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People & Pointers

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

  • 210 Topics
  • 873 Replies
210 Topics
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
yuan.chenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
About the rotation radius of Toroidal surface

 The definition of Toroidal surface is mentioned here:The Setup Tab > Editors Group (Setup Tab) > Lens Data Editor > Sequential Surfaces (lens data editor) > ToroidalToroidal surfaces are formed by defining a curve in the Y-Z plane, and then rotating this curve about an axis parallel to the Y axis and intersecting the Z axis. Toroids are defined using a base radius of curvature in the Y-Z plane, as well as a conic constant and polynomial aspheric coefficients.  Another way to verify, we can use the surface sag, the rotation R’s value is 0：This is a trick to test some unfamiliar surface, we can use Surface sag and surface sag cross to test. 

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yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
Michael ChengZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
FAQ of Optically Fabricated Hologram (OFH): how to parameters Holo type and Diffract order

Here is a quick note about two frequently asked questions.How to set up the parameter Holo type and Diffract order for the surface Optically Fabricated Hologram (OFH) How to set up a reflection hologram using OFHBefore read this post, make sure you have read the following KBA. That is the background knowledge to this post:How to model holograms in OpticStudio Difference between OFH and other hologram typeFor other hologram models, we only assume the construction systems are composed by two converging or diverging source. (A collimated source is considered as case the converge/diverge point is at far point.)  However, in real world, they are built with same laser with some lenses. And there the source is actually not a point but has some aberrations. Sometimes these aberrations are intentionally introduced to correct the aberrations that come in playback systems.   The parameter 'Holo type'For OFH, the rule for Holo type is a little different compared to other hologram models. Normally,

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ztystar
Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
Michael ChengZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
[Webinar] AR waveguide design and optimization based on dynamic linking between Zemax OpticStudio and Lumerical RCWA [Q&A]

This thread is dedicated to the upcoming webinar: AR waveguide design and optimization based on dynamic linking between Zemax OpticStudio and Lumerical RCWA. 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 through Friday, July 29th. [The webinar has concluded] Webinar detailsDate: Thursday, July 21stTime: 6:00 - 6:45 AM PT | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PTPresenters:Michael Cheng, Lead Application Engineer at Ansys Zemax Kyle Johnson, Application Engineer II at AnsysAbstract:The market of augmented reality (AR) device has been growing and continue to speed up the process in these years. Among many different types of design, the diffractive waveguide type becomes one of the most important main

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Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
Steven.Lacava
Steven.LacavaSingle Emitter
posted in People & Pointers
Tech Tip Tuesday Multi-Physics

Tech Tip Tuesday 7-12-22 Multi-Physics ApplicationWith the right combination of the Ansys software suite including, OpticStudio and STAR. It is possible to integrate optics with other physics, such as finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), particulate motion, thermal analysis, optimization tools, and more. Below is an example of a multi-physics workflow for a high power laser. Similar workflows are possible for many applications.  In addition to having in depth analysis of all the physics involved with tools such as Fluent, Mechanical and WorkBench, it is possible to export the FEA and CFD data in a way that OpticStudio can use to continue the optical design.After running the your studies including structural, thermal and CFD, bring it full circle to OpticStudio via the STAR module. To do this as effortlessly as possible, try our ACT file extension for Ansys Mechanical, it allows the data to be exported in a format STAR will recognize with minimal work from

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Steven.Lacava
mojtaba.falahati
Zemax Staff
mojtaba.falahatiZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
[Webinar] OpticStudio-OpticsBuilder-OpticStudio STAR Module Interoperability in Design of High-Power Laser Systems

This thread is dedicated to the webinar: OpticStudio-OpticsBuilder-OpticStudio STAR Module Interoperability in Design of High-Power Laser 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 through Friday, July 8th. [The webinar has concluded] Webinar detailsDate: Tuesday, June 28thPresenter: Mojtaba Falahati, Senior Application Engineer at Ansys ZemaxAbstract:Join Mojtaba Falahati, Senior Application Engineer, as he explores the optical-optomechanical design cycle for high-power laser systems using a typical example and describes how Zemax tools enable a joined-up workflow to turn optical designs into reality. High-power laser systems are extensively used for high-precision cut

