In recent years, hybrid design strategies combining machine learning (ML)
with electromagnetic optimization algorithms have emerged as a new paradigm for
the inverse design of photonic structures and devices. While a trained,
data-driven neural network can rapidly identify solutions near the global
optimum with a given dataset's design space, an iterative optimization
algorithm can further refine the solution and overcome dataset limitations.
Furthermore, such hybrid ML-optimization methodologies can reduce computational
costs and expedite the discovery of novel electromagnetic components. However,
existing hybrid ML-optimization methods have yet to optimize across both
materials and geometries in a single integrated and user-friendly environment.
In addition, due to the challenge of acquiring large datasets for ML, as well
as the exponential growth of isolated models being trained for photonics
design, there is a need to standardize the ML-optimization workflow while
making the pre-trained models easily accessible. Motivated by these challenges,
here we introduce DeepAdjoint, a general-purpose, open-source, and
multi-objective "all-in-one" global photonics inverse design application
framework which integrates pre-trained deep generative networks with
state-of-the-art electromagnetic optimization algorithms such as the adjoint
variables method. DeepAdjoint allows a designer to specify an arbitrary optical
design target, then obtain a photonic structure that is robust to fabrication
tolerances and possesses the desired optical properties - all within a single
user-guided application interface. Our framework thus paves a path towards the
systematic unification of ML and optimization algorithms for photonic inverse
design