inria de l'Université de‌​‌ Lorraine].

In the​​ context of the PhD​​​‌ thesis of Daria Hrebenshchykova,‌ which has started in‌​‌ November 2024, we investigate​​ recently proposed extensions of​​​‌ PINNs, namely Finite Basis‌ PINNs (FBPINNs) and Multilevel‌​‌ Finite Basis PINNs (MFBPINNs)​​ for building fast surrogates​​​‌ of high frequency and‌ multiscale frequency-domain wave propagation‌​‌ problems. As a first​​ step, we consider problems​​​‌ that can be modeled‌ by a 2D Helmholtz‌​‌ equation. Through numerical simulations,​​ we compare the efficiency,​​​‌ accuracy, and scalability of‌ these methods. While FBPINN‌​‌ exhibit good performance for​​ low frequency problems, the​​​‌ multilevel extension outperforms the‌ FBPINN method for high‌​‌ frequency problems. This work​​ also introduces novel distributed​​​‌ NN architectures and associated‌ training schemes for FBPINNs‌​‌ and MFBPINNs, including architectures​​ based on single and​​​‌ multiple optimizers, integrated into‌ the ScimBa library developed‌​‌ by the MACARON project-team​​ of Centre Inria de​​​‌ l'Université de Lorraine. Moreover,‌ this year, we have‌​‌ extended the PINN, FBPINN​​ and MLFBPINN formulations to​​​‌ deal with the 2D‌ Hemholtz equations with PMLs‌​‌ (Perfectly Matched Layers) for​​ artificial truncation of the​​​‌ computational domain. These achievements‌ have been presented at‌​‌ the International Domain Decomposition​​ Conference (DD28) 30.​​​‌

8.4.3 Efficient deep learning‌ methodology for large-scale metalens‌​‌

Participants: Marco Abbarchi [Solnil,​​ Marseille, France], Arthur​​​‌ Clini de Souza,‌ Mahmoud Elsawy, Hugo‌​‌ Enrique Hernandez-Figueroa [University of​​​‌ Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Sao​ Paulo, Brazil], Badre​‌ Kerzabi [Solnil, Marseille, France]​​, Stéphane Lanteri,​​​‌ Plaoma Pellegrini [University of​ Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Sao​‌ Paulo, Brazil].

Metasurfaces​​ are the 2D equivalent​​​‌ of metamaterials, having wavelength-sized​ elements that leverage various​‌ physical phenomena to control​​ the wavefront of the​​​‌ transmitted and reflected beams.​ Building on our recent​‌ advancements in deep learning​​ (DL) 6, we​​​‌ develop an efficient deep​ learning strategy for designing​‌ large-scale metalenses in reflection.​​ Our strategy is based​​​‌ on optimizing several beam​ deflectors for a wide​‌ range of diffracted angles.​​ This eliminates the need​​​‌ for individual optimization for​ each angle, similar to​‌ our earlier work on​​ color filter designs in​​​‌ 6. The proposed​ structure consists of supercells​‌ with two distinct ridges​​ made of TiO2​​​‌ (see Fig. 6).​ The widths, heights and​‌ spacings between these ridges​​ are optimized parameters, ensuring​​​‌ enhanced performance of the​ diffracted beams. We simulated​‌ 10 000 different unit​​ cells configurations to build​​​‌ a dataset. Afterwards, we​ trained a deep neural​‌ network surrogate model, which​​ defines two functions. Firstly,​​​‌ it can be exploited​ as a fast solver​‌ to replace costly fullwave​​ simulations. Secondly, it represents​​​‌ a differentiable solver, enabling​ efficient gradient optimization. The​‌ next step is training​​ a Multi-Valued Artificial Neural​​​‌ Network (MVANN) to predict​ the possible designs responsible​‌ for generating a target​​ response. The last step​​​‌ is using a network,​ hereby called the condenser,​‌ to filter out the​​ spurious solutions of the​​​‌ MVANN and post-process the​ geometrical parameters, such as​‌ uniforming the height across​​ all solutions and applying​​​‌ hard constraints. This approach​ allowed precise selection of​‌ the period and corresponding​​ deflection angles. Several metalenses​​​‌ with different diameters have​ been optimized ranging from​‌ 50 µm to 1​​ mm demonstrating scalability of​​​‌ our approach. Our academic​ partner in Brazil is​‌ in the process of​​ fabricating the optimized metalens​​​‌ structures. The results of​ this study have been​‌ submitted for publication this​​ year.

(a) shows the​​​‌ representation of the considered​ structure with the optimization​‌ parameters. (b) presents the​​ gathering technique to form​​​‌ highly perfroamnce metalens in​ reflection. (c): numerical simulation​‌ of a metalens with​​ numerical aperture in the​​​‌ range of 0.5 with​ a diameter of 50​‌ μm.

Figure 6​​: Panel (a) shows​​​‌ the representation of the​ considered structure with the​‌ optimization parameters. Panel (b)​​ presents the gathering technique​​​‌ to form highly performance​ metalens in reflection. Panel​‌ (c) displays numerical simulation​​ of a metalens with​​​‌ numerical aperture in the​ range of 0.5 with​‌ a diameter of 50​​ μm.

8.5 Discovering​​​‌ novel nanoscale structures

At​ the creation of the​‌ team in February 2020,​​ our collaborations with physicists​​​‌ from the nanophotonics domain​ aimed at leveraging our​‌ developed numerical modeling methodologies​​ in order to study​​​‌ specific topics in relation​ with concrete applications (see​‌ Section 8.7 for more​​ details). An evolution that​​​‌ started in 2022 was​ our will to adapt​‌ and exploit these numerical​​ methodologies to discover nanostructure​​ organizations exhibiting behaviors and​​​‌ performances opening the road‌ to new application perspectives.‌​‌

8.5.1 Trimer metasurfaces for​​ highly sensitive biomedical sensors​​​‌

Participants: Haogang Cai [Department‌ of Biomedical Engineering, New‌​‌ York University, USA],​​ Mahmoud Elsawy, Stéphane​​​‌ Lanteri, Hao Wang‌ [Department of Biomedical Engineering,‌​‌ New York University, USA]​​.

In this work,​​​‌ which is conducted in‌ collaboration with Haogang Cai‌​‌ at the Department of​​ Biomedical Engineering, New York​​​‌ University, USA, we have‌ designed a highly sensitive‌​‌ metasurface for biomedical sensing​​ relying on toroidal dipoles.​​​‌ Through numerical simulations (see‌ Fig. 7) and‌​‌ experimental validation, we unveil​​ that these metasurfaces offer​​​‌ remarkable sensitivity, especially across‌ the visible spectrum. This‌​‌ high sensitivity enables the​​ detection of refractive index​​​‌ variations with high precision,‌ which would have great‌​‌ value in many biomedical​​ applications. The fabrication and​​​‌ the experimental characterization have‌ been done and showed‌​‌ a very good agreement​​ with our numerical simulations​​​‌ 32. These results‌ are currently assessed for‌​‌ a potential joint patenting​​ between Inria and NYU.​​​‌ Moreover, we are preparing‌ a paper to be‌​‌ submitted in early 2026.​​

Figure 7

The image consists of​​​‌ two graphs and a‌ visual representation. The first‌​‌ graph (a) shows transmission​​ vs. wavelength (λ in​​​‌ nm), highlighting modes 2‌ and 3 with transmission‌​‌ dips around 660 nm​​ and 790 nm. The​​​‌ second graph (b) shows‌ the wavelength (λ) dependence‌​‌ on the refractive index​​ for three modes. Mode​​​‌ 1 (red) starts at‌ 650 nm, Mode 2‌​‌ (blue) starts at 670​​ nm, and Mode 3​​​‌ (green) starts at 770‌ nm. The visual representation‌​‌ displays a pattern with​​ vector fields, likely depicting​​​‌ the electromagnetic field distributions‌ for the different modes.‌​‌

Figure 7: Panel​​ (a) shows the transmission​​​‌ response of the trimer‌ metasurface. Panel (b) presents‌​‌ the sensitivity analysis of​​ the three main modes​​​‌ together the field profile‌ of the toroidal mode.‌​‌

8.5.2 Metasurface for quantum​​ information processing

Participants: Mahmoud​​​‌ Elsawy, Alemayehu Getahun‌ Kumela, Stéphane Lanteri‌​‌.

The design of​​ nonlinear metasurfaces for quantum​​​‌ applications has usually focused‌ on classical merits like‌​‌ tuning resonance at the​​ pump and target frequencies.​​​‌ These approaches can improve‌ nonlinear efficiency but they‌​‌ do not ensure the​​ phase control needed for​​​‌ high quality quantum state.‌ In the context of‌​‌ the META4QIP AEx, we​​ have developed a hybrid​​​‌ quantum-classical multiobjective inverse design‌ framework that directly includes‌​‌ quantum measures like fidelity​​ in the optimization process.​​​‌ By doing so, we‌ increase both entanglement fidelity‌​‌ and spontaneous parametric down​​ conversion (SPDC) efficiency, ensuring​​​‌ that high brightness and‌ quantum purity are achieved‌​‌ together. Traditional appropaches to​​ improve SPDC often rely​​​‌ on bound state in‌ the continuum (BIC) modes‌​‌ or sharp resonances. These​​ methods are generally sensitive​​​‌ to fabrication errors and‌ hard to control across‌​‌ polarizations leading to low​​ quantum purity, uncontrolled correlations,​​​‌ and lower entanglement fidelity.‌ Our approach shows that‌​‌ reliable, easy-to-fabricate metasurfaces can​​ achieve better quantum performance​​​‌ without these constraints. When‌ applied to an AlGaAs‌​‌ nanohole metasurface, our design​​​‌ reaches a fidelity of​ F=0.9969 and SPDC collection​‌ efficiency of 55 Hz​​ for a wide angular​​​‌ collection, exceeding the state-of-the-art​ devices hence establishing a​‌ practical path toward scalable,​​ on-demand quantum light sources​​​‌ 48.

8.6 Software​ developments in DIOGENeS

Participants:​‌ Alexis Gobé, Arthur​​ Gouinguenet, Guillaume Leroy​​​‌, Stéphane Lanteri,​ Alan Youssef.

In​‌ order to maximize the​​ impact of our research​​​‌ activities described in section​ 3, a modern​‌ software platform is necessary.​​ For that purpose, the​​​‌ team develops the DIOGENeS​ (DIscOntinuous GalErkin Nanoscale Solvers)​‌ software suite, which is​​ dedicated to the numerical​​​‌ modeling of nanoscale light-matter​ interactions in the 3D​‌ case. This suite is​​ organized around the several​​​‌ components depicted in Figure​ 8. The core​‌ library and the fullwave​​ solvers are based on​​​‌ an object-oriented architecture implemented​ in Fortran 2008. The​‌ DGTD and HDGFD solvers​​ are adapted to high​​​‌ performance computing platforms by​ relying on a partitioning​‌ of the computational mesh​​ and a parallel programming​​​‌ based on the message​ exchange model using the​‌ MPI standard.

