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3254 Topics
Tiago117
Tiago117Monochrome
asked in Got a question?
How to circularize an elliptical beam

Hello,I'm trying to take an elliptical beam (example from a laser - 26deg in X and 37deg in Y) as defined by the POP settings, using Gaussian Angle, and use a polynomial lens to circularize it.My problem is that I get a better fiber coupling efficiency using a standard circular aspherical lens than what the optimization wizard gives me for the polynomial lens.Are my assumptions wrong from the start or am I simply doing something wrong with the software?In steps:I define in the POP settings a Gaussian beam with an elliptical profile:In one simulation, I select an Even Asphere and using the POPD merit function, I get 93% mode coupling efficiency from a lens initially designed for a circular beam. The initial optimization wasn't even for the elliptical beam. It was for a circular one.But when I change the lens surface to a Polynomial one and set the different X and Y coefficients to variables, the simulation seems to only give me below 90% mode coupling efficiency. It never seems to reall

724
Tiago117
12 days ago
Sean Turner
Ultraviolet
Sean TurnerUltraviolet
posted in Got a question?
Zemax.com will be moving to Ansys.com

What does this announcement on the front page of www.zemax.com mean for this community forum and knowledgebase?I hope the forum will stay open, but in the case it gets shut down, will there be an equivalent forum on the Ansys website? Will legacy Zemax users have access without a license for an Ansys product?   

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Nicholas Herringer
Zemax Staff
13 days ago
N
Nicholas.CroglioMonochrome
asked in Licensing and Installation
How do we get the New ANSYS licenses to work?

The process to get the new ANSYS licenses to work is a nightmare!They do not have record of me being under support after paying more for support that my original license cost.Noone answers the help line!The instructions are garbage and some of the links do not work.The ANSYS system has no record either. [Mod edit: updated the title of the post.]

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Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
13 days ago
C
Chris.SvecInfrared
asked in Got a question?
Code V and OpticStudio under same roof -- what should users expect?

I’m interested in a statement about the path forward with the aquisition of Ansys by Synopsis -- now Code V and OpticStudio will be owned by the same company.  What can users expect? 

11768
Andrew_Davies
13 days ago
whit2452
whit2452Single Emitter
asked in Got a question?
How to model atmospheric dispersion

Hello there, how do you model atmospheric dispersion in Zemax? I have been searching online and can only find papers publishing the results of dispersion, no directions on how to implement it into my design. According to a source, “ZEMAX has a built-in atmospheric model to simulate the effects of refraction through Earth’s atmosphere. Six parameters control the model: observed zenith angle, ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure at the observer, relative humidity, height of the observer above sea level, and latitude of the observer.”How do I model this? I can adjust temperature and pressure in the environment window. Clarification would be greatly appreciated!

612
Sean Turner
Ultraviolet
14 days ago
Hui Chen
Zemax Staff
Hui ChenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
Jitter Series Part 2: Using OpticStudio STAR module to analyze high frequency jitter impact on PSF and MTF

IntroductionOptical systems in aerospace industry often experience random vibration excited by internal and external forces, ranging from engine noises, scanning motions, cryogenic cooling in airborne systems to gravity, winds, and other disturbances in ground-based systems. These random motions cause optical elements to shift position therefore impact system imaging performance and lead to Line-of-Sight (LOS) jitter and loss of image quality. Vibration jitter analysis is often required in such systems to help quantify performance degradation due to jitter and help guide optomechanical design and accurate system error budgeting. In addition to the Aerospace & Defense industry, jitter is also an important topic in imaging systems used in Automotive, LiDAR, and Consumer Electronics. In general, any imaging systems experiencing random vibration may see jitter impact on system MTF performance.   There are two types of LOS errors that are typically considered: Drift or DC pointing error

3782
Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
15 days ago
Hui Chen
Zemax Staff
Hui ChenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
Jitter Series Part 1: Using OpticStudio STAR module to analyze drift of Line of Sight due to temperature variation

IntroductionOptical systems are often subject to random vibrations due to internal and external disturbances. This causes elements to shift position and as a result the formed image also moves around on sensor. This movement of the beam is referred to as the Line-of-sight jitter. Jitter due to vibration can lead to system performance degradation, specifically line-of-sight error, image distortion, and loss of image resolution. In a sense any optical systems operating under field conditions are likely to experience some levels of structural vibration. But jitter analysis is particularly important for applications in the Aerospace & Defense and Automotive industries, for example, a head-up display mounted in a car driving on a bumpy road, a camera mounted on an aircraft in flight, a space telescope launched in orbit observing earth or other celestial objects. Vibrations exist in these systems and degrade the system performance. In an imaging system where image registration and resolu

4973
Great_Dr_Park
16 days ago
Vlad I
Vlad IDark Energy
asked in Got a question?
Single Mode Source Diode

I am looking at parameters list for a source diodeParameters 7 - 9 are divergence anglesParameters 16 - 18 are Gaussian widths of the spatial distribution But doesn’t Gaussian widths define divergence for the Gaussian beam at its waist ?Should be parameter be connected for M2=1?    

260
Vlad I
17 days ago
D
En-Lightened
Don DickinsonEn-Lightened
posted in Licensing and Installation
Zemax software compatibility with new Apple M1 computers

Hello! Apple recently introduced a Macbook with a new “M1” CPU, rather than the usual Intel CPU. This new CPU requires that any software written for standard Intel or AMD processors has to either be re-written for the new CPU or emulated via virtual machine software such as Virtualbox, VMware Fusion, or Parallels. Zemax products (OpticStudio, OpticsViewer, and OpticsBuilder) are WIndows based rather than native Apple applications, so they will not be rewritten for the M1 CPU.  Zemax software has worked fine with virtual machines on Apple computers in the past. However, as reported by some Zemax customers, it appears that Parallels is still in Beta on this platform, and that there is also a “preview edition” of Windows 10.  Zemax uses Thales (formerly Sentinel) licensing technology which does not support preview or beta editions of Windows 10. This means even if Opticstudio installs, you cannot access a license (either a black USB key red key , green key, or software-based (softkey) lic

319316
D
En-Lightened
17 days ago
E
Zemax Staff
Erin.ElliottZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
Setup tips in nonsequential mode: An off-axis parabola example

Objects in nonsequential mode can be used as reference points, and set so that they don’t interact with the rays.  This is useful for setting up folded systems, Boolean objects that are combinations of other objects, and systems with CAD parts referenced to a mechanical coordinate system.  Also, Source Rays can be used with optimization to automatically position parts along a gut ray. An off-axis parabola (OAP) created as a Boolean combination of two other objectsI’ve created an off-axis parabola (OAP) file that illustrates those techniques.  The mirror is a Boolean combination of two objects: a parabolic “lens” and a cylinder volume.  I’ve placed spheres at the origin of each part by referencing the Sphere to its object in the Ref. Object column of the Nonsequential Component Editor (NSCE).  I’ve also color-coded rows and objects to display in the same color using,Properties / Type / Row Color and Properties / Draw / Object Color. NSCE with reference spheres, axes, and source rays use

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E
Zemax Staff
18 days ago
David.Nguyen
Luminary
David.NguyenLuminary
asked in Got a question?
How to explain the location of the object principal plane in a thick plano-convex lens

From reading this interesting discussion below.I went down a rabbit hole when I was figuring out where the object principal plane of a thick plano-convex lens is. I’ve been taught to find the principal planes like its described at RP Photonics, that is:extrapolate the ingoing and outgoing rays such that they meet in a planeHowever, when rays parallel to the optical axis enter through the plane face of the lens, the ingoing and outgoing rays will meet exactly along the convex face, which is not a plane.Therefore, I believe the principal plane is defined as the plane coincident with the convex surface vertex. At least, this is what I’ve taken away when I used OpticStudio (surface 1 is the convex surface).I also found this information here:Plano-convex and plano-concave lenses have one principal plane that intersects the optical axis, at the edge of the curved surface, and the other plane buried inside the glass.I can accept this definition, but I was curious, from a teaching perspective,

1234
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
18 days ago
whit2452
whit2452Single Emitter
asked in Got a question?
How to make Reflective Slit

Hello there, the question is as the title states. I want to design an assembly where there is a reflective slit, how do I enable some of the rays to pass through the aperture and the other ryas to be reflected at an angle into another camera? I’ve seen resources on multi-configurations, but that is not quite what I am doing. Any resources or examples of others doing this greatly appreciated. I know it is possible, just not sure how. 

