Name: Integrated Photonic Circuit Design with Nazca & KLayout
Rating: 4.8 (17 reviews)

Udemy Business

Teach on Udemy

Turn what you know into an opportunity and reach millions around the world.

Learn More

Your cart is empty.

Keep shopping

Created byMattia Conti

Last updated 11/2025

English

What you'll learn

Understand the Workflow of Integrated Photonic IC Design
Discover the connection between python and photonics
Design and Export Your Own Photonic Layouts in Nazca
Create Customizable Photonic Building Blocks
Use KLayout to visualize Photonic designs and check them with design rule verification (DRC)
Turn Your Photonic Design Idea into a Real Chip Layout (GDS File)

Course content

8 sections • 26 lectures • 4h 37m total length

Introduction5:00
Welcome to the course! In this video, I introduce myself and walk you through the course structure, key topics, and practical details to help you get started smoothly.
Requirements2:03
In this lecture, I'll walk you through the requirements you'll need to follow the course effectively.
Install Nazca Design2:37
In this lecture, I introduce the core materials we'll use throughout the course and guide you through installing Nazca Design in Google Colab, our main development platform.

Create Your First GDS file7:00
In this step-by-step guide, you'll learn how to start using Nazca Design by creating your first rectangle and exporting it as a GDS file.
Time to change name
Length is important after all
Open Your First GDS file3:41
In this lecture, you'll learn how to open and explore your GDS file using KLayout, a powerful tool for visualizing and verifying photonic layouts.
Section 2 Summary Quiz

Start Nazca Exploration7:22
How to use the nazca.strt() function
Create a emoji in Nazca
Create the number 3 in Nazca
Continue Nazca Exploration7:07
How to use nazca.bend() function. How to connect two geometries together.
Create letters in Nazca
Create symbols in Nazca
Layers description11:59
An introduction to the layers of the test PDK, covering both theoretical concepts and practical implementation.
Correct the mistake
Create a bend waveguide with WVG + FIL
Cross Section15:16
An introduction to the X sections of the test PDK from both theoretical and practical perspective. Introduction of the WVG X section with Nazca design.
Add an additional X Section
(Expert Only) Create a bend function that solve the overgrow issue
Section 3 Summary Quiz

It's a barcode13:55
Use the waveguide x section to generate a barcode in Nazca Design.
Create a BarCode function using a metal layer
(Expert Only) Create a function to generate a QRCode
Building Block Preparation10:49
Understand how to use pin and explore new nazca function: sbend_p2p, ubend_p2p and strt_bend_strt_p2p
What is your pin ?
Triangles in Nazca
Building Block: Directional Coupler17:11
What is a directional coupler and how to create one in Nazca design as a building block function.
Experimenting with the Directional Coupler10:18
Learn how to strategically place building block replicas.
Dive deep into the directional coupler.
Improve that function!
It's time to Ring11:11
What is a ring resonator and how to create one in Nazca design as a building block function.
Improve that function 2.0
Not all ring resonator are the same
Section 4 Summary Quiz

Complete the PDTEI with all the layers and X-Sections19:25
Insert all the layer and cross section in nazca design.
Building Block: Photodiode15:55
What is a photodiode and how to create one in Nazca design as a building block function.
Are we compliant with the PDK rules ?
Photodiode in action
Small note on Nazca function1:56
How to avoid the warning when place two building block from the same building block function.
Building Block: Heater8:24
What is a phase shifter induced by thermal effect (also called heater) from a theoretical level and how to create one in Nazca design as a building block function.
Twist the Heat
Section 5 Summary Quiz

One Cell to Rule Them All17:05
Create a reusable product cell function that can be called whenever you need to generate a standardized cell. This function should include all essential elements such as the die edge, identification barcode, and metal pads.
The Cell isn't perfect, yet
Use the Cell
Mach Zehnder Interferometer14:46
In this lecture you'll learn what is a Mach Zehnder interferometer from a theoretical point of you and how to create one in Nazca design.
Final Touches on the MZI
Add BB to the optical circuit17:22
In this lecture we'll add the final BB to create the optical modulator for internal feedback.
Almost there!
What if I want to rotate everything ?
Covered by metal22:54
Complete the optical circuit by connecting the metal pads with the active building blocks
Section 6 Summary Quiz

Requirements

Basic python programming skills (Can you answer: what are variables and functions?)
Basic photonic understanding (Can you answer: what is a waveguide)

Description

Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) design? This course is built for engineers, researchers, and curious learners eager to master the design of photonic circuits using powerful open-source tools: Nazca Design and KLayout.

Guided by Mattia Conti, a photonic engineer with industry experience, you’ll learn how to design core building blocks such as waveguides, photodiodes, phase shifters, and interferometers, and assemble them into complete circuits. You’ll then use KLayout to visualize your designs, run Design Rule Checks (DRC), and prepare layouts for fabrication.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to create and export photonic layouts in GDS format, ready for integration into real-world workflows. This training provides a clear, structured path to mastering PIC design, giving you the confidence to design and verify circuits that meet fabrication standards.

From students stepping into integrated photonics for the first time to professionals expanding their toolkit, the course equips you with practical, industry-relevant skills that accelerate learning and open new career opportunities worldwide.

You’ll practice real workflows, build reusable components using Python, and export fabrication-ready layouts, gaining confidence through step-by-step projects, checklists, and practical tips drawn from industry experience, and portfolio-building exercises.

Who this course is for:

Graduate Students in Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, or Nanotechnology
Professionals Transitioning into Integrated Photonics
Researchers in Optical Communications and Quantum Technologies
Educators or Teaching Assistants in Optics/Photonics
Curious Learners with Technical Backgrounds

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction3 lectures • 10min

First GDS2 lectures • 11min

Explore Nazca Design Function4 lectures • 42min

Your First Photonic Building Block5 lectures • 1hr 3min

Multi-layers Building Block4 lectures • 46min

Final Optical Circuit4 lectures • 1hr 12min

Design Rule Check3 lectures • 33min

Farewell1 lecture • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: