# Bayesian optimization with improved scalability and derivative information for efficient design of nanophotonic structures

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2101.02972 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2101.02972/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 4 of its 72 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 8 Jan 2021.

## Builds on (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [Bayesian Optimization with Gradients](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1703.04389/) (2017)
- [Exploiting gradients and Hessians in Bayesian optimization and Bayesian quadrature](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1704.00060/) (2017)
- [Benchmarking five global optimization approaches for nano-optical shape optimization and parameter reconstruction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1809.06674/) (2018)
- [An analytic comparison of regularization methods for Gaussian Processes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1602.00853/) (2016)

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Inverse Design in Nanophotonics via Representation Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.00546/) (2025)
- [Recent advances in Bayesian optimization with applications to parameter reconstruction in optical nano-metrology](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2107.05499/) (2021)
- [Gradient-Informed Bayesian and Interior Point Optimization for Efficient Inverse Design in Nanophotonics](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.18148/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

We propose the combination of forward shape derivatives and the use of an iterative inversion scheme for Bayesian optimization to find optimal designs of nanophotonic devices. This approach widens the range of applicability of Bayesian optmization to situations where a larger number of iterations is required and where derivative information is available. This was previously impractical because the computational efforts required to identify the next evaluation point in the parameter space became much larger than the actual evaluation of the objective function. We demonstrate an implementation of the method by optimizing a waveguide edge coupler.