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2993 Topics
I
Iari.MarinoInfrared
asked in Got a question?
Tilting/Centring tolerance indication

For an Even Asphere surface: the tilt tolerance is represented by the TETX/TETY operands with Surf1 and Surf2 pointing to the same surface number. the centering tolerance is represented by the TEDX/TEDY operands with Surf1 and Surf2 pointing to the same surface number. The TETX/TETY values are correctly written in “sigma” place of the 4/ sigma (L) indication of the drawing. On the contrary, TEDX/TEDY values are not written in “L” place of the 4/ sigma (L) indication in the drawing. Why? Is the only solution to compile the “L” value in the drawing manually? Thank you

281
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
R
Renaud.LigotInfrared
posted in Got a question?
ISO drawing edge thickness

Hi In addition to my previous post (“units in the new ISO element drawing”) I would like to point out that the edge thickness annotation that has been added to the ISO drawing in the last update Zemax OS is not always correctly calculated! See example below where the edge thickness is clearly not the sum of the central thickness and the sag of the surfaces (by the way, the SAG are also not correct) . Moreover the number of decimals is a bit exaggerated in my opinion. I think having edge thickness and total thickness of the lens indicated is a real plus (if correctly calculated 😏) but then it would be interesting to be able adding the tolerance on those values.

1373
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
bdoc
bdocMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
Control of back reflections during design process

Hello, I have some questions about back reflections analysis. To check a lens design for potentially dangerous back reflections I use the ghost analysis tool. However, after changing the lens design, I have to do this again and again. Is there a quicker way to check for back reflections during the design process, for example by using NSC? The only way I found so far, is to use “split NSC rays” in the 3D layout. However, I still cannot control the distance of the back reflection to the lens surfaces. Is it possible to define a minimum distance of the back reflection to each lens surface by using an operator? I’m only interested in single bounce reflections, double bounce can be neglected. Thanks in advance! Best Regards, Ben

1222
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
pricecj
pricecjMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
Beam Profile Analysis using Physical Optics Propagation

I would like to use POP to measure the size and profile of a beam as it approaches its focal position, however, I am struggling to configure this correctly. The model is a recreation of an experiment I have setup in the lab as I would like to compare the results. The input beam has a very low divergence value (~0.04 mrads, NA 0.000035), and a single achromat lens is used to focus the beam. The position of the lens relative to the source has been set to give a diameter of ~ 2 mm at this surface. Using the tutorial https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500005488601-Using-Physical-Optics-Propagation-POP-Part-1-Inspecting-the-beams I cofnigured the aperture type and POP seetings to create the approprite beam definiton and launch conditions. I then placed various dummy surfaces throughout the system to assess the beam waist. The problem arises when the beam reaches the lens surface (surface 3). No matter how much I change the size of the sampling grids of the previous surfaces (1 and

171
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
Baran.4
Baran.4Monochrome
asked in Got a question?
The prism changing the effective focal length.

Hello everyone,I have an optical design with an effective focal length of 250 mm. However, after adding a Schmidt prism, the effective focal length becomes -0.106 mm, whereas it should be around -205 mm. Could you please help me with this issue?

221
D
Leon
LeonInfrared
asked in Got a question?
Source Diffractive or Physical Optics?

I intend to model the diffractions of some structures more complex than a double-slit. One option is using non-sequential mode Source Diffractive, I can directly build these structures. Another option is using Physical Optics, I need insert a non-sequential component with all these these structures in it. Which is better??? Thank you for help.

966
Leon
Rasoul
RasoulMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
Designing Objective using Gaussian Beam

Hi, I wanted to design an objective lens. Since I use a laser source, should I do any configuration in Zemax for this purpose? Thanks in advance. Rasoul

60
Rasoul
A
Ultraviolet
Aleksandr.MakarovUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
Issue Saving BIM File in 'Geometric Image Analysis' (Zemax 24R2 / 25R1)

I'm encountering a potential issue in Zemax OpticStudio versions 24R2 and 25R1. Specifically, the "Save as BIM File" functionality in the Geometric Image Analysis tool does not appear to be working. I tested saving with filenames like 1 and 1.png, but no file was created — neither in the UI manually, nor via the ZOS-API (Python interface). For comparison, both Geometric Bitmap Image Analysis and Image Simulation successfully generate output files using the same save dialog. Could this be a bug in these versions, or is there a known workaround?

361
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
D
DusanInfrared
asked in Got a question?
OpticStudio 23.2.1 "freezes" while saving file

Hello Using Interference Example 1- A Simple Interferometer from SAMPLES folder I created a simple setup to test a right-angle prism with pyramidal error. At the end I wanted to save the file but OS just froze and didn’t react any more - even after a longer time. I ended the program in Task Manager and opened it again without problem. The file to-be-saved before seemed to have saved well and it was possible to continue the work. I tried to save again and OS froze again. And so many times… In my last trial I wanted to check Preferences and after some time in Preferences OS froze again. All other sequential and non-sequential files that I have behave normally. What could be the reason. Attached is the screenshot of the file. Thanks, Dusan

160
D
jsung
Ultraviolet
jsungUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
How do we capture lumen in a cone angle form detector polar

When we use detector polar to see far field intensity distribution from an illumination optics we can see the total lumen output captured at the bottom of the detector display or in the text tab. Screenshot below is an example from a TIR optics with diffusing elements. But sometimes I also need to see the lumen contained in certain beam angle (FWHM 50%) or field angle (10% intensity). Is there some easy way to get that in NSC mode? Or should I try ray string filter method with saved rays? JS

110
jsung
Ultraviolet
dmcbee
dmcbeeMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
Evaluating refractive error at the corneal/spectacle plane in a Human Eye Model

Hello everyone, I’m currently working on creating patient-specific eye models in Zemax based on the Liou-Brennan eye as a starting point. I’m converting standard Zernike coefficients (Z4, Z5, Z6) into sphere, cylinder, and axis values using equations below with R as the pupil radius. Then, I will want to compare with objective refraction data obtained from a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor in my clinic (please let me know if there is a better method for doing this). At the moment, I have the retina set as the image plane. However, I suspect I need to compare the prescription at the corneal or even spectacle plane instead—specifically, at a vertex distance of 12.5 mm from the cornea. My question is: Have I possibly set up my eye model backwards? Or is there a standard method for accurately translating Zernike coefficients to a prescription at the corneal (rather than retinal) plane? Forgive my poor optics knowledge… Thank you in advance. Sphere, Cylinder, and Axis Conversion

170
dmcbee
A
Ultraviolet
AsukuUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
How do I model a angled single mode source array in sequential mode?

I would like to model a fiber source array with a X° facet angle in sequential model - I would like to control the number of rows and columns by defining a pitch size in both axis. An example or article that shows how this can be achieved will be helpful? PS: I see that this is possible w/ a non-sequential setup (How to create an array of sources – Knowledgebase) but is there a way to do this in sequential?

411
David.Nguyen
Luminary
Bozkov
BozkovMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
DIfference between NSRA operand 12 and 13: Phase of vs Phase at

What is the difference between the operands NSRA 12 and 13? The manual says one is Phase of and the other one is Phase at. Can you tell me whats the difference?

402
Bozkov
C
Chris.LadasInfrared
asked in Got a question?
Zemax Part Designer Locking "Expose Points"

I’m trying to create a curved surface within the zemax part designer. Whenever I expose a point on my 2D sketch the expose point parameter greys out on all the points in the sketch. I am unable to check or uncheck the box for any of the points. I would like to expose all 4 points in the 2D sketch. Any idea why I’m unable to expose all the points. *Here is an image of the sketch. The I cannot check the expose point. *Here shows a point that was exposed but I’m unable to uncheck the box.

130
C
superkraken
superkrakenSingle Emitter
asked in Got a question?
Operand to find the minimal/maximal value of other operands

Hello everyone, I was wondering if there was an existing operand in the Merit function editor that would give the minimal value of other operands in the merit function.To give an example, I am currently doing a Merit function which computes the encircled energies at different Field of views and at different wavelengths. I would like to optimize the minimal value of all these operands. I don’t really care what the other vaues are, I am just targetting on increasing the minimal value as much as possible. I checked in the operand list in the built-in Help from Zemax but didn’t find anything that seemed to work for my application. Thank you very much !

392
superkraken
Leon
LeonInfrared
asked in Got a question?
Can I convert a sequential mode black box to non-sequential mode?

I have a sequential mode design that contains a black box component. I converted the sequential mode design to non-sequential mode, but the black box is not converted. The non-sequential component editor box does not have the black box. What can I do to have the black box insert into the non-sequential component editor box?

322
Leon
jesusmunozjmj
jesusmunozjmj
asked in Got a question?
Tolerancing issue: "Nominal Criterion cannot be computed"

Hello everyone! I am trying to perform a study of tolerances in an optical system in which my criterion is the RMS Spot Size. If possible, I would like the GEO radius for one of the fields not to exceed a certain value (with reference: vertex). In any case, it is not possible for me to execute the tolerancing because of a problem that I show you here: “Nominal Criterion cannot be computed”. Do you have any suggestion? Thank you!

411
jesusmunozjmj
CJ27
CJ27Visible
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=360492 In 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 t

5799
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
OpticalResearch
OpticalResearchInfrared
asked in Got a question?
Concave mirror lens system design and reservation of field of View ?

Hello, Not quite sure this community is still active? I want to have a lens system which can form the image from infinity to a limited distance as show below. As you can see that the concave lens system will reduce the input field of view. How can I have a compact concave lens system which can form the image from infinity to a limited distance and keep the same field of view as the input. Can you have some suggestions or initial configuration for recommendation? Thank you ! BL

1172
OpticalResearch
Bozkov
BozkovMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
Number of Segments for NSRA operand in NSC mode

So I have a NSC system consisting in multiple mirrors and with 3 Detectors. I was using the ray trace tool with only 1 analysis ray and then optimizing with the Merit Function editor until some weird optimization started to happen. Then I read this sentence in the Help system: Note the segments NSRA is not listed in same order as in ZRD. For example, for a same ray, the segment with Seg# =17 in NSRA is not same to the 17th segment listed in ZRD. How can I know the number of the segment I want to optimize then for the NSRA operand? Regards

270
Bozkov
jsung
Ultraviolet
jsungUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
Scattering issue with Boolean object

I created a dome shell object by subtracting smaller sphere from bigger sphere and also removed the rear half with a big cylinder object. This is done with Boolean operation A-B-C (A: big sphere, B: smaller sphere, C: cylinder). Then I applied Gaussian surface scatter to both side surface (sig=0.25) to make some wide beam angle scatter like tis picture. But problem when the source is moved to Z=0 where the sphere half plane is, the scattering is gone. I guess this is caused by source being in the parent object region though parents are shifted away or disabled for ray trace. I tried moving source object below the Boolean object and entered boolean object number in “inside of” column, but that doesn’t make it work either. I had similar issue with Boolean before when I tried making TIR lens. It was found I should avoid putting the source at the boundary of original parent object or inside. But this scattering issue with Boolean seems like new to me. Any idea if this is a bug or there is

362
jsung
Ultraviolet
I
Indy.MagnusMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
Fiber tilt plotting/tolerancing in single-mode fiber coupling using Physical Optics Propagation

Dear all, I would like to investigate the single-mode fiber coupling efficiency using Physical Optics Propagation in function of the fiber tilt angle. I would like to use the Universal Plot to see its sensitivity, and afterwards see its effect during a complete tolerance analysis together with other tolerances (both in the RSS estimate as well as in a Monte-Carlo simulation). However, it seems that either using a coordinate break before the fiber surface, or using the ‘Tilt’ surface as the final surface (as was done in the angled-fiber article but without using POP) does not affect the POP fiber coupling calculation. The ‘tilt about X/Y (deg)’, inside the POP ‘fiber data’ can of course be used to set the tilt, but this value can (as far as I’m aware) not be used for plotting or tolerancing. Is there some other way to easily plot and tolerance this fiber tilt when using POP, without having to use a custom macro or ZOS-API code? Thanks for any input, Best regards, Indy

230
I
mocquin
mocquinVisible
asked in Got a question?
Grid of rays in Vignetting diagram

In the Vignetting diagram analysis, the doc states : “Ray Density The Ray Density specifies the number of rays to be traced. The more rays traced, the greater the accuracy, although the computation time increases. For a Ray Density of n, OpticStudio traces a grid of (2n+1) x (2n + 1) Rays at each Field Point. The Ray Density minimum value is 5.” It also mentions that “This feature is appropriate for rotationally symmetric lenses”. My qyestion then is how is the grid of rays generated with (2n+1)x(2x+1) rays on a circular pupil ? A square grid is generated, and the rays outside the inscribed circle are dropped before the ray tracing ? in other words, about (2n+1)*(2n+1)*pi/4 rays are actually used ?

170
mocquin
Mojmir
MojmirSingle Emitter
asked in Got a question?
Simulation partially coherent laser source

Hello everyone, I need to define a partially coherent source in Zemax, which I then want to homogenize using a light rod. The source parameters are: • Size: 32 × 14 mm • Divergence: 4 × 1 mrad • Coherence length: 0.1 mm I need to homogenize the beam using a rod to achieve a final beam size of 100 × 10 mm. Is there a way to properly define such a partially coherent source in Zemax? What approach would you recommend for modeling the homogenization process? Thanks in advance for any insights!

310
Mojmir
CJ27
CJ27Visible
asked in Got a question?
Inverted single aspheric system performance

Hello there friends from the zemax community, I was wondering if someone could give me some guidance with a situation I have. I have a finite conjugate system which images a single on-axis point to another on axis point. To perform this on-axis imaging, I have optimized a single aspherical surface. In object space I have a point with a half angle of 30 degrees and on the image side the cone of incident angles is equal to 6 degrees (half divergence). This is how my current system looks like: From this you can see that the on-axis performance is diffraction limited in this configuraiton. Now, I am interested in evaluating the performance of this system but on the reverse direction, i.e, I flip the entire system. Now I have a point source with a cone divergence of 6 degrees. This is how the system looks like: Oection the performance is far from ideal. In my opinion this is because in the forward case, even though the imaging performance is diffraction limited, the rays in image space do n

171
CJ27

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