People & Pointers

Use this space to show off your skills, introduce yourself, or to chat about the latest in the world of optics.

  • 181 Topics
  • 777 Replies

181 Topics

Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
Michael ChengZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

Zemax - Lumerical RCWA dynamic linking updates & known bugs

Japanese version: Zemax OpticStudio - Lumerical RCWA 動的連携 DLL の アップデートと既知のバグ情報 | Zemax Community1. Overview This post provides the following two contents:Maintaining a list of improvements & bugfixes history. Users can easily check when and what problems are solved and what improvements were made. Gathering feedbacks or a place for users to discuss.:)For details of how to use this feature, see the following knowledge base article:Dynamic workflow between Lumerical RCWA and Zemax OpticStudioFor downloading the plugin for legacy versions, see the following community post: 2. Useful ResourcesDynamic workflow between Lumerical RCWA and Zemax OpticStudio Exit Pupil Expander with 1D-2D Gratings RCWA Solver - Simulation Object RCWA Solver Introduction 3. Beta version downloadDLL: Dynamic Link RCWA | Zemax Community 4. Bugfixes and improvementsLumerical window keeps reopening: residual issueThis is some residual issue from the previous bug. If there are multiple gratings, loading same fsp

0
Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
10 months ago
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
yuan.chenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

A way to link decenter X and Y when tolerancing

We can use TUDX with some setups before the tolerance run.You can find more information about TUDX in:How to tolerance for tilts and decenters of a double pass system – Knowledgebase (zemax.com)The Tolerance Tab > Tolerancing Group > Tolerance Data Editor > Tolerance Operands > TUDX, TUDY, TUTX, TUTY, TUTZ: Tolerance on User Defined Tilts & DecentersCreate coordinate break using the tilt/decenter element (here I apply for surface 1 and 2)Setup pickup for decenter Y, the scale factor can be changed based on the model Set TUDX for the specific coordinate break of the element you want to set.The SAVE is used to generate a file with the tolerance operand I set. The lens files will be saved in the same folder as the current lens. You don’t need it when you set your tolerance operands.This is what I get in the file generated by SAVE operand. You can see the parameters are dependent.  

2
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
10 months ago
Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
Michael ChengZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

FAQ of volume hologram model in OpticStudio

Update 2021-09-24This forum thread is answer some frequently asked questions about the volume hologram model in OpticStudio.In OpticStudio 21.1, we have implemented volume hologram model for these sequential surfaces: Hologram 1, Hologram 2, Toroidal Hologram, Optically Fabricated Hologram. This allows users to analyze the diffraction efficiency with give material information. More infomraiton can be found in Help file in OpticStudio 21.1 and this knowledge base article: Simulating diffraction efficiency of a volume holographic grating using Kogelnik’s method  1. Can I make the hologram with any kind of user defined shape?When we say surface shape, it could be the substrate or the aperture. Here we will talk about both.The shape of substrate only supports Standard (conic sphere), Toroidal (cylinder), Extended Polynomial (freeform) for now, but we can investigate if users request more.If more shape of substrate are needed, except sending a feature request to Zemax product team, the fast

4
Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
10 months ago
E
Zemax Staff
Erin.ElliottZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

New off-axis tools for reflective system design

We have recently added some capabilities that should help designers of reflective systems. In case you missed them, they are: an off-axis coordinate system for surface analyses, a sequential Off-Axis Conic Freeform, a nonsequential Off-Axis Mirror, and a tool to add an off-axis pivot point.Off-Axis Coordinates flagThe Surface Sag, Curvature, and Slope plots now have an “Off-Axis Coordinates” flag in the Settings.  For Standard surfaces with off-axis apertures, this will convert the analyses to a coordinate system centered at the off-axis aperture and perpendicular to the surface normal at the vertex of the off-axis part.  Off-Axis Conic FreeformThere’s a new Off-Axis Conic Freeform surface with a coordinate system at the vertex of the part.  Since the freeform terms are optional, this part is also useful for mirrors that are off-axis conics.  The sides of the part are parallel to the surface normal to correctly capture parts that are fabricated directly onto a blank (rather than parts

3
o.sonmez
10 months ago
Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
Michael ChengZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

Resonant waveguide grating

This is a short post just for sharing an example of setting up for resonant waveguide grating with Zemax RCWA.We will use the data in this paper: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/lpor.201800017In attached file, a grating is set up, following the paper, as shown below. The grating parameters are as below.Period = 0.4 µmDuty cycle = 0.5index of substrate = 1.6index of superstrate = 1.0index of the grating  = 1.7thickness of lower part = 0.3 µmthickness of upper part (binary grating) = 0.05 µmWe then intput a ray with TE polarization and 15 degrees incident angle with wavelength scanning between 0.546 µm ~ 0.552 µm.By observing the 0 order reflection ray, the result is as below. This matches to the Figure 8 in the paper.People can change the thickness of upper part of the grating to 0.025 µm and 0.1 µm to also check the result in the Figure 8 in the paper.Have fun!

1
Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
10 months ago
S
Luminary
Sandrine AuriolLuminary
posted in People & Pointers

Example of a Thermal Index Data file (*.TID)

I have attached an example of a TID file. This file contains the index of refraction at multiple temperatures and wavelengths. The first line contains the word PRESSURE followed by the ambient air pressure in atmospheres.Then the data consists of 3 columns: temperature, wavelength, and index.The temperature of the first data point defines the reference temperature for the glass.It can then be fitted with the Glass Fitting tool.Once you run the tool, you will get a report and this can be automatically added to a catalog.

0
S
Luminary
10 months ago
Allie
Zemax Staff
AllieZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

[Webinar] Optotune Liquid Lenses Added to Zemax Stock Components [Q&A]

This thread is dedicated to the webinar: Optotune Liquid Lenses Added to Zemax Stock Components. Any questions received during the webinar will be responded to as a reply on this thread. [The event has concluded] Webinar detailsPresenters: Mark Ventura, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Optotune Mark is electrical engineer and has co-founded Optotune in 2008. As VP Sales & Marketing he has developed the market for liquid lenses with a focus on machine vision. Michael Büeler (@Michael.Bueeler), Head of Optics Engineering & VP Quality at Optotune Michael holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and Optics and is responsible for optical design at Optotune. Employing Optotune’s liquid lenses has designed several focusing, zoom and illumination systems for mobile phone cameras, factory automation and med-tech applications. Abstract:In the past 10 years, liquid lenses have evolved to become a well-established solution for fast and reliable focusing. In this webinar we will discus

8
Allie
Zemax Staff
11 months ago
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
Jeff.WildeLuminary
posted in People & Pointers

Modeling DOE Pattern/Image Generation using POP

This is a brief description of my recent experience using POP to model diffractive optical elements that may be of some interest to other users.It is well-known that Diffractive Optical Element (DOE) technology can be used to generate custom intensity patterns or images based on coherent optics.  For example, illumination of properly constructed phase elements (i.e., DOEs) by a coherent laser beam can produce interesting intensity patterns in the far field.  Anyone who has walked the exhibit hall at Photonics West has surely seen examples of this.  Various techniques can be employed to design a DOE, with the Iterative Fourier Transform Algorithm being one popular scheme (see, e.g., F. Wyrowski and O. Bryngdahl, “Iterative Fourier-Transform algorithm applied to computer holography,” JOSA-A 1988).Here is a brief description taken from the Holoeye website: Modeling DOEs in OpticStudio is possible by using Physical Optics Propagation (POP).  One can envision two possible approaches: (1) mo

0
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
11 months ago
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
yuan.chenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

Do you find weird behavior for MNCA, MNEA, MNEG, MNEG, MXRE, MNRI

Have you noticed that the value changes as you change the target value of the operand?

1
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
11 months ago
Christophe.Weisse
Zemax Staff
Christophe.WeisseZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

Optimizing a model glass index in Non Sequenial Mode

There is no direct option to flag the index of a model glass as variable in the non-sequential mode.Yet, if you need to use this index during optimization, there is an alternative.You can define the material as gradient index material (GRIN) in the “Index” tab of the object properties:And then use the Multi-Configuration Editor to make this parameter a variable.The index of a GRIN material is then available with the NPRO operand, parameter #201 : And you can then add it as variable.Quick notes:This technique of using the Multi Configuration Editor to add parameters that are not otherwise available can be applied for many other use-cases. The description of all Multi-Configuration operands, and their parameters, is available in the Help files of OpticStudio

2
Christophe.Weisse
Zemax Staff
11 months ago
mojtaba.falahati
mojtaba.falahatiVisible
posted in People & Pointers

[Webinar] Equation Driven Surfaces for Optical Parts Creation in OpticsBuilder [Q&A]

This thread is dedicated to the upcoming webinar: Equation Driven Surfaces for Optical Parts Creation in OpticsBuilder. Any questions received during the webinar will be responded to as a reply on this thread. Feel free to post your own questions! The speaker will be notified and will respond as long as the thread is still open.Be sure to subscribe to this thread if you want to see additional discussion regarding this webinar topic. The thread will be open to new replies for a limited time following the event. [The event has concluded] Webinar detailsDate: Thursday, November 24thTime: 6:00 - 6:45 AM PDT | 11:00 - 11:45 AM PDTPresenter: Mojtaba Falahati, Senior Application EngineerAbstract:The ability to save the parts into PDM systems now includes the option to recall the equations used to generate the surfaces. Legacy import of geometry into OpticsBuilder uses splines/NURBS sampling based on the equations provided by OpticStudio which offers speed and accuracy high enough for most app

3
Allie
Zemax Staff
1 year ago
Alessandra Croce
Zemax Staff
Alessandra CroceZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

The new Composite Surface is out!

With the new Composite surface it’s now possible to tolerance the irregularity of almost all surfaces in OpticStudio! TIRR, TEZI and TEXI tolerancing operands have been expanded to allow for irregularity simulations of surfaces other than the previously supported Standard, Even Aspheric, Toroidal and Zernike Fringe Sag. Simply use the desired tolerancing operand on any surface that can be used as Composite, and run a Tolerancing analysis as usual. OpticStudio will automatically add the appropriate Composite Add-on to the surface being tolerance and assess the effect of the perturbation against the chosen tolerancing criterion. For more information, check Introduction to Composite Surface.  

2
Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
1 year ago
Thomas Magnac
Zemax Staff
Thomas MagnacZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

OpticsTalk: The Strengths & Applications of Various Freeform Surface Representations

Here's the discussion space for the OpticsTalk: The Strengths & Applications of Various Freeform Surface Representations hosted by Zemax Computational Physicist, Radu Miron. Let's join Radu to learn more and discuss about Freeform surfaces in Zemax Products Stay tuned on this forum thread for updates and discussion after the talk and check out our other OpticsTalks!

5
Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
1 year ago
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
yuan.chenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

HUD related materials

We have an KBA which describes some related tools and sample file made by my experienced colleague Sandrine.https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500005577782-Which-tools-to-use-when-working-on-a-Head-up-Display-One important tool is the NSC Sag Map, you can find more information here:NSC Sag Map User Analysis – Knowledgebase (zemax.com)Besides, Steven has highlighted some tips:​  https://community.zemax.com/people-pointers-9/tech-tip-tuesday-working-with-freeform-hud-elements-1838https://community.zemax.com/people-pointers-9/tech-tip-tuesday-setting-up-hud-systems-1815https://community.zemax.com/people-pointers-9/tech-tip-tuesday-hud-with-fea-and-the-opticstudio-star-module-1785https://community.zemax.com/people-pointers-9/top-tip-tuesday-hud-1761About stray light analysis, you can refer to：Stray light analysis for Head-up-Display - Part 1 – Knowledgebase (zemax.com)https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/4412788138387https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/441279397953

4
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
1 year ago
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
yuan.chenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

Summary of available materials about AR/VR simulation

Technical details about how to simulation AR/VR systems with Ansys products (Mainly Zemax,Speos and Lumerical)22/11/16: Add Fresnel, human vision and some learning paths.Many thanks to Mathieu Reigneau!22/12/06: add explanation of dll parameters: stochastic mode, max/min order KBA learning path (including all AR examples) ：HUD & AR – Knowledgebase (zemax.com)AR surface relief waveguide：Simulate 2D diffraction grating using customized diffractive DLL | Zemax Community关于如何使用Zemax的RCWA工具进行EPE的仿真 | Zemax CommunityLumerical RCWA和Zemax OpticStudio的动态链接 | Zemax Community[RCWA Stochastic mode] Discussion of Start Order・Stop Order / Max Order / Only These Orders | Zemax CommunityUpdates about this dllOpticStudio grating tools beta function update history | Zemax CommunityVHG：Overview of Kogelnik's Efficiency Calculations in OpticStudioModeling a Holographic Waveguide in OpticStudio for AR SystemsFAQ of volume hologram model in OpticStudio | Zemax CommunityUpdates about this dllBuilding Exit

5
Thomas Magnac
Zemax Staff
1 year ago
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
yuan.chenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

Human vision Simulation

I would like to list something I find about how to simulate human eye and human vision.

1
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
1 year ago
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
yuan.chenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

How to add another material to Gradient 9

Information from help file:The Setup Tab > Editors Group (Setup Tab) > Lens Data Editor > Sequential Surfaces (lens data editor) > Gradient 9

1
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
1 year ago
Angel Morales
Zemax Staff
Angel MoralesZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

[Webinar] Modeling a Lidar System in OpticStudio: Characterizing Range for Lidar Systems [Q&A]

This thread is dedicated to the upcoming webinar: Modeling a Lidar System in OpticStudio: Characterizing Range for Lidar Systems. Any questions received during the webinar will be responded to as a reply on this thread. Feel free to post your own questions! The speaker will be notified and will respond as long as the thread is still open.Be sure to subscribe to this thread if you want to see additional discussion regarding this webinar topic. The thread will be open to new replies for a limited time following the event. [The webinar has concluded] Webinar detailsDate: Thursday, October 27thTime: 6:00 - 6:45 AM PDT | 11:00 - 11:45 AM PDTPresenter: Angel Morales, Senior Application EngineerAbstract:Modeling a Lidar in OpticStudio: Characterizing Range for Lidar Systems. For lidar systems, a key specification is the range at which the lidar can detect a positive return signal. This characteristic is determined by several factors, such as the energy contained in the light pulse sent by the

7
Angel Morales
Zemax Staff
1 year ago
Xu Chen
Xu ChenMonochrome
posted in People & Pointers

ROC (radius of curvature) can be divided in half on the parabolic mirror between the add-on and base composite surfaces, but not Spherical surface

Hi Zemax community, a question regarding why ROC (radius of curvature) can be divided in half on the parabolic mirror between the add-on and base composite surfaces while keeping the perfect focus, but not the same case for the spherical surface type, is often asked. Here we will give an on-axis mirror example to demonstrate the math correlation behind this concept.  First, let’s start with an on-axis spherical mirror (Example file: 1_SphericalMirror.ZAR): In this example, the incident rays originating from the center of sphere curvature are reflected by the spherical mirror surface, back along the original way. The radius of curvature and back focal length is -100mm. No optical aberration is introduced in this example, the spot diameter will be perfect.  Fig 1. Spherical mirror layout  Now let’s make a comparative file with an add-on composite surface at the front of the base spherical surface (Example file: 2_SphericalMirror_WithAddOnComposite.ZAR). To main the same EFL as the first

0
Xu Chen
1 year ago
D
Zemax Staff
David.VegaZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

Introducing the NSQ Single Ray Trace Tool

One of our goals in Ansys is to model reality so our customers get the most accurate modeling analysis that agrees with their measurements in the real world. As part of this goal, we are enhancing the Non-Sequential mode in OpticStudio. In the 22.3 release, the team brought to life the NSC single ray trace analysis; let me tell you, it is powerful and cool!With the NSC single ray trace tool, you can add a source ray anywhere in the system space to evaluate light propagating. This tool will not modify or add an NSC object in the editor, allowing you to keep your editor system clean. Also, it provides all the ray data just as the ray database does. No more filtering ray databases to find the ray you want to evaluate! If that is not enough, the tool is also available in the ZOS-API and allows the extraction of any computed parameters. See attached example code for a basic introduction to this tool.Also, look at the NSC single ray trace layout tab at the bottom of the analysis window. Here

4
D
Zemax Staff
1 year ago
D
Zemax Staff
David.VegaZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

Updated Export to Speos Lens System in 22.3

Have you wondered how your optical system designed in OpticStudio will behave in the real 3D world? Ansys Speos can take your OpticStudio model and fully simulate your system in a 3D environment, including some environmental challenges such as rain and fog. But we all know that modeling an entire optical system in a complete 3D digital environment can be computationally costly. To reduce modeling expenditure for preliminary studies, we are introducing the Export to Speos Lens System (SLS) in OpticStudio 22.3.The SLS is a reduced-order model of your optical system based on a camera obscura model where the exported optical system acts as an optical transfer function. Therefore, the SLS does not carry all the information for complete modeling of the imaging capabilities. Still, it can provide valuable insights early in the design process, such as perceived image quality and irradiance models. The SLS can deliver these results within less than five minutes saving time during preliminary an

0
D
Zemax Staff
1 year ago
Michael.Young
Michael.YoungInfrared
posted in People & Pointers

Global design of an off-the-shelf objective lens with no a priori design and macro-enabled optimization

My article on global lens design and using commercial off-the-shelf lenses was recently published. This was my “swan song” before taking my current position. Here is a link to the article. There are resources included for the ZPL code. Hope you enjoy.https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.61.10.105104AbstractSynthesis of original optical designs is a challenging endeavor for novice lens designers. It is made more difficult when attempting to design a compound lens from off-the-shelf lenses. All but the simplest compound lenses resist ready analysis or understanding from a first-principles approach of geometric optics; however, many optical design packages include powerful optimization algorithms for both local and global searches. Despite the power of these tools, the initial construction of a starting lens and merit function remains crucial to the effective utilization of the optimizer. A workflow is presented for a generic starting design, construction of the merit function, and the optimizati

0
Michael.Young
1 year ago
mojtaba.falahati
mojtaba.falahatiVisible
posted in People & Pointers

[Webinar] Modeling a Flash Lidar System Using Optical-Optomechanical Zemax Workflow [Q&A]

This thread is dedicated to the upcoming webinar: Modeling a Flash Lidar System Using Optical-Optomechanical Zemax Workflow. Any questions received during the webinar will be responded to as a reply on this thread. Feel free to post your own questions! The speaker will be notified and will respond as long as the thread is still open.Be sure to subscribe to this thread if you want to see additional discussion regarding this webinar topic. The thread will be open to new replies for a limited time following the event. [The event has concluded] Webinar detailsDate: Thursday, October 13thTime: 6:00 - 6:45 AM PDT | 11:00 - 11:45 AM PDTPresenter: Mojtaba Falahati, Senior Application EngineerAbstract:In the consumer electronics space, engineers leverage lidar for several functions, such as facial recognition and 3D mapping. Obtaining three-dimensional spatial data for use in a small-form package has caused this solid-state solution to become more commonplace in consumer electronics products, s

1
Allie
Zemax Staff
1 year ago
Steven.Lacava
Zemax Staff
Steven.LacavaZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

Tech Tip Tuesday Cell Phone Design 10-18-2022

Tech Tip Tuesday Cell Phone Design 10-18-2022 There was a time when a phone was used to make calls, now it keeps track of our appointments, allows us to shop from virtually anywhere, read emails, and watch pointless cat videos. The one feature most people rave about when it comes to phones though is oddly not the phone part at all, it is the camera most people are concerned about. Given the amount of real estate cell phone makers dedicate to their cameras, and the amount of resources that go into developing them, the major brands are also concerned about cameras. This brings optics to the forefront and a cell phone has a lot of unique design challenges. We have high expectations of our phones, after all we carry them everywhere. They need to perform in all weather conditions, every type of lighting and not be damaged from shock, vibration or general carelessness. A tall order for any product, but to do all that and stay within the tolerances needed for an optical system, it is a very t

0
Steven.Lacava
Zemax Staff
1 year ago
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
yuan.chenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

How to apply the same coating properties to many obejcts

I had headache in applying the same coating on multiple lenses. My first thought is to use a ZPL, before I start, I decided to consult the non-sequential specialists in our team. @Kensuke.Hiraka  and @Michael Cheng taught me this trick. They helped me save 10 minutes. So, I would like to share with you this to save you some time with the time I saved to create this post😆.If the object has the same number of faces, you can set the same coating by opening the property with multiple lines selected.If the lines are far apart, you can select multiple lines by pressing Ctrl and selecting.  

1
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
1 year ago

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