This year,​​ several novel features have​​​‌ been developed that are​ concerned with the GFactory​‌ and Observer components (see​​ Fig. 8). In​​​‌ addition, we have initiated​ the development of the​‌ Surrogates component, which integrates​​ our contributions on fully​​​‌ data-driven ROM methods. Moreover,​ a GPU accelerated version​‌ of the DGTD fullwave​​ solver has been developed,​​​‌ thus drastically enhancing the​ high performance computing capabilities​‌ of this simulation tool.​​

Architecture of the DIOGENeS​​​‌ software suite. DGTD and​ HDGFD are the high​‌ order DG-based fullwave solvers​​ for time-domain and frequency-domain​​​‌ modeling settings. GFactory is​ the geometrical modeling component​‌ that exploits the Python​​ API of the GMSH​​​‌ mesh generation tool. Observer​ is the base component​‌ for developing post-processing scripts​​ of simulation results. Optim​​​‌ is the base component​ for developing inverse design​‌ workflows in Python by​​ using statistical learning global​​​‌ optimization algorithms from external​ frameworks such as Trieste.​‌

Figure 8: Architecture​​ of the DIOGENeS software​​​‌ suite. DGTD and HDGFD​ are the high order​‌ DG-based fullwave solvers for​​ time-domain and frequency-domain modeling​​​‌ settings. GFactory is the​ geometrical modeling component that​‌ exploits the Python API​​ of the GMSH mesh​​​‌ generation tool. Observer is​ the base component for​‌ developing post-processing scripts of​​ simulation results. Optim is​​​‌ the base component for​ developing inverse design workflows​‌ in Python by using​​ statistical learning global optimization​​​‌ algorithms from external frameworks​ such as Trieste.

8.7​‌ Applications

8.7.1 Modeling of​​ centimeter-scale metasurfaces in imaging​​​‌ systems

Participants: Mahmoud Elsawy​, Sébastien Héron [Thales​‌ Research & Technology, Palaiseau,​​ France], Enzo Isnard​​​‌, Stéphane Lanteri.​

Metasurfaces are 2D optical​‌ components structured at sub-wavelength​​ scale that locally control​​​‌ the properties of incident​ light. They can perform​‌ various functions such as​​ beam steering, polarization control​​​‌ and focusing. However, metasurfaces​ are still difficult to​‌ incorporate into imaging systems​​ due to the difficulty​​​‌ of modeling their behavior​ together with other components.​‌ For a traditional optical​​ system composed of mirrors​​ or refractive lenses, ray-tracing​​​‌ tools are used to‌ predict the imaging performances.‌​‌ For metasurfaces, one cannot​​ use these tools, as​​​‌ geometrical optics is no‌ longer valid for describing‌​‌ the interactions of light​​ with sub-wavelength elements. To​​​‌ accurately simulate them, Maxwell's‌ equations have to be‌​‌ solved using finite difference​​ or finite element methods.​​​‌ These methods are computionally‌ expensive and are only‌​‌ adapted for components of​​ size around ten wavelengths.​​​‌ Thus, they are of‌ no practical use to‌​‌ simulate metasurfaces inside imaging​​ optical systems (see Fig.​​​‌ 9), which are‌ in the centimeter scale‌​‌ for industrial applications in​​ imaging. Beyond this size​​​‌ limitation, one may need‌ to integrate a metasurface‌​‌ neither at the entrance​​ nor at the output​​​‌ of the system. This‌ positionning often leads to‌​‌ a smaller incident angle​​ and/or to a decrease​​​‌ of the component area‌ because of its relative‌​‌ position with respect to​​ the system stop and​​​‌ pupils. Besides, this also‌ leads to modeling issues:‌​‌ a) the incidents fields​​ are not plane waves​​​‌ anymore, and b) computed‌ electromagnetic fields after the‌​‌ metasurface need to be​​ recast as rays. To​​​‌ address these issues, we‌ develop a novel numerical‌​‌ methodology to couple a​​ fullwave solver with a​​​‌ ray tracing tool in‌ order to simulate a‌​‌ whole system containing mesurfaces​​ and refractive components 37​​​‌. The main objective‌ is to fully simulate‌​‌ and optimize the whole​​ system including the metasurface​​​‌ to achieve various functionalities.‌ This work is implemented‌​‌ in the frame of​​ the PhD of Enzo​​​‌ Isnard. Moreover, it has‌ been accepted for publication‌​‌ Optics Express journal 26​​.

Figure 9

Example of an​​​‌ imaging system containing a‌ metasurface. To simulate the‌​‌ whole system, we need​​ to convert rays into​​​‌ electromagnetic fields and vice‌ versa. As the metasurface‌​‌ lies in the middle​​ of the system, the​​​‌ incident wavefront is not‌ necessarily planar.

Figure 9‌​‌: Example of an​​ imaging system containing a​​​‌ metasurface. To simulate the‌ whole system, we need‌​‌ to convert rays into​​ electromagnetic fields and vice​​​‌ versa. As the metasurface‌ lies in the middle‌​‌ of the system, the​​ incident wavefront is not​​​‌ necessarily planar.

8.7.2 Optimization‌ of light trapping in‌​‌ nanostructured solar cells

Participants:​​ Stéphane Collin [Sunlit team,​​​‌ C2N-CNRS, Paris-Saclay, France],‌ Alexis Gobé, Henning‌​‌ Helmers [Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare​​ Energiesysteme ISE, Freiburg, Germany]​​​‌, Oliver Höhn [Fraunhofer-Institut‌ für Solare Energiesysteme ISE,‌​‌ Freiburg, Germany], Stéphane​​ Lanteri, Guillaume Leroy​​​‌, Ines Revol [LAAS,‌ Toulouse, France].

There‌​‌ is significant recent interest​​ in designing ultra-thin crystalline​​​‌ silicon solar cells with‌ active layer thickness of‌​‌ a few micrometers. Efficient​​ light absorption in such​​​‌ thin films requires both‌ broadband antireflection coatings and‌​‌ effective light trapping techniques,​​ which often have different​​​‌ design considerations. In collaboration‌ with physicists from the‌​‌ Sunlit team at C2N​​ (Centre for Nanosciences and​​​‌ Nanotechnology) in Campus Paris-Saclay)‌ and the Fraunhofer-Institut für‌​‌ Solare Energiesysteme ISE in​​ Freiburg, Germany, we exploit​​​‌ statistical learning methods for‌ the inverse design of‌​‌ material nanostructuring with the​​​‌ goal of optimizing light​ trapping properties of ultraphin​‌ solar cells. This objective​​ is challenging because the​​​‌ underlying electromagnetic wave problems​ exhibit multiple resonances, while​‌ the geometrical settings are​​ non-trivial. Such multi-resonant solar​​​‌ cell structures are attractive​ for maximizing light absorption​‌ for the full solar​​ light spectrum as illustrated​​​‌ in Fig. 10.​ This year, we have​‌ started a new study​​ on the design of​​​‌ a tandem solar cell​ for which we propose​‌ to consider a multi-objective​​ optimization setting to address​​​‌ simultaneously the minimization of​ two absorber layers and​‌ the maximization of the​​ short-circuit current in those​​​‌ layers. Very promising results​ have been obtained that​‌ will be soon subimitted​​ for publication in a​​​‌ an appropriate venue.

The​ top images depict a​‌ 3D modeled cube divided​​ into multiple horizontal layers,​​​‌ each with a distinct​ color and mesh pattern.​‌ The top layer is​​ dark blue with a​​​‌ textured surface, while the​ subsequent layers are yellow,​‌ orange, and green, each​​ separated by wavy boundaries.​​​‌ The mesh patterns vary​ slightly between layers, creating​‌ an intricate, segmented appearance.​​ The bottom image is​​​‌ a graph comparing the​ absorptance (Atot) of two​‌ different versions over a​​ range of wavelengths (λ)​​​‌ from 300 nm to​ 1000 nm. The x-axis​‌ represents the wavelength in​​ nanometers (nm), and the​​​‌ y-axis represents the absorptance​ (Atot). The graph features​‌ two lines: a black​​ line labeled "Original" and​​​‌ an orange line labeled​ "Optimized - v3". The​‌ optimized version generally shows​​ higher absorptance compared to​​​‌ the original, particularly noticeable​ beyond approximately 500 nm.​‌ The absorptance values fluctuate​​ for both versions across​​​‌ the wavelength range.

Figure​ 10: Optimization of​‌ light absorption in a​​ solar cell based on​​​‌ a pyramidal grating. Top​ figures: geometrical model. Bottom:​‌ absorption spectra.

8.7.3 Plasmonic​​ sensing with nanocubes

Participants:​​​‌ Antoine Moreau [Institut Pascal,​ Clermont-Ferrand, France], Stéphane​‌ Lanteri, Guillaume Leroy​​, Claire Scheid.​​​‌

The propagation of light​ in a slit between​‌ metals is known to​​ give rise to guided​​​‌ modes. When the slit​ is of nanometric size,​‌ plasmonic effects must be​​ taken into account, since​​​‌ most of the mode​ propagates inside the metal.​‌ Indeed, light experiences an​​ important slowing-down in the​​​‌ slit, the resulting mode​ being called gap-plasmon. Hence,​‌ a metallic structure presenting​​ a nanometric slit can​​​‌ act as a light​ trap, i.e. light will​‌ accumulate in a reduced​​ space and lead to​​​‌ very intense, localized fields.​ We study the generation​‌ of gap plasmons by​​ various configurations of silver​​​‌ nanocubes separated from a​ gold substrate by a​‌ dielectric layer, thus forming​​ a narrow slit under​​​‌ the cube. When excited​ from above, this configuration​‌ is able to support​​ gap-plasmon modes which, once​​​‌ trapped, will keep bouncing​ back and forth inside​‌ the cavity. We exploit​​ statistical learning methods for​​​‌ the goal-oriented inverse design​ of cube size, dielectric​‌ and gold layer thickness,​​ as well as gap​​​‌ size between cubes in​ a dimer configuration (see​‌ Fig. 11). This​​ study is conducted in​​ collaboration with Antoine Moreau​​​‌ at Institut Pascal (CNRS).‌ Starting in January 2024,‌​‌ we will continue this​​ study in the context​​​‌ of the ANR SWAG-P‌ project, which is coordinated‌​‌ by Antoine Moreau from​​ Institut Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France.​​​‌

The left image shows‌ a 3D geometric visualization‌​‌ with a triangular mesh​​ grid overlay. The central​​​‌ part of the image‌ features a colorful, multi-faceted‌​‌ shape transitioning from red​​ at the core to​​​‌ yellow, green, and blue‌ towards the edges, indicating‌​‌ variations in data values​​ or intensity. The volumetric​​​‌ structure represents two nearby‌ cubes, on a plane‌​‌ (represented by deep blue​​ background with a dense​​​‌ network of interconnected triangular‌ facets). The right image‌​‌ is a graph showing​​ the transmission spectrum T(λ)​​​‌ versus wavelength λ in‌ nanometers (nm). It compares‌​‌ two cases: "With Ag​​ cube" (black line) and​​​‌ "Without Ag cube" (blue‌ line). A vertical purple‌​‌ line indicates a specific​​ wavelength λ0. The black​​​‌ line shows two peaks‌ and valleys, while the‌​‌ blue line shows a​​ smoother peak. The graph​​​‌ has labeled axes with‌ λ ranging from 400‌​‌ to 1200 nm and​​ T(λ) ranging from 0​​​‌ to 1.