381
David.Nguyen
Luminary
19 days ago
Mike.Jones
Fully Spectral
Mike.JonesFully Spectral
asked in Got a question?
What is going on in NSC Shaded Model?

Version 24.1 NSC Shaded Model hangs up big time, especially after I minimize it then restore it.  No response at all to mouse or keyboard.  I have to kill it and restart it.When will this bug be fixed?  This is a BUG, not a feature.  Please repair in an interim release.Mike 

1626
Benjamin.N
21 days ago
Rich_G
Rich_GSingle Emitter
asked in Got a question?
Wavefront Change at Image Plane and Just Before Image Plane

Why and how does the wavefront change by such a large amount (~10x) between the line just before the image plane and the image plane where the line before is at the image plane position and makes no changes (neutral/dummy line).

813
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
21 days ago
Tiago117
Tiago117Monochrome
asked in Got a question?
How to design a prism with a lens (one continuous solid)?

Hello,I'm trying to create a prism in the software, using sequential mode, and encountering some issues. But I have since found an example that does some things differently, so maybe there is a way forward.Basically, light enters a prism through a wall, at 90deg, and then encounters a 45deg wall, that will induce total internal reflection. But instead of simply coming out of the other flat surface, my device will have a lens on that side, and a much longer path. All of this is being done inside a solid. Meaning, no joined parts or anything. Just one big block of material.I took the sample and edited it to approximate my desire. All dimensions are exaggerated.The thing is, when i tried to do it, I encountered some problems. Although i can start to see why, based on the sample, that I didn't make use of distances in the coordinate breaks. Also, in my simulation, I kept having erratic and non repeatable results in terms of efficiency.And as you can see, my prism is "inside" my lens, of so

20913
David.Nguyen
Luminary
21 days ago
Masato.Aketagawa
Masato.AketagawaSingle Emitter
asked in Got a question?
About the units of Zernike coefficients listed in Zemax lens data

In Zemax lens data, please tell me the units of the Zernike coefficients listed in the Zernike surface column, the units of the beam size listed in the light source column, and whether the beam is a radius or a diameter.

210
Masato.Aketagawa
21 days ago
CJ27
CJ27Student
asked in Got a question?
High NA system design - Collimated beam

Hi there friends from the OpticStudio community,Today I have a question related to a general optics design problem.I’m trying to generate a system similar to what is presented in the following publication:https://opg.optica.org/ol/fulltext.cfm?uri=ol-42-6-1043&id=360492In essence, the design problem consists of generating a high NA system which can be used to image molecules or atoms in a vacuum environment. The approach used in this case consists of using a Weierstrass type solid immersion lens in combination with two aspherical surfaces in order to generate a collimated beam for an on axis point object.Since the geometry of the Weierstrass geometry is fixed, the only degrees of freedom that I have are the parameters related to my two aspherical surfaces. In the following figure you can take a look to the system I have at the moment:In this case, I optimized this system in the afocal configuration with the merit function defined to have a well corrected planar wavefront. After tha

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Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
24 days ago
John.Hygelund
Fully Spectral
John.HygelundFully Spectral
asked in Got a question?
How to update lens prescription inside tolerance script

I would like to update LDE parameters inside a tolerance script.For example, I want to perform the tolerancing and compensator optimization under the simulated alignment conditions, and then change the object distance and curvature to the use case and then recompute the merit function. I don’t see any tolerance script commands that allow updates to the lens prescription.Any advice is greatly appreciated!-John

755
Sean Turner
Ultraviolet
24 days ago
Yujie
YujieStudent
asked in Got a question?
Question about the merit operator of the RMS radius in the Full Field Spot Diagram

Hi Experts, I’m working on optimizing and evaluating system performance across different fields of view using the RMS radius in the Full Field Spot Diagram (not just the Spot Diagram) in the Merit Function and Universal Plot. Our application requires evaluating all fields of view together or treating them as one. I’m familiar with RSRE and other operators, but they seem to focus more on a single field of view in the Spot Diagram. I haven’t come across an operator that calculates the RMS radius for the Full Field Spot Diagram.If anyone could offer some guidance or suggestions, I would be truly grateful. Thank you so much in advance for your help! 