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Allie
Zemax Staff
Hui Chen
Zemax Staff
Hui ChenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
Report energy throughput in OpticStudio

To evaluate system throughput, there are 4 tools you can consider in OpticStudio Sequential mode, Footprint diagram, Vignetting Diagram, Geometric Image Analysis (GIA), and Transmission analysis. The Footprint Diagram and Vignetting Diagram deal with vignetting only and does not consider the Fresnel reflection or bulk absorption losses. They show what fraction of the launched rays are being blocked off/vignetted due to surface apertures. The GIA can do the same thing, but it can also consider Fresnel reflection and bulk absorption losses if you check the Use Polarization button. And the Transmission analysis always includes Fresnel reflection loss and bulk absorption loss. For example, in this system below, at the edge of the field 30deg, the Footprint diagram, the Vignetting Diagram, and the GIA (bottom reports “Percent efficiency %”, Use Polarization not checked) all report very similar system throughput. If you check Use Polarization in GIA, then it’ll consider the Fresnel reflectio

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Csilla Timar-Fulep
Zemax Staff
Csilla Timar-FulepZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
How to model a birefringent polarization rotator?

In order to properly model the polarization rotation of an object made of birefringent material, we have to set up the ray trace mode of the object in the Non-Sequential Component Editor under Object Properties > Index > Birefringent type > Mode: The Mode control allows selection of which rays are actually traced. The distribution of energy does not change with this setting, and energy assigned to rays that are not traced are placed in the “lost energy (thresholds)” sum. Either ordinary or extraordinary rays, or both, may be traced. Waveplate Mode traces the energy along the path of the ordinary ray, however, the extraordinary electric field is also propagated with the ray, and the total electric field will be phase rotated by the differential index in the ordinary and extraordinary directions. Waveplate mode has to be used to model the polarization rotation of the object. In the attached example file, an extended source (Source Rectangle) launches rays parallel to th

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Marie.Fournier
S
Luminary
Sandrine AuriolLuminary
posted in People & Pointers
How to model a Faraday rotator/ isolator

Faraday rotators are polarization rotators. The state of polarization (such as the axis of linear polarization or the orientation of elliptical polarization) is rotated as the wave traverses the device (link). The tricky thing when modeling Faraday rotators is the apparent non-reciprocal optical propagation. The ray back through the rotator does not undo the rotation of the first pass, but instead adds to it. This can be modelled with Jones Matrices and the Consider Objects type rule, so that light going one way sees one JM, and light going the other sees the other. I have set up an example attached that shows how it can be done (seq and non seq).In non-sequential, the optical set-up is like this:  Source Ray --> Jones Matrix (Forward and Backward) --> Rectangle (MIRROR)The source only considers the Forward Jones Matrix when sending light. When light is reflected on the rectangle, the Rectangle only consider the backward Jones Matrix.  This can be checked in the Ray Database View

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S
Luminary
E
Zemax Staff
Erin.ElliottZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
Advantages of the new nonsequential Off-Axis Mirror object

We’ve introduced an Off-Axis Mirror object in nonsequential mode.  It has some advantages for users:The object has a coordinate system that is at the center of the off-axis part.  (See sketch below.) This makes tolerancing and moving the part easier, because there’s no need to define motions with respect to the parent vertex. It also means that the edges of the part’s substrate are perpendicular to the surface slope at the vertex.  This is more realistic for parts that are polished directly onto a blank (versus small parts that can be cut out of a parent part). It is simpler to define the off-axis apertures.  The part supports native elliptical and rectangular apertures (including circular and square). The object simplifies the nonsequential editor, since a Boolean is not required to define the aperture. Definition of the off-axis coordinate system for the Off-Axis Mirror in nonsequential mode​A shaded model view of the Off-Axis Mirror object 

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mojtaba.falahati
Zemax Staff
mojtaba.falahatiZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
[Webinar] OpticStudio-OpticsBuilder Interoperability in Design of Optical Spectrometer

This thread is dedicated to the upcoming webinar: OpticStudio-OpticsBuilder Interoperability in Design of Optical Spectrometer. 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 through Friday, June 17th. [The webinar has concluded] Webinar detailsDate: Thursday, June 9thTime: 6:00 - 7:00 AM PDT | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDTPresenter: Mojtaba Falahati, Senior Application Engineer at Ansys ZemaxAbstract:Join Mojtaba Falahati, Senior Application Engineer, as he explores the optical-optomechanical design cycle for lens-grating-lens spectrometers using commercially available optical elements and describes how Zemax tools enable a joint workflow to turn optical designs into reality.Optical spec

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Allie
Zemax Staff
Mike.Jones
En-Lightened
Mike.JonesEn-Lightened
posted in People & Pointers
Shop specifications for Mangin mirror?