Figure 11‌: Optimization of a‌​‌ plasmonic nanocube dimer setting​​ for the generation of​​​‌ Fano resonances.

8.7.4 Multiple‌ scattering in random media‌​‌

Participants: Stéphane Descombes,​​ Stéphane Lanteri, Guillaume​​​‌ Leroy, Cédric Legrand‌, Gian Luca Lippi‌​‌ [INPHYNI laboratory, Nice].​​

Fluorescence signals emitted by​​​‌ probes, used to characterize‌ the expression of biological‌​‌ markers in tissues or​​ cells, can be very​​​‌ hard to detect due‌ to a small amount‌​‌ of molecules of interest​​ (proteins, nucleic sequences), to​​​‌ specific genes expressed at‌ the cellular level, or‌​‌ to the limited number​​ of cells expressing these​​​‌ markers in an organ‌ or a tissue. Access‌​‌ to information coming from​​ weaker emitters can only​​​‌ come from strengthening the‌ signal, since electronic post-amplification‌​‌ raises the noise floor​​ as well. Molecule-specific biochemical​​​‌ processes are being developed‌ for this purpose, and‌​‌ a new mechanism based​​ on the simultaneous action​​​‌ of stimulated emission and‌ multiple scattering induced by‌​‌ nanoparticles suspended in the​​ sample has been recently​​​‌ demonstrated to effectively amplify‌ weak fluorescence signals. A‌​‌ precise assessment of the​​ signal fluorescence amplification that​​​‌ can be achieved by‌ such a scattering medium‌​‌ requires an electromagnetic wave​​ propagation modeling approach capable​​​‌ of accurately and efficiently‌ coping with multiple space‌​‌ and time scales, as​​ well as with non-trivial​​​‌ geometrical features (shape and‌ topological organization of scatterers‌​‌ in the medium). In​​ the context of a​​​‌ collaboration with physicists from‌ the Institut de Physique‌​‌ de Nice INPHYNI (Gian​​ Luca Lippi from the​​​‌ complex photonic systems and‌ materials group), we initiated‌​‌ this year a study​​ on the simultaneous action​​​‌ of stimulated emission and‌ multiple scattering by randomly‌​‌ distributed nanospheres in a​​ bulk medium (see Fig.​​​‌ 12). From the‌ numerical modeling point of‌​‌ view, our short term​​ goal is to develop​​​‌ a time-domain numerical methodology‌ for the simulation of‌​‌ random lasing in a​​​‌ gain medium.

Multiple scattering​ by randomly distributed nanospheres​‌ in a bulk medium.​​

Figure 12: Multiple​​​‌ scattering by randomly distributed​ nanospheres in a bulk​‌ medium.

8.7.5 Nonlinear wavefront​​ shaping with optical metasurfaces​​​‌

Participants: Giuseppe Leo [CNRS-MPQ,​ Université Paris Cité, France]​‌, Jean-Michel Gerard [PHELIQS,​​ CEA and Université Grenoble​​​‌ Alpes, France], Mahmoud​ Elsawy, Stéphane Lanteri​‌, Francisco Teixeira Orlandini​​.

In recent years,​​​‌ the control of sub-wavelength​ light-matter interactions has enabled​‌ the observation of new​​ linear optical phenomena, further​​​‌ establishing a new class​ of ultra-thin devices for​‌ real-world applications. To extend​​ metasurface functionality and implement​​​‌ nonlinear manipulations, the scientific​ community has considered optical​‌ metasurfaces for harmonic emission​​ field control. However, the​​​‌ performance of nonlinear metasurfaces​ is still modest. Flat​‌ optics have also shown​​ their potential in the​​​‌ nonlinear optics with wavefront​ shaping in far-harmonic fields.​‌ There is currently a​​ related effort by the​​​‌ nonlinear nanophotonics community to​ seek higher conversion efficiencies​‌ across narrow resonances of​​ the quasi-bound states of​​​‌ the continuum (qBIC) associated​ with strong near-field coupling​‌ and nonlocal resonance modes.​​ However, the overall performance​​​‌ is relatively weak as​ most of the current​‌ studies ignore the strong​​ near-field coupling between neighboring​​​‌ cells. In this collaboration,​ we exploit the specific​‌ advantages of 'thin' resonators​​ that behave like phased-array​​​‌ antennas, unlike photonic crystals​ with strong localized energies,​‌ to develop highly efficient​​ nonlinear metasurfaces for nonlinear​​​‌ wavefront shaping. Within this​ strategy, we improve the​‌ performance of nonlinear wavefront​​ shaping by inverse design​​​‌ optimization of both meta-atoms​ and meta-molecules. In addition,​‌ we consider long-term design​​ options for nonlinear metasurfaces​​​‌ based on perfect nonlocal​ responses and long-range near-field​‌ coupling, and rigorous computational​​ methods to address nonlinearities​​​‌ in terms of nonlocal​ configurations. Our preliminary results​‌ (see Fig. 13)​​ show the ability to​​​‌ improve the second harmonic​ generation signal by almost​‌ a factor of seven.​​ Fabrication and characterization of​​​‌ the structure is currently​ underway, and the results​‌ will be published in​​ a prominent journal. Since​​​‌ October 2024, we continue​ this study in the​‌ context of the ANR​​ NO-RESTRAIN project, which is​​​‌ coordinated by Giuseppe Leo​ from the MPQ (Matériaux​‌ et Phénomènes Quantiques) at​​ Université Paris Cité, France.​​​‌

Figure 13

Optimized second-harmonic generation (SHG)​ from an asymmetric nanochair​‌ (inset). The left column​​ represent the comparison of​​​‌ SHG response as a​ function of the pump​‌ wavelength for three different​​ designs (classical denote the​​​‌ design without optimization). The​ right column refers to​‌ the field profiles at​​ the two frequencies 2​​​‌ω and ω for​ the optimal design.

Figure​‌ 13: Optimized second-harmonic​​ generation (SHG) from an​​​‌ asymmetric nanochair (inset). The​ left column represent the​‌ comparison of SHG response​​ as a function of​​​‌ the pump wavelength for​ three different designs (classical​‌ denote the design without​​ optimization). The right column​​​‌ refers to the field​ profiles at the two​‌ frequencies 2ω and​​ ω for the optimal​​​‌ design.

9 Bilateral contracts​ and grants with industry​‌

9.1 Bilateral contracts with​​ industry

Simulation of photonic​​ pigments

Participants: Alexis Gobé​​​‌, Stéphane Lanteri.‌

  • Duration: Oct 2024 -‌​‌ Mar 2026
  • Local coordinator:​​ Stéphane Lanteri
  • Participants: Valérie​​​‌ Alard [LVMH], Nicolas Benoot‌ [LVMH]
  • To manufacture a‌​‌ colored material, one normally​​ use a dye or​​​‌ pigment. But another approach‌ to producing color is‌​‌ to fabricate a nanostructure​​ that reflects or scatters​​​‌ light so that waves‌ of certain frequencies can‌​‌ interfere constructively. These nanostructured​​ materials are said to​​​‌ have structural colors. Unlike‌ traditional colors, which comes‌​‌ from light-absorbing dyes or​​ pigments that absorb light,​​​‌ structural colors can be‌ made resistant to fading.‌​‌ In this context, it​​ is desirable to obtain​​​‌ a structural color that‌ is independent of angle,‌​‌ i.e., the color is​​ the same regardless of​​​‌ the orientation of the‌ material, and whatever the‌​‌ angle between the light​​ source and the eyes.​​​‌ There are many structurally‌ colored materials that, like‌​‌ an opal stone, are​​ iridescent, which means that​​​‌ the color changes depending‌ on viewing angle and‌​‌ orientation. The reason for​​ this is that the​​​‌ nanostructure of these materials‌ is well-ordered (or crystalline),‌​‌ as in photonic crystals.​​ To manufacture materials whose​​​‌ color is independent of‌ angle, we need to‌​‌ create disordered nanostructures. These​​ materials are called photonic​​​‌ glasses. The aim is‌ to study how the‌​‌ optical properties of these​​ glasses are linked to​​​‌ their structure and the‌ particles. This type of‌​‌ study is primarily based​​ on experiment. In this​​​‌ project, we relied on‌ numerical modeling to study‌​‌ the optical properties of​​ photonic pigments.

Metasurfaces for​​​‌ the visible, mid-infrared and‌ long infrared

Participants: Mahmoud‌​‌ Elsawy, Arthur Gouinguenet​​, Stéphane Lanteri.​​​‌

  • Duration: Sep 2024 -‌ March 2026
  • Local coordinator:‌​‌ Stéphane Lanteri
  • Participants: Michel​​ Jegouzo [Safran E&D], Pascal​​​‌ Junique [Safran E&D], Emmanuel‌ Kling [Safran E&D]
  • We‌​‌ initiated this year a​​ novel collaboration with Safran​​​‌ Electronics & Defense in‌ Eragny for the design‌​‌ of several variants of​​ metasurfaces or the visible,​​​‌ mid-infrared and long infrared‌ spectra. In this context,‌​‌ we explore various shapes​​ of meta-atoms for the​​​‌ definition of metadeflectors and‌ metalenses driven by precise‌​‌ operational performances.

10 Partnerships​​ and cooperations

10.1 International​​​‌ initiatives

10.1.1 Associate Teams‌ in the framework of‌​‌ an Inria International Lab​​ or in the framework​​​‌ of an Inria International‌ Program

DNN4Photonics
  • Title:
    Deep‌​‌ Neural Networks for the​​ design of photonic devices​​​‌
  • Partner Institution(s):
    Laboratory of‌ Applied and Computational Electromagnetics‌​‌ (LEMAC), Universidade Estadual de​​ Campinas, Brazil
  • Coordinators:
    Stéphane​​​‌ Lanteri and Hugo Enrique‌ Hernandez Figueroa (LEMAC laboratory)‌​‌
  • Date/Duration:
    Jan 2024 to​​ Dec 2026
  • Additionnal info/keywords:​​​‌
    nanophotonics, Deep Learning
  • Summary.‌
    In the context of‌​‌ this partnership with researchers​​ form the LEMAC laboratory​​​‌ at Universidade Estadual de‌ Campinas, we aim at‌​‌ studying and developing disruptive​​ approaches based on Deep​​​‌ Neural Networks for modeling‌ and shaping the interactions‌​‌ of optical waves (or​​ light waves) with matter​​​‌ when the latter is‌ structured at the subwavelength‌​‌ scale. Electronic devices that​​ exploit these interactions in​​​‌ their design are called‌ photonic devices. We propose‌​‌ to investigate data-driven Deep​​​‌ Learning methodologies for two​ main objectives: (1) devising​‌ fast and reliable surrogates​​ of light wave propagation​​​‌ in the general case​ of three-dimentional spatial domains​‌ with complex scattering objects​​ and, (2) devising inverse​​​‌ design strategies of photonic​ devices with unprecedented properties.​‌
Other international visits to​​ the team
Haogang Cai​​​‌
  • Status
    associate professor
  • Institution​ of origin:
    Tech4Health Institute,​‌ NYU School of Medicine;​​ Biomedical Engineering, NYU School​​​‌ of Engineering
  • Country:
    USA​
  • Dates:
    Mar 30 to​‌ Apr 16
  • Context of​​ the visit:
    collaboration on​​​‌ the design of metasurfaces​ for biosensing and participation​‌ to the ICON-W workshop​​ at Université Côte d'Azur​​​‌
  • Mobility program/type of mobility:​
    research stay

10.2 National​‌ initiatives

10.2.1 ANR projects​​

NumPEx (Digital for Exascale)​​​‌

Participants: Daria Hrebenshchykova,​ Stéphane Lanteri, Victor​‌ Michel-Dansac [MACARON project-team, Centre​​ Inria de l'Université de​​​‌ Lorraine].

  • Type: PEPR​ (Priority Research Program and​‌ Equipment)
  • Coordinator of the​​ Exa-MA project: Université de​​​‌ Strasbourg
  • Partners: CEA, École​ Polytechnique, Inria, Sorbonne Université,​‌ Université de Strasbourg
  • Inria​​ contact: Stéphane Lanteri
  • Duration:​​​‌ Jan 2023 to Mar​ 2028
  • The team is​‌ involved in the Exa-MA​​ (Methods and Algorithms for​​​‌ Exascale) project of PEPR​ NumPEx, and more particularly​‌ in the work-package dedicated​​ to model order reduction​​​‌ and SciML. The Exa-MA​ project aims to push​‌ the frontiers of exascale​​ computing by developing cutting-edge​​​‌ numerical methods, algorithms, and​ software libraries. The PhD​‌ thesis of Daria Hrebenshchykova​​ is funded by this​​​‌ project.
SWEET (Sub-WavelEngth Electro-optic​ sysTems)

Participants: Henri Camon​‌ [CNRS-LAAS], Jean-Yves Duboz​​ [CNRS-CRHEA], Mahmoud Elsawy​​​‌, Olivier Gauthier-Lafaye [CNRS-LAAS]​, Samira Khadir [CNRS-CRHEA]​‌, Stéphane Lanteri,​​ Daniel Turover [NAPA Technologies]​​​‌.

  • Type: ANR
  • Duration:​ Jan 2023 to Dec​‌ 2026
  • Coordinator: CNRS-LAAS (Toulouse)​​
  • Partners: Inria (ATLANTIS project-team),​​​‌ CNRS-CRHEA (Sophia Atipolis), NAPA​ Technologies (Archamps)
  • Inria contact:​‌ Stéphane Lanteri
  • Beam steering​​ is a key enabling​​​‌ photonic technology that would​ improve the performance of​‌ light detection and ranging​​ modules (LiDAR). A typical​​​‌ LiDAR component consists of​ a light source for​‌ illumination, a light modulating​​ device to scan the​​​‌ scene and finally a​ fast detection system to​‌ recover the optical information​​ received from the scene.​​​‌ The operation principle of​ conventional LiDARs relies on​‌ the Time-of-Flight (ToF) measurement,​​ where a pulsed laser​​​‌ directed toward a distant​ reflective object measures the​‌ propagation round-trip time (ToF)​​ of light pulses propagating​​​‌ from the laser to​ the scene and back​‌ to the detection module.​​ The LiDAR sector is​​​‌ currently ongoing important research​ and development efforts to​‌ enable real-time sensing of​​ the distance of fast-moving​​​‌ objects, with applications in​ robotics, autonomous vehicles and​‌ future augmented reality devices.​​ Dynamic beam steering with​​​‌ competitive performances requires the​ deflection of a light​‌ beam along any arbitrary​​ direction to spatially scan​​​‌ a large angular field-of-view​ (FoV) with high speed​‌ and high efficiency. SWEET​​ addresses several drawbacks of​​​‌ current LiDAR technologies by​ proposing innovative ultrafast beam​‌ steering systems, their combinations​​ and integration into demonstrator.​​​‌ We propose to realize​ an ultrafast 2D beam​‌ steering system using innovative​​ transparent tunable metasurface using​​ LC and III-nitride materials.​​​‌ Our motivation is to‌ develop a generic technology‌​‌ to meet the market​​ needs of LiDAR applications​​​‌ in terms of operation‌ speed, FoV, angular resolution,‌​‌ manufacturability. As indicators, we​​ consider the most stringent​​​‌ requirements for LiDAR integration‌ in the automotive industry.‌​‌ In this context, the​​ general objective of our​​​‌ contribution to the SWEET‌ project is to design‌​‌ active metasurface components for​​ dynamic beam steering.
SWAG-P​​​‌ (Sensing With A Gap-Plasmon)‌

Participants: David Duche [CNRS-IM2NP]‌​‌, Frederic Dumur [CNRS-ICR]​​, Stéphane Lanteri,​​​‌ Olivie Margeat [CNRS-IM2NP],‌ Antoine Moreau [CNRS-Institut Pascal]‌​‌, Carmen Ruiz-Herrero [CNRS-IM2NP]​​, Claire Scheid,​​​‌ Beniamino Sciacca [CNRS-CINaM].‌

  • Type: ANR
  • Duration: Jan‌​‌ 2024 to Dec 2027​​
  • Coordinator: CNRS-Institut Pascal (Clermont-Ferrand)​​​‌
  • Partners: Inria (ATLANTIS project-team),‌ CNRS-IM2NP (Marseille), CNRS-CINaM (Marseille),‌​‌ CNRS-ICR (Marseille)
  • Inria contact:​​ Claire Scheid
  • Point of​​​‌ Care (POC) tests are‌ expected to continue to‌​‌ be increasingly relied on​​ in the coming years.​​​‌ They have been central‌ to the strategy for‌​‌ combating the COVID-19 pandemic​​ and are expected to​​​‌ play an increasingly important‌ role in the future‌​‌ for fighting other epidemics,​​ particularly in developing countries​​​‌ such as India or‌ China. The World Health‌​‌ Organization (WHO) has defined​​ the ideal POC test,​​​‌ emphasizing the importance of‌ Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-‌​‌ friendly, Rapid/Robust, Equipment-free, and​​ Deliverable (ASSURED) diagnostic methods.​​​‌ Among all the techniques‌ used to design biosensors,‌​‌ optical techniques are booming,​​ thanks to numerous innovations​​​‌ in nanophotonics and plasmonics.‌ However, not so many‌​‌ innovations meet the ASSURED​​ criteria. To be deliverable,​​​‌ a device has to‌ be stable for months.‌​‌ It is important to​​ use as little materials​​​‌ as possible, because sensors‌ have to be disposed‌​‌ of after use. Miniaturization​​ is attractive in this​​​‌ perspective, especially since it‌ is associated with lower‌​‌ detection limits. Plasmonic resonators​​ have an edge here​​​‌ because of their large‌ interaction cross-section: their response‌​‌ is thus easier to​​ measure. Regarding all the​​​‌ ASSURED criteria, plasmonic sensors‌ at the end of‌​‌ a fiber offer very​​ interesting characteristics. The goal​​​‌ of the SWAG-P project‌ is to explore the‌​‌ potential of a new​​ class of plasmonic resonators​​​‌ with unique properties, called‌ gap-plasmon resonators, for the‌​‌ detection of biological molecules​​ of interest. These resonators​​​‌ are optical “patch antennas”‌ that can be fabricated‌​‌ simply by depositing metal​​ nanocubes of a few​​​‌ tens of nanometers on‌ a dielectric film, deposited‌​‌ on a very thin​​ layer of functionalizable gold.​​​‌ We want to fabricate‌ a biosensor based on‌​‌ an optical fiber to​​ interrogate gap-plasmon resonators through​​​‌ the thin metallic film,‌ from within the fiber.‌​‌ Such a biosensor can​​ potentially meet all the​​​‌ criteria of the ASSURED‌ framework.
NO-RESTRAIN (NOnlinear metasuRfacE‌​‌ on Silicon photodiode foR​​ infrAred detectIoN)

Participants: Jean-Michel​​​‌ Gerard [PHELIQS, CEA and‌ Université Grenoble Alpes, France]‌​‌, Mahmoud Elsawy,​​ Giuseppe Leo [CNRS-MPQ, Université​​​‌ Paris Cité, France],‌ Stéphane Lanteri.

  • Type:‌​‌ ANR
  • Duration: Oct 2024​​ to Sep 2027
  • Coordinator:​​​‌ CNRS-MPQ (Grenoble)
  • Partners: Inria‌ (ATLANTIS project-team), CNRS-MPQ, Université‌​‌ Paris Cité (Paris), PHELIQS,​​​‌ CEA and Université Grenoble​ Alpes (Grenoble)
  • Inria contact:​‌ Mahmoud Elsawy
  • In the​​ last years, metasurfaces have​​​‌ revolutionized the field of​ optics, with the promise​‌ of replacing bulky optical​​ systems and providing new​​​‌ functionalities by nanostructured thin​ films. Flat optics also​‌ showed its potential in​​ the nonlinear regime, mostly​​​‌ in III-V semiconductors, and​ in the NOMOS project​‌ MPQ and PHELIQS recently​​ achieved second harmonic generation​​​‌ with phase-front control in​ a nonlinear metasurface (NLMS).​‌ Today the NO-RESTRAIN project​​ aims to harness the​​​‌ full potential of NLMSs​ by tackling an old​‌ problem of nonlinear optics:​​ the upconversion of infrared​​​‌ radiation into the silicon​ absorption band via sum​‌ frequency generation (SFG). By​​ heterogeneous integration of a​​​‌ high-efficiency NLMS, a linear​ metalens and a single​‌ photon avalanche photodiode (SPAD),​​ the project will demonstrate​​​‌ a miniature device allowing​ for ultrafast detection of​‌ infrared signals with wavelength​​ beyond the fast-detection limit​​​‌ of InGaAs APDs. To​ this end, we will​‌ address a triple challenge​​ in design, forefront nanofabrication,​​​‌ and ultrafast characterization. Based​ on the complementary competences​‌ of partners INRIA ,​​ MPQ and PHELIQS in​​​‌ design, nanofabrication and nanophotonic​ measurements, we will both​‌ push forward fundamental research​​ and go beyond purely​​​‌ academic interest. The NO-RESTRAIN​ device will provide the​‌ breakthrough of ultrafast detection​​ of infrared radiation at​​​‌ 300 K, spurring the​ transition of the young​‌ NLMS research field from​​ fundamental research into a​​​‌ set of high-impact applied​ technologies.
DNN4Photonics (Deep Neural​‌ Networks for the design​​ of photonic devices)

Participants:​​​‌ Arthur Clini de Souza​, Mahmoud Elsawy,​‌ Stéphane Lanteri, Huynh​​ Thanh Phuong .​​​‌

  • Type: ANR-FAPESP
  • Duration: Jan​ 2025 to Jun 2028​‌
  • Coordinator: Inria (ATLANTIS project-team)​​
  • Partners: Laboratory of Applied​​​‌ and Computational Electromagnetics (LEMAC),​ Universidade Estadual de Campinas​‌ (Campinas, Brazil), Solnil (Marseille)​​
  • Inria contact: Stéphane Lanteri​​​‌
  • The team is coordinating​ the DNN4Photonics2 project.​‌ In DNN4Photonics, our primary​​ objective is to develop​​​‌ innovative methodologies relying on​ Deep Neural Networks (DNN)​‌ for the modeling and​​ optimization of diverse metasurface​​​‌ configurations, with a particular​ emphasis on large-scale structures.​‌ In DNN4Photonics, our research​​ thrust revolves around exploring​​​‌ data-driven DL techniques to​ develop rapid and dependable​‌ surrogates capable of emulating​​ the simulation of three-dimensional​​​‌ spatial domains involving complex​ scattering objects. Moreover, a​‌ key focus is to​​ find an intelligent and​​​‌ efficient formulation for DNN-based​ inverse design strategies (e.g.,​‌ retrieving the structural morphology​​ of a metasurface provided​​​‌ a target function) tailored​ for large-scale photonic devices.​‌ This encompasses not only​​ enhancing the efficiency and​​​‌ reliability of large-scale metasurface​ modeling but also strategically​‌ tailoring the designs for​​ applications demanding high precision,​​​‌ such as the optimization​ of RGB metalenses at​‌ visible frequency for achromatic,​​ micrometer- and millimeter-sized devices.​​​‌
MAXINET (Physics informed neural​ networks for harmonic Maxell​‌ equations)

Participants: Stéphane Descombes​​, Mahmoud Elsawy,​​​‌ Stéphane Lanteri, Alexandre​ Pugin.

  • Type: ANR-ASTRID​‌
  • Duration: Jan 2025 to​​ Dec 2028
  • Coordinator: Inria​​​‌ (ATLANTIS project-team)
  • Partners: Thales​ Research & Technology (Palaiseau)​‌
  • Inria contact: Stéphane Descombes​​
  • The team is coordinating​​ the MAXINET project, which​​​‌ aims to develop a‌ new generation of artificial‌​‌ intelligence (AI)-enhanced digital engineering​​ tools for the simulation​​​‌ time-harmonic electromagnetic wave propagation‌ and the design of‌​‌ radio-frequency components and systems.​​ These tools will be​​​‌ based on the Physics-Informed‌ Neural Network (PINN) and‌​‌ Neural Operator (NO) concepts,​​ which are modern concepts​​​‌ in Scientific Machine Learning‌ (SciML) research. MAXINET proposes‌​‌ to explore these concepts​​ by focusing on the​​​‌ scientific obstacles identified for‌ their effective application to‌​‌ the specificities of time-harmonic​​ electromagnetic wave propagation problems​​​‌ including non-trivial boundary conditions,‌ complex geometries and multi-material‌​‌ domains (heterogeneous media).

10.2.2​​ DGA/AID RAPID project

AEROCOM​​​‌ (Ultra-flat and low-cost antennas)‌

Participants: Ayoub Bellouch,‌​‌ Guillaume Bouchet [NANOE],​​ Guillaume de Calan [NANOE]​​​‌, Mahmoud Elsawy,‌ Van Hoang [Thales Research‌​‌ & Technology], Guillaume​​ Leroy, Stéphane Lanteri​​​‌, Julien Sourice [NANOE]‌, Erika Vandelle [Thales‌​‌ Research & Technology].​​

  • Type: RAPID
  • Duration: Jan​​​‌ 2023 to May 2026‌
  • Coordinator: NANOE (Palaiseau)
  • Partners:‌​‌ Inria (ATLANTIS project-team), Thales​​ Research & Technology (Palaiseau)​​​‌
  • Inria contact: Stéphane Lanteri‌
  • The development of agile,‌​‌ ultra-flat and low-cost Ka-band​​ antennas is a major​​​‌ challenge to enable Internet‌ accessibility in mobility, in‌​‌ particular on board of​​ public land and air​​​‌ transport (trains, buses, airliners),‌ and to secure communication‌​‌ servers (for combat aircraft,​​ military vehicles, etc.). A​​​‌ possible antenna architecture to‌ address this challenge is‌​‌ composed of a radiating​​ source and a deflection​​​‌ system consisting of two‌ deflectors. The compactness and‌​‌ the moderate cost of​​ the de-pointing system could​​​‌ be obtained thanks to‌ the sub-wavelength structuring technique,‌​‌ and to the shaping​​ by additive manufacturing. Indeed,​​​‌ the sub-wavelength patterning technique‌ has recently shown the‌​‌ possibility to realize antenna​​ components much thinner than​​​‌ a homogeneous bulk material,‌ with equivalent or even‌​‌ better radio frequency performance.​​ In this context, the​​​‌ general objective of our‌ contribution to the AEROCOM‌​‌ project is to develop​​ an advanced numerical methodology​​​‌ for the virtual design‌ of subwavelength structured deflectors‌​‌ and their cascading to​​ achieve an ultra-flat Ka-band​​​‌ antenna system consisting of‌ two such metadeflectors.

11‌​‌ Dissemination

Participants: Stéphane Descombes​​, Mahmoud Elsawy,​​​‌ Stéphane Lanteri, Claire‌ Scheid.

11.1 Promoting‌​‌ scientific activities

11.1.1 Scientific​​ events: organization

Member of​​​‌ the organizing committees
  • Stéphane‌ Lanteri was a member‌​‌ of the organization comittee​​ of the "ICON -​​​‌ Nonlinear cell photonics" thematic‌ semester of Université Côte‌​‌ d'Azur. The overarching ICON​​ project was to consolidate​​​‌ ongoing research initiatives at‌ Université Côte d'Azur, encompassing‌​‌ various aspects of photonics​​ and life sciences, from​​​‌ experimental and applied methods‌ to numerical modeling. Additionally,‌​‌ the project has enriched​​ these endeavors by integrating​​​‌ external insights and expertise,‌ fostering collaborations with researchers‌​‌ from France and beyond.​​ In this context, the​​​‌ ICON-W workshop has been‌ organized at Université Côte‌​‌ d'Azur on April 2-5,​​ 2025.

11.1.2 Invited talks​​​‌

  • "Advanced numerical design methodologies‌ for next-generation metasurface architectures",‌​‌ Mahmoud Elsawy , General​​ Assembly of GDR Ondes,​​​‌ October 29-30, 2025, Besançon,‌ France
  • "Trimer metasurfaces for‌​‌ highly sensitive biomedical sensors",​​​‌ Mahmoud Elsawy , PIERS​ 2025 - PhotonIcs &​‌ Electromagnetics Research Symposium, May​​ 4-8, 2025, Abu Dhabi,​​​‌ United Arab Emirates
  • "Numerical​ modelling in nanoplasmonics", Claire​‌ Scheid , Workshop in​​ honor of the 60th​​​‌ birthday of Patrick Ciarlet,​ June 17, 2025, Institut​‌ Henri Poincaré, Paris, France​​
  • "Inverse design of nanophotonic​​​‌ devices using high-order fullwave​ solvers and statistical learning​‌ global optimization algorithms" Stéphane​​ Lanteri , AES 2025​​​‌ - 11th International Conference​ on Antennas and Electromagnetic​‌ Systems, July 1-4, 2025,​​ Tangier, Morocco

11.1.3 Leadership​​​‌ within the scientific community​

  • Since July 2023, Claire​‌ Scheid is member of​​ the Scientific Committee of​​​‌ the "Maison de la​ simulation et des interactions"​‌ of Université Côte d'Azur​​
  • Since October 2024, Claire​​​‌ Scheid is an elected​ CNU (Comité National des​‌ Universités) member of the​​ 26th section (applied mathematics)​​​‌
  • Since June 2024, Stéphane​ Lanteri is a member​‌ of the Scientific Council​​ of the 3iA Côte​​​‌ d'Azur
  • Since January 2023,​ Mahmoud Elsawy is a​‌ member of the Scientific​​ Council of the academia​​​‌ of Complex System (Physics​ section) of Université Côte​‌ d'Azur Idex

11.1.4 Research​​ administration

  • Mahmoud Elsawy is​​​‌ a member of the​ ANR evaluation committee CE24​‌ in 2025 and 2026​​
  • Claire Scheid is responsible​​​‌ for the membership management​ of the applied and​‌ industrial mathematics french association​​ (SMAI) since January 2016​​​‌
  • Claire Scheid is responsible​ (on the math side)​‌ for the training programme​​ "Double Licence Mathématique-Physique" (L1​​​‌ to L3) of Université​ Côte d'Azur, since September​‌ 2024
  • Stéphane Descombes is​​ responsible of the second​​​‌ year of the master​ Mathematics for Data Sciences​‌ from Université Côte d'Azur​​ since September 2024
  • Stéphane​​​‌ Descombes is responsible of​ the second year of​‌ the double diploma Université​​ Côte d'Azur - EDHEC​​​‌ Business School since September​ 2023
  • Stéphane Lanteri is​‌ a member of the​​ Project-team Committee's Bureau of​​​‌ the Inria research center​ at Université Côte d'Azur​‌ since January 2022
  • Stéphane​​ Lanteri is a member​​​‌ of the Project-team Committee's​ Bureau of the Inria​‌ research center at Université​​ Côte d'Azur since January​​​‌ 2022
  • Since September 2022,​ Stéphane Lanteri is the​‌ Deputy Head of Science​​ of the Inria Research​​​‌ Center at Université Côte​ d'Azur

11.2 Teaching -​‌ Supervision - Juries -​​ Educational and pedagogical outreach​​​‌

11.2.1 Teaching

  • Mahmoud Elsawy​ , Resolution of linear​‌ and nonlinear systems, L3,​​ 12 h, Université Côte​​​‌ d'Azur
  • Mahmoud Elsawy ,​ Machine Learning in Python,​‌ MAM5, 12 h, Polytech​​ Nice Sophia, Université Côte​​​‌ d'Azur
  • Claire Scheid ,​ Option modélisation, M2 Agrégation,​‌ 45 h, Université Côte​​ d'Azur
  • Claire Scheid ,​​​‌ Approximation Numérique des fonctions,​ intégrales et équations différentielles,​‌ L3, 36 h, Université​​ Côte d'Azur
  • Claire Scheid​​​‌ , Complément d'algèbre linéaire,​ L2, 20 h, Université​‌ Côte d'Azur
  • Claire Scheid​​ , Equations différentielles ordinaires,​​​‌ L3, 11 h, Université​ Côte d'Azur
  • Stéphane Descombes​‌ , Scientific Machine Learning,​​ MAM5, 15 h, Polytech​​​‌ Nice Sophia, Université Côte​ d'Azur
  • Stéphane Descombes ,​‌ Approximation Numérique des fonctions,​​ intégrales et équations différentielles,​​​‌ L3, 28 h, Université​ Côte d'Azur
  • Stéphane Descombes​‌ , Introduction aux équations​​ aux dérivées partielles, M1,​​ 30 h, Université Côte​​​‌ d'Azur.
  • Stéphane Descombes ,‌ Calcul scientifique, M1, 30‌​‌ h, Université Côte d'Azur​​
  • Stéphane Descombes , Système​​​‌ dynamique et analyse numérique,‌ L3, 40 h, Université‌​‌ Côte d'Azur
  • Stéphane Lanteri​​ , Scientific Machine Learning,​​​‌ MAM5, 20 h, Polytech‌ Nice Sophia, Université Côte‌​‌ d'Azur

