Multiphysics Simulation Benefits for Fiber Optics Implementation

Discover the evolution and future trajectory of the fiber optics industry, emphasizing the critical role of multiphysics simulation in designing compact, high-performance optical systems and integrating AI for enhanced development.
Sept. 24, 2026

Multiphysics simulation can be extremely useful for the design and implementation of advanced fiber optics communication systems, using technologies like spatial division multiplexing and co-packaged optics to achieve peak performance. In this Ask The Expert, Andrew Strikwerda, a senior application manager in electromagnetics at COMSOL who holds a PhD in physics from Boston University, discusses how multiphysics simulation can help drive innovation in this space.

In this Ask The Expert interview, you’ll discover:

  • How has the fiber optics industry developed over the last fifty years? Where is it going in the future?
  • Why multiphysics simulation is critical to modern optical communication systems — fiber optics — which operate at the intersection of multiple physics domains, often in extremely small packages
  • How simulation allows you to “iterate in silicon,” saving time and expense, while understanding your product or implementation better than ever before.
  • Where AI can help with design simulation… and where you need to use engineering judgement to produce accurate and helpful results.