582
Yujie
25 days ago
Mike.Jones
Fully Spectral
Mike.JonesFully Spectral
asked in Got a question?
Put "T" rather than "P" in the LDE for thermal pickups.

Seemingly simple enough to do - have the LDE show T for thermal pickups and P for regular pickups.  We can’t tell which are which while doing thermal design.  It’s a productivity enhancement thing, and it’s important.  Thanks, Mike 

392
Mike.Jones
Fully Spectral
25 days ago
Allie
Zemax Staff
AllieZemax Staff
published in User News & Alerts
Zemax Case Support is Moving!

The time is finally here! Only three years after being acquired, Zemax support is moving into the Ansys systems 🎉🎉🎉.If you used support in the last year, then you likely already received a notice about this migration. In addition to that, I have put together an FAQ about the move to help answer some of the common questions we are seeing from users. See the FAQ below, and feel free to comment with any other questions! Where do I go to open a support case with Zemax now?Support cases will be handled in the Ansys Customer Support Space (ACSS) going forward. You can access ACSS here: https://customer.ansys.com.If the account you are listed under has an active Zemax subscription, you will be able to create a case under the Optical Family with Zemax OpticStudio selected as the Application. You can review the active subscriptions at your account by navigating to My Products in ACSS. Can I still email support at the Zemax Support email addresses?No. The Zemax Support email addresses will be

2505
R
Ultraviolet
25 days ago
whit2452
whit2452Single Emitter
asked in Got a question?
How to plot all field lines on a PSF

Hello there, I have a basic system of lenses focusing incoming light from a laser beam onto a camera. I have a 1000 um pinhole slit, and populated it with various field lines. My question now is how can I measure the spot size or point spread function of the beam accounting for ALL field lines. The spot diagram gives me the RMS but only of each unique field line, not combined. The footprint diagram shows the overlay of each field line but does not give me a measured spot size.The PSF does not allow me to plot more than 1 field line at a time.  Thank you for any guidance, this community has been very helpful in the past.  This is my very basic design. Order of surfaces is pinhole slit, collimating lens, diffraction grating, focusing lens, and camera detector.  

271
David.Nguyen
Luminary
26 days ago
C
Fully Spectral
Chandan.MauryaFully Spectral
asked in Got a question?
Setting NA of the fiber in non - sequential mode

Dear Sir/Madam,Happy New Year!I am trying to simulated the fiber with NA 0.22. For this I have taken Core RI 1.49 and claculated the cladding RI for desired NA, it is coming 1.473. I have used the formula NA = sqrt(core_RI^2 - cladding_RI^2).I am using “cylindrical volume” to simulate the fiber in non-sequential mode. Is this the right approach to have a fiber with desired NA in Zemax? Doubting because…...When I changed the NA of fiber to 0.5(core RI 1.45 - cladding RI 1.3610), just to check wheater coupling efficiency is changing or not. I am getting same power at detector, placed at front surface of fiber! and hence same Coupling efficiency.I am attaching the zemax file of my Simulation for your reference.A comment would be appreciated.Thankyou.

35738
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
26 days ago
MarcoVentura
MarcoVenturaSingle Emitter
asked in Got a question?
Detector rectangle problem

Hi,I have created two Detector Rectangle objects to check the beam shape at different planes. I set them with different size and pixelization (one squared and one rectangular). However in the detector viewer i keep seeing a much bigger detector area, always with X and Y coordinates spanning from -90 to 90 for both the axis and detectors. Moreover none of them has that dimension. Why do i see such an effect?Thanks,Marco

562
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
27 days ago
G
guangjun.gao@nasa.gov
asked in People & Pointers
How to apply a as-measured surface irregularity DAT file on the clear aperture of OAP?

Hi, all, I have a as-measured surface irregularity file (converted from Zygo int into zemax dat file). I need to apply this on the clear aperture of off-axis parabola (OAP) surface. However, it seems that this DAT is applied on the vertex of OAP mirror, rather than the clear aperture of OAP. Is there a way to shift the DAT file so that it is applied on the clear aperture?  Thanks. [See the attached zar file for detail]  

211
G
27 days ago

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