11.2.2 Supervision

  • PhD​​ in progress: Arthur Clini​​​‌ De Souza. (Cifre PhD‌ grant with Solnil, Marseille),‌​‌ Deep neural networks for​​ the design of large-scale​​​‌ photonic devices for active‌ beam steering, co-supervised by‌​‌ Mahmoud Elsawy and Stéphane​​ Lanteri .
  • PhD in​​​‌ progress: Daria Hrebenshchykova (PEPR‌ NumPEx PhD fellowship), Building‌​‌ physics-based multilevel substitution models​​ from neural networks. Application​​​‌ to electromagnetic wave propagation,‌ co-supervised by Victor Michel-Dansac‌​‌ (MACARON project-team, Centre Inria​​ de l'Université de Lorraine),​​​‌ Victorita Dolean (Eindhoven University‌ of Technology, The Netherlands)‌​‌ and Stéphane Lanteri .​​
  • PhD in progress: Enzo​​​‌ Isnard (Cifre PhD grant‌ with Thales Research &‌​‌ Technology, Palaiseau), Modeling and​​ optimization of freeform optical​​​‌ metasurfaces integrated into an‌ imaging system, co-supervised by‌​‌ Mahmoud Elsawy and Stéphane​​ Lanteri .
  • PhD in​​​‌ progress: Carlotta Filippin (ANR‌ SWAG-P PhD fellowship), Reduced-order‌​‌ modeling and global optimization​​ for the robust design​​​‌ of Gap Plasmon Resonators,‌ co-supervised by Claire Scheid‌​‌ , Antoine Moreau (Institut​​ Pascal, Université Clermont-Auvergne) and​​​‌ Stéphane Lanteri .
  • PhD‌ in progress: Roman Gelly‌​‌ (PhD fellowship from Université​​ Côte d'Azur), Advanced numerical​​​‌ modeling of time-modulated metasurfaces,‌ co-supervised by Mahmoud Elsawy‌​‌ and Stéphane Lanteri .​​
  • PhD defended: Thibault Laufroy​​​‌ (PhD fellowship from Université‌ Côte d'Azur), High order‌​‌ finite element type solvers​​ for thermoplamonics, co-supervised by​​​‌ Yves d'Angelo and Claire‌ Scheid . Defended in‌​‌ December 2025.
  • PhD in​​ progress: Cédric Legrand (DGA-Inria​​​‌ PhD fellowship), High order‌ finite element type solvers‌​‌ for modeling gain media,​​ co-supervised by Stéphane Descombes​​​‌ and Stéphane Lanteri .‌
  • PhD in progress: Huynh‌​‌ Thanh Phuong Lê (ANR-FAPEST​​ DNN4Photonics fellowship), Deep Learning​​​‌ methods for the design‌ of large-scale photonic devices,‌​‌ co-supervised by Mahmoud Elsawy​​ and Stéphane Lanteri .​​​‌
  • PhD in progress: Florentin‌ Proust, Novel finite element‌​‌ methods for dealing with​​ high frequency wave propagation​​​‌ problems, co-supervised by Maxime‌ Ingremeau (Université Côte d'Azur,‌​‌ LJAD) and Théophile Chaumont-Frelet​​ .
  • PhD in progress:​​​‌ Alexandre Pugin (DGA-Inria PhD‌ fellowship), Physically informed neural‌​‌ networks for building surrogate​​ models in numerical electromagnetics,​​​‌ co-supervised by Stéphane Descombes‌ and Stéphane Lanteri .‌​‌
  • Postdoc (until Sep 2025):​​ Ayoub Bellouch (AEROCOM RAPID​​​‌ project), Advanced computational design‌ of cascaded metadeflectors for‌​‌ an ultra-flat antenna system,​​ co-supervised by Mahmoud Elsawy​​​‌ and Stéphane Lanteri .‌
  • Postdoc in progress: Alemayehu‌​‌ Getahun Kumela (Inria Exploratory​​ Action META4PIQ), Metasurfaces for​​​‌ quantum information processing, supervised‌ by Mahmoud Elsawy .‌​‌
  • Postdoc in progress: Francisco​​ Teixeira Orlandini (ANR NO-RESTRAIN​​​‌ project), Computational design of‌ active and nonlinear optical‌​‌ metasurfaces, co-supervised by Mahmoud​​ Elsawy and Stéphane Lanteri​​​‌ .

11.2.3 Juries

  • Claire‌ Scheid was a member‌​‌ of the HDR committee​​ of Erell Jamelot: Contributions​​​‌ to the analysis of‌ finite element methods for‌​‌ models in electromagnetism, neutronics​​ and fluid dynamics, CEA​​​‌ Saclay, Institut Polytechnique de‌ Paris, September 2025.
  • Stéphane‌​‌ Lanteri was a reviewer​​​‌ and a member of​ the jury of the​‌ PhD thesis of Julien​​ Besset: A model order​​​‌ reduction strategy for parametrized​ PDEs: a new paradigm​‌ for efficient subsurface imaging,​​ Université de Pau et​​​‌ des Pays de l'Adour,​ June 2025.
  • Stéphane Lanteri​‌ was a member of​​ the jury of the​​​‌ PhD thesis of Adrien​ Talatizi: Simulation of ultrasonic​‌ wave propagation in polycrystalline​​ materials, Université Paris Sciences​​​‌ et Lettres, June 2025.​

12 Scientific production

12.1​‌ Major publications

  • 1 article​​E.Emmanuel Agullo,​​​‌ L.Luc Giraud,​ A.Alexis Gobé,​‌ M.Matthieu Kuhn,​​ S.Stephane Lanteri and​​​‌ L.Ludovic Moya.​ High order HDG method​‌ and domain decomposition solvers​​ for frequency‐domain electromagnetics.​​​‌International Journal of Numerical​ Modelling: Electronic Networks, Devices​‌ and FieldsOctober 2019​​HALDOIback to​​​‌ textback to text​
  • 2 miscT.Théophile​‌ Chaumont-Frelet. Asymptotically constant-free​​ and polynomial-degree-robust a posteriori​​​‌ estimates for space discretizations​ of the wave equation​‌.April 2022HAL​​
  • 3 miscT.Théophile​​​‌ Chaumont-Frelet, V.Victorita​ Dolean and M.Maxime​‌ Ingremeau. Efficient approximation​​ of high-frequency Helmholtz solutions​​​‌ by Gaussian coherent states​.August 2022HAL​‌
  • 4 unpublishedT.Théophile​​ Chaumont-Frelet, A.Alexandre​​​‌ Ern and M.Martin​ Vohralík. On the​‌ derivation of guaranteed and​​ p-robust a posteriori error​​​‌ estimates for the Helmholtz​ equation.August 2020​‌, working paper or​​ preprintHAL
  • 5 report​​​‌T.Théophile Chaumont-Frelet and​ M.Maxime Ingremeau.​‌ Decay of coefficients and​​ approximation rates in Gabor​​​‌ Gaussian frames.Inria​2023HAL
  • 6 article​‌A.Arthur Clini de​​ Souza, S.Stéphane​​​‌ Lanteri, H. E.​Hugo Enirique Hernández-Figueroa,​‌ M.Marco Abbarchi,​​ D.David Grosso,​​​‌ B.Badre Kerzabi and​ M.Mahmoud Elsawy.​‌ Back-propagation optimization and multi-valued​​ artificial neural networks for​​​‌ highly vivid structural color​ filter metasurfaces.Scientific​‌ Reports131December​​ 2023, 21352HAL​​​‌DOIback to text​back to text
  • 7​‌ articleS.Stéphane Descombes​​, S.Stéphane Lanteri​​​‌ and L.Ludovic Moya​. Locally implicit discontinuous​‌ Galerkin time domain method​​ for electromagnetic wave propagation​​​‌ in dispersive media applied​ to numerical dosimetry in​‌ biological tissues.SIAM​​ Journal on Scientific Computing​​​‌3852016,​ A2611-A2633HALDOI
  • 8​‌ articleS.Stéphane Descombes​​, S.Stéphane Lanteri​​​‌ and L.Ludovic Moya​. Temporal convergence analysis​‌ of a locally implicit​​ discontinuous galerkin time domain​​​‌ method for electromagnetic wave​ propagation in dispersive media​‌.Journal of Computational​​ and Applied Mathematics316​​​‌May 2017, 122--132​HALDOI
  • 9 article​‌M.Mahmoud Elsawy,​​ M.Mickael Binois,​​​‌ R.Régis Duvigneau,​ S.Stéphane Lanteri and​‌ P.Patrice Genevet.​​ Optimization of metasurfaces under​​​‌ geometrical uncertainty using statistical​ learning.Optics Express​‌29192021,​​ 29887HALDOIback​​​‌ to textback to​ text
  • 10 articleM.​‌ M.Mahmoud M R​​ Elsawy, A.Anthony​​​‌ Gourdin, M.Mickael​ Binois, R.Régis​‌ Duvigneau, D.Didier​​ Felbacq, S.Samira​​ Khadir, P.Patrice​​​‌ Genevet and S.Stéphane‌ Lanteri. Multiobjective statistical‌​‌ learning optimization of RGB​​ metalens.ACS photonics​​​‌88July 2021‌, 2498–2508HALDOI‌​‌back to textback​​ to text
  • 11 article​​​‌M. M.Mahmoud M‌ R Elsawy, S.‌​‌Stéphane Lanteri, R.​​Régis Duvigneau, G.​​​‌Gauthier Brière, M.‌ S.Mohamed Sabry Mohamed‌​‌ and P.Patrice Genevet​​. Global optimization of​​​‌ metasurface designs using statistical‌ learning methods.Scientific‌​‌ Reports91November​​ 2019HALDOIback​​​‌ to textback to‌ text
  • 12 articleM.‌​‌Mahmoud Elsawy, S.​​Stéphane Lanteri, R.​​​‌Régis Duvigneau, J.‌Jonathan Fan and P.‌​‌Patrice Genevet. Numerical​​ optimization methods for metasurfaces​​​‌.Laser and Photonics‌ Reviews1410October‌​‌ 2020, 1900445HAL​​DOIback to text​​​‌
  • 13 articleX.-F.Xiao-Feng‌ He, L.Liang‌​‌ Li, S.Stéphane​​ Lanteri and K.Kun​​​‌ Li. Model order‌ reduction for parameterized electromagnetic‌​‌ problems using matrix decomposition​​ and deep neural networks​​​‌.Journal of Computational‌ and Applied Mathematics431‌​‌October 2023, 115271​​HALDOIback to​​​‌ text
  • 14 articleX.-F.‌Xiao-Feng He, L.‌​‌Liang Li, S.​​Stéphane Lanteri and K.​​​‌Kun Li. Reduced‌ Order Modeling for Parameterized‌​‌ Electromagnetic Simulation Based on​​ Tensor Decomposition.IEEE​​​‌ Journal of Multiscale and‌ Multiphysics Computational Techniques8‌​‌August 2023, 296-305​​HALDOI
  • 15 article​​​‌S.Stephane Lanteri,‌ C.Claire Scheid and‌​‌ J.Jonathan Viquerat.​​ Analysis of a Generalized​​​‌ Dispersive Model Coupled to‌ a DGTD Method with‌​‌ Application to Nanophotonics.​​SIAM Journal on Scientific​​​‌ Computing393January‌ 2017, A831 -‌​‌ A859HALDOIback​​ to textback to​​​‌ text
  • 16 articleK.‌Kun Li, T.-Z.‌​‌Ting-Zhu Huang, L.​​Liang Li and S.​​​‌Stéphane Lanteri. A‌ reduced-order discontinuous Galerkin method‌​‌ based on a Krylov​​ subspace technique in nanophotonics​​​‌.Applied Mathematics and‌ Computation358October 2019‌​‌, 128-145HALDOI​​back to text
  • 17​​​‌ articleK.Kun Li‌, T.-Z.Ting-Zhu Huang‌​‌, L.Liang Li​​ and S.Stéphane Lanteri​​​‌. Non-intrusive reduced-order modeling‌ of parameterized electromagnetic scattering‌​‌ problems using cubic spline​​ interpolation.Journal of​​​‌ Scientific Computing872‌May 2021HALDOI‌​‌back to textback​​ to text
  • 18 article​​​‌K.Kun Li,‌ T.-Z.Ting-Zhu Huang,‌​‌ L.Liang Li and​​ S.Stéphane Lanteri.​​​‌ POD-based model order reduction‌ with an adaptive snapshot‌​‌ selection for a discontinuous​​ Galerkin approximation of the​​​‌ time-domain Maxwell's equations.‌Journal of Computational Physics‌​‌396November 2019,​​ 106-128HALDOIback​​​‌ to text
  • 19 article‌K.Kun Li,‌​‌ T.Ting‐zhu Huang,​​ L.Liang Li and​​​‌ S.Stéphane Lanteri.‌ Simulation of the interaction‌​‌ of light with 3‐D​​ metallic nanostructures using a​​​‌ proper orthogonal decomposition‐Galerkin reduced‐order‌ discontinuous Galerkin time‐domain method‌​‌.Numerical Methods for​​ Partial Differential EquationsSeptember​​​‌ 2022HALDOI
  • 20‌ articleK.Kun Li‌​‌, T.-Z.Ting-Zhu Huang​​​‌, L.Liang Li​, Y.Ying Zhao​‌ and S.Stéphane Lanteri​​. A non-intrusive model​​​‌ order reduction approach for​ parameterized time-domain Maxwell's equations​‌.Discrete and Continuous​​ Dynamical Systems - Series​​​‌ B281March​ 2022, 449-473HAL​‌DOI
  • 21 articleL.​​Liang Li, S.​​​‌Stéphane Lanteri and R.​Ronan Perrussel. A​‌ hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin method​​ combined to a Schwarz​​​‌ algorithm for the solution​ of 3d time-harmonic Maxwell's​‌ equations.Journal of​​ Computational Physics256January​​​‌ 2014, 563-581HAL​DOIback to text​‌
  • 22 articleK.Kun​​ Li, Y.Yixin​​​‌ Li, L.Liang​ Li and S.Stéphane​‌ Lanteri. Surrogate modeling​​ of time-domain electromagnetic wave​​​‌ propagation via dynamic mode​ decomposition and radial basis​‌ function.Journal of​​ Computational Physics491October​​​‌ 2023, 112354HAL​DOIback to text​‌
  • 23 articleN.Nikolai​​ Schmitt, C.Claire​​​‌ Scheid, S.Stéphane​ Lanteri, A.Antoine​‌ Moreau and J.Jonathan​​ Viquerat. A DGTD​​​‌ method for the numerical​ modeling of the interaction​‌ of light with nanometer​​ scale metallic structures taking​​​‌ into account non-local dispersion​ effects.Journal of​‌ Computational Physics316July​​ 2016HALDOI
  • 24​​​‌ articleN.Nikolai Schmitt​, C.Claire Scheid​‌, J.Jonathan Viquerat​​ and S.Stéphane Lanteri​​​‌. Simulation of three-dimensional​ nanoscale light interaction with​‌ spatially dispersive metals using​​ a high order curvilinear​​​‌ DGTD method.Journal​ of Computational Physics373​‌November 2018, 210-229​​HALback to text​​​‌

12.2 Publications of the​ year

International journals

International peer-reviewed conferences​‌

  • 27 inproceedingsA.Ayoub​​ Bellouch, M.Mahmoud​​​‌ Elsawy, S.Stéphane​ Lanteri, E.Erika​‌ Vandelle and T. Q.​​Thi Quynh Van Hoang​​​‌. Optimization strategy to​ design rotating nonlocal meta-deflectors​‌ for Risley-Prism antenna systems​​.IEEE XploreEuCAP​​​‌ 2025 - 19th European​ Conference on Antennas and​‌ Propagation2025 19th European​​ Conference on Antennas and​​​‌ Propagation (EuCAP)Stockholm, France​IEEEMarch 2025,​‌ 1-5HALDOIback​​ to text
  • 28 inproceedings​​​‌A.Ayoub Bellouch,​ M.Mahmoud Elsawy,​‌ G.Guillaume Leroy,​​ M.Mickael Binois,​​​‌ R.Régis Duvigneau and​ S.Stéphane Lanteri.​‌ Multi-Fidelity Bayesian Optimization of​​ Metasurface Designs.Technical​​​‌ Programme International Symposium on​ Electromagnetic Theory URSI EMTS​‌ 2025 / IEEE Xplore​​EMTS 2025 - 25th​​​‌ URSI International Symposium on​ Electromagnetic TheoryBologna, Italy​‌June 2025HALback​​ to text
  • 29 inproceedings​​T.Théophile Chaumont-Frelet,​​​‌ V.Victorita Dolean,‌ M.Maxime Ingremeau and‌​‌ F.Florentin Proust.​​ A Galerkin method with​​​‌ microlocalised shape functions to‌ solve high-frequency Helmholtz problems‌​‌.Book of abstracs​​Conference on Mathematics of​​​‌ Wave Phenomena 2025Karlsruhe,‌ GermanyFebruary 2025HAL‌​‌back to text
  • 30​​ inproceedingsV.Victorita Dolean​​​‌, D.Daria Hrebenshchykova‌, S.Stéphane Lanteri‌​‌ and V.Victor Michel-Dansac​​. Neural network-driven domain​​​‌ decomposition for efficient solutions‌ to the Helmholtz equation‌​‌.DD 2025 -​​ XXIX International Conference on​​​‌ Domain Decomposition Methods in‌ Science and EngineeringMilano,‌​‌ ItalyDecember 2025HAL​​back to text
  • 31​​​‌ inproceedingsM.Mahmoud Elsawy‌ and R.Roman Gelly‌​‌. Numerical modeling of​​ time-modulated metasurfaces with a​​​‌ Discontinuous Galerkin method.‌SpringerlinkOWTNM 2025 -‌​‌ 31st International Workshop on​​ Optical Wave & Waveguide​​​‌ Theory and Numerical Modelling‌Optical and Quantum Electronics‌​‌Nottingham, United KingdomApril​​ 2025HALback to​​​‌ text
  • 32 inproceedingsM.‌Mahmoud Elsawy, H.‌​‌Hao Wang, A.​​Arash Nemati, S.​​​‌Stéphane Lanteri and H.‌Haogang Cai. Trimer‌​‌ Metasurfaces for Highly Sensitive​​ Biomedical Sensors.IEEE​​​‌ XplorePIERS 2025 -‌ Progress in Electromagnetics Research‌​‌ Symposium2025 Photonics &​​ Electromagnetics Research Symposium -​​​‌ Spring (PIERS-Spring)Abu Dhabi,‌ United Arab EmiratesMay‌​‌ 2025HALback to​​ text
  • 33 inproceedingsT.​​​‌T. Hoang, E.‌E. Vandelle, A.‌​‌Ayoub Bellouch, M.​​Mahmoud Elsawy, S.​​​‌Stéphane Lanteri and B.‌B. Loiseaux. Low-profile‌​‌ Risley scanner using dielectric​​ nonlocal metasurfaces for Ka-band​​​‌ SATCOM applications.IEEE‌ XploreEuCAP 2025 -‌​‌ 19th European Conference on​​ Antennas and Propagation2025​​​‌ 19th European Conference on‌ Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP)‌​‌Stockholm, FranceIEEEMarch​​ 2025, 1-5HAL​​​‌DOIback to text‌
  • 34 inproceedingsC.Cédric‌​‌ Legrand, S.Stéphane​​ Lanteri and S.Stéphane​​​‌ Descombes. Semiclassical numerical‌ modeling of gain materials‌​‌ with a high order​​ discontinuous Galerkin time-domain solver​​​‌.ENUMATH 2023 -‌ European Conference on Numerical‌​‌ Mathematics and Advanced Applications​​154Lecture Notes in​​​‌ Computational Science and Engineering‌Lisbon, PortugalSpringer Nature‌​‌ SwitzerlandApril 2025,​​ 115-123HALDOI

Conferences​​​‌ without proceedings

  • 35 inproceedings‌M.Mahmoud Elsawy,‌​‌ A.Arthur Clini de​​ Souza, E.Enzo​​​‌ Isnard, R.Roman‌ Gelly and S.Stéphane‌​‌ Lanteri. Advanced numerical​​ design methodologies for next-generation​​​‌ metasurface architectures.GDR‌ Ondes 2025 - 11ème‌​‌ Conférence Plénière du GDR​​ ONDES SUPMICROTECH-ENSMMBesançon, France​​​‌October 2025HALback‌ to text
  • 36 inproceedings‌​‌C.Carlotta Filippin,​​ S.Stephane Lanteri,​​​‌ C.Claire Scheid,‌ F.F Pichi and‌​‌ M.M Strazzullo.​​ Graph-based nonlinear reduced-order modeling​​​‌ for time-domain electromagnetics.‌MORTech 2025 - 7th‌​‌ International Workshop on Model​​ Order Reduction TechniquesZaragoza,​​​‌ SpainNovember 2025HAL‌back to text
  • 37‌​‌ inproceedingsE.Enzo Isnard​​, S.Sébastien Héron​​​‌, M.Mahmoud Elsawy‌ and S.Stéphane Lanteri‌​‌. Optimization of imaging​​ systems containing metasurfaces using​​​‌ a ray-wave model.‌Metamaterials 2025 -19th International‌​‌ Congress on Artificial Materials​​​‌ for Novel Wave Phenomena​Amsterdam, NetherlandsSeptember 2025​‌HALback to text​​
  • 38 inproceedingsP. E.​​​‌Paloma E S Pellegrini​, F. T.Francisco​‌ T Orlandini, S.​​ V.Silvia V G​​​‌ Nista, S.Stéphane​ Lanteri, H. E.​‌Hugo Enrique Hernandez-Figueroa and​​ S.Stanislav Moshkalev.​​​‌ Thermal scanning probe lithography​ for fabrication of perforated​‌ metallic films.Integrated​​ Photonics Research, Silicon and​​​‌ NanophotonicsMarseille, FranceOptica​ Publishing Group2025,​‌ JM3B.3HALDOI

Scientific​​ book chapters

  • 39 inbook​​​‌M.Mahmoud Elsawy,​ A.Alexi Gobé,​‌ G.Guillaume Leroy,​​ S.Stéphane Lanteri and​​​‌ C.Claire Scheid.​ Advanced computational design of​‌ complex nanostructured photonic devices​​ using high order discontinuous​​​‌ Galerkin methods and statistical​ learning global optimization.​‌LNCSE-146Emerging Technologies in​​ Computational Sciences for Industry,​​​‌ Sustainability and InnovationLecture​ Notes in Computational Science​‌ and EngineeringSpringer Nature​​ SwitzerlandNovember 2025,​​​‌ 223-239HALDOIback​ to text

Edition (books,​‌ proceedings, special issue of​​ a journal)

  • 40 proceedings​​​‌CEMRACS 2023 - Scientific​ machine learning.CEMRACS​‌ 202381Luminy (CIRM,​​ Centre International de Rencontres​​​‌ Mathématiques), FranceEDP Sciences​October 2025, 1-1​‌HALDOI

Reports &​​ preprints

Other scientific publications

  • 46​‌ inproceedingsA.Arthur Clini​​ de Souza, S.​​​‌Stephane Lanteri, H.​Hugo Enrique Hernandez-Figueroa,​‌ M.Marco Abbarchi,​​ B.Badre Kerzabi,​​​‌ P. E.Paloma Elias​ da Silva Pellegrini,​‌ S. V.Silvia Vaz​​ Guerra Nista and M.​​​‌Mahmoud Elsawy. Deep​ learning methodolody for designing​‌ large scale matelenses in​​ reflection.NANOP 2025​​​‌ - Nanophotonics and Micro/Nano​ Optics International Conference 2025​‌Paris, FranceOctober 2025​​HAL
  • 47 inproceedingsC.​​​‌Carlotta Filippin, M.​Maria Strazzullo, S.​‌Stéphane Lanteri and F.​​Federico Pichi. Nonlinear​​​‌ reduced-order modeling for time-domain​ electromagnetics.EMS-TAG-SciML 2025​‌ - Annual Meeting of​​ EMS activity group on​​ Scientific Machine LearningMilan,​​​‌ ItalyMarch 2025HAL‌
  • 48 inproceedingsA.Alemayehu‌​‌ Getahun Kumela, S.​​Stephane Lanteri and M.​​​‌Mahmoud Elsawy. Advanced‌ nonlinear metasurface architecture for‌​‌ entangled photon pair generation​​.NANOP 2025: Functional​​​‌ NanophotonicsParis, FranceOctober‌ 2025HALback to‌​‌ text
  • 49 inproceedingsA.​​Alexandre Pugin, S.​​​‌Stéphane Lanteri and S.‌Stéphane Descombes. Application‌​‌ of Physics-Informed Neural Networks​​ to Maxwell equations.​​​‌Numerical Analysis School 2025‌ - Solving partial differential‌​‌ equations in fields physics​​ faster with physics-based machine​​​‌ learningPalaiseau, FranceJune‌ 2025HAL

12.3 Cited‌​‌ publications

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  • 51 book​​​‌G.G. Baffou.‌ Thermoplasmonics.Cambridge University‌​‌ Press2017back to​​ text
  • 52 articleT.​​​‌T. Chaumont-Frelet, V.‌V. Dolean and M.‌​‌M. Ingremeau. Efficient​​ approximation of high-frequency Helmholtz​​​‌ solutions by Gaussian coherent‌ states.Numer. Math.‌​‌1562024, 1385–1426​​back to textback​​​‌ to text
  • 53 article‌X.X. Chen,‌​‌ H.H.R. Park,​​ M.M. Pelton,​​​‌ X.X. Piao,‌ N.N.C. Lindquist,‌​‌ H.H. Im,​​ Y.Y.. Kim,​​​‌ J.J.S. Ahn,‌ K.K.J. Ahn,‌​‌ N.N. Park,​​ D.D.S. Kim and​​​‌ S.S.H. Oh.‌ Atomic layer lithography of‌​‌ wafer-scale nanogap arrays for​​ extreme confinement of electromagnetic​​​‌ waves.Nature Comm.‌42013, 2361‌​‌back to text
  • 54​​ articleH.H.T. Chen​​​‌, A.A.J. Taylor‌ and N.N. Yu‌​‌. A review of​​ metasurfaces: physics and applications​​​‌.Rep. Progr. Phys.‌7972016,‌​‌ 076401back to text​​
  • 55 articleC.C.​​​‌ Cirac\`i, R.R.T.‌ Hill, J.J.J‌​‌ Mock, Y.Y.​​ Urzhumov, A.A.I.​​​‌ Fernández-Domínguez, S.S.A.‌ Maier, J.J.B.‌​‌ Pendry, A.A.​​ Chilkoti and D.D.R.​​​‌ Smith. Probing the‌ ultimate limits of plasmonic‌​‌ enhancement.Science337​​60982012, 1072--1074​​​‌back to text
  • 56‌ articleF.F. Ding‌​‌, A.A. Pors​​ and S.S.I. Bozhevolnyi​​​‌. Gradient metasurfaces: a‌ review of fundamentals and‌​‌ applications.Rep. Progr.​​ Phys.8122018​​​‌, 026401back to‌ text
  • 57 articleR.‌​‌R. Duvigneau and P.​​P. Chandrashekar. Kriging-based​​​‌ optimization applied to flow‌ control.Int. J.‌​‌ Num. Fluids692012​​, 1701--1714back to​​​‌ text
  • 58 articleR.‌R. Duvigneau, J.‌​‌J. Labroquère and E.​​E. Guilmineau. Comparison​​​‌ of turbulence closures for‌ optimized active control.‌​‌Comput. Fluids1242016​​, 67--77back to​​​‌ text
  • 59 bookS.‌S.V. Gaponenko. Introduction‌​‌ to nanophotonics.Cambridge​​ University Press2010back​​​‌ to text
  • 60 article‌P.P. Genevet and‌​‌ F.F. Capasso.​​ Holographic optical metasurfaces: a​​​‌ review of current progress‌.Rep. Progr. Phys.‌​‌7822015,​​​‌ 024401back to text​
  • 61 articleY.Y.​‌ He, M.M.​​ Razi, C.C.​​​‌ Forestiere, L. D.​L. Dal Negro and​‌ R.R.M. Kirby.​​ Uncertainty quantification guided robust​​​‌ design for nanoparticles morphology​.Comp. Meth. Appl.​‌ Mech. Engrg.89336​​2018, 578--593back​​​‌ to text
  • 62 book​S.S.A. Maier.​‌ Plasmonics - Fundamentals and​​ applications.Springer2007​​​‌back to textback​ to text
  • 63 book​‌V.V.V. Mitin,​​ V.V.A. Kochelap and​​​‌ M.M.A. Stroscio.​ Introduction to nanoelectronics.​‌Cambridge University Press2012​​back to text
  • 64​​​‌ articleS.S. Molesky​, Z.Z. Lin​‌, A.A.Y. Piggott​​, W.W. Jin​​​‌, J.J. Vuckovic​ and A.A.W. Rodriguez​‌. Inverse design in​​ nanophotonics.Nat. Phot.​​​‌122018, 659--670​back to text
  • 65​‌ articleF.F. Pichi​​, B.B. Moya​​​‌ and J. H.J.S.​ Hesthaven a. A​‌ graph convolutional autoencoder approach​​ to model order reduction​​​‌ for parametrized PDEs.​J. Comput. Phys.501​‌2024, 112762back​​ to text
  • 66 article​​​‌G.G. Pichon,​ E.E. Darve,​‌ M.M. Faverge,​​ P.P. Ramet and​​​‌ J.J. Roman.​ Sparse supernodal solver using​‌ block low-rank compression: design​​ performance and analysis.​​​‌J. Comp. Sci.27​2018, 255--270back​‌ to text
  • 67 article​​M.M. Raissi,​​​‌ P.P. Perdikaris and​ G.G.E. Karniadakis.​‌ Physics-informed neural networks: a​​ deep learning framework for​​​‌ solving forward and inverse​ problems involving nonlinear partial​‌ differential equations.J.​​ Comput. Phys.3782019​​​‌, 686--707back to​ textback to text​‌
  • 68 articleM.M.​​ Sacher, F.F.​​​‌ Hauville, R.R.​ Duvigneau, O. L.​‌O. Le Mâitre,​​ N.N. Aubib and​​​‌ M.M. Durand.​ Efficient optimization procedure in​‌ non-linear fluid-structure interaction problem:​​ application to mainsail trimming​​​‌ in upwind conditions.​J. Fluids and Struct.​‌692017, 209--231​​back to text
  • 69​​​‌ phdthesisN.N. Schmitt​. High order simulation​‌ and calibration strategies for​​ spatial dispersion models in​​​‌ nanophotonics.University of​ Nice-Sophia Antipolis2018back​‌ to text
  • 70 article​​K.K. Yao,​​​‌ R.R. Unni and​ Y.Y. Zheng.​‌ Intelligent nanophotonics: merging photonics​​ and artificial intelligence at​​​‌ the nanoscale.Nanophot.​832019,​‌ Open AccessURL: https://doi.org/10.1515/nanoph-2018-0183​​back to text
  1. 1​​​‌1 fs = 1​ femtosecond= 10-15​‌ s; 1 ps =​​ 1 picosecond = 10​​​‌-12 s; 1​ ns = 1 nanosecond​‌ = 10-9​​ s.
  2. 2DNN4Photonics is​​​‌ also the acronym of​ the Inria associate team​‌ awarded to the team​​ is January 2024. This​​​‌ project consolidates and extends​ to an industrial partner​‌ our international collaboration with​​ the LEMAC laboratory headed​​​‌ by Hugo Enrique Hernandez​ Figueroa.