Could anyone share a successful specification sheet example for a Mangin mirror to go out for quote?  I have the toleranced radii and center thickness, edged diameter and clear apertures all defined, calling out wedge across clear aperture to be less than 25µm, polish quality, AR coating on the refractive surface, etc. all complete.  What I don’t know is how best to specify the reflective surface.  I know the desired reflectivity, which will likely either require aluminum or silver, but I’m not familiar with how to specify the protective coat(s) that is/are applied on top of the reflective coating.  Is flat black epoxy paint OK, or can it oxidize the coating and cause delamination?  Does an intermediary non-oxidizing, adherent coating need to be applied over the reflective metal before painting flat black?  Thanks for any advice.  Mike

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Mike.Jones
En-Lightened
Steven.Lacava
Steven.LacavaSingle Emitter
posted in People & Pointers
Tech Tip Tuesday: Machine Vision 2-D & 3-D Imaging Using FEA & STAR

As humans become more reliant on technology, machine vision becomes an increasingly critical component. Many systems today rely on machine vision systems, including package tracking, security scanners, autonomous vehicles, and even some smart phone applications. As with many optical systems, these machine vision cameras can be subject to environmental conditions. To illustrate this, we look at a single example of an automotive HUD system that has an Inferred camera to enhance the machine or drivers’ perception of animals and pedestrians. The image glow demonstrates how the image captured by the camera can be affected by extreme thermal loads which could be placed on the system during a drive on a hot summer day. This could pose a problem, as the system may not correctly identify a hazard, potentially resulting in human injury.  To tackle this challenge, optical designers and engineers undertake a process known structural thermal optical performance (STOP) analysis. Consider how a tempe

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Steven.Lacava
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
yuan.chenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
Any difference between FCGS,FCGT and the field curvature& distortion analysis plot

Generally speaking the FCGS and FCGT values are more robust compared with the analysis window.It's mentioned in The Analyze Tab (sequential ui mode) > Image Quality Group > Aberrations (Image Quality Group) > Field Curvature and Distortion :Strictly speaking, the field curvature and distortion plots are only valid for rotationally symmetric systems with plane object and image surfaces. However, OpticStudio uses a generalization of the field curvature and distortion concepts to give reasonable results for some, but not all, non-rotationally symmetric systems. Caution should be used when interpreting these data for non-rotationally symmetric systems or systems with object and/or image surfaces that are not planes.FCGS and FCGT have more reasonable results for non-rotationally symmetric systems.If the system is rotationally symmetric, the Field curvature values reported by the FCGT and FCGS operands should match those values listed in the Field Curv/Distortion plot, for the same

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yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
yuan.chenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
Tips to switch between different operand combinations

For example, I want to set up two different set of criteria(for example spot and wavefront) to optimize. how can I switch between these two?Method 1: Create two set of merit function combinations, then load the merit functionMethod 2: Use GOTO or ENDX to swtich (change the value of GOTO) You can find more interesting operands here, please enjoy:The Optimize Tab (sequential ui mode) > Automatic Optimization Group > Merit Function Editor (automatic optimization group) > Optimization Operands by Category > Merit Function Control Operands Another example is BLNK, you can comment and this helps to locate the operands group easily. 

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yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
Michael ChengZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
Visualize the polarization direction for different references

In the Help file, we can find the following description.The Setup Tab > System Group (the Setup Tab) > System Explorer > Polarization (System Explorer) > Defining the Initial Polarization These can be visulzied as below. The pythone code to draw is this provded for reference.Enjoy!

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Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
Mark.NicholsonLuminary
posted in People & Pointers
OS 22.2 Seems a bit light

Hey Zemax team,You know I love you guys dearly, but the 22.2 OpticStudio release seems awfully light. Two features only, one of which was in the 22.1 release?Looking forward to a bumper 22.3 release!Mark

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Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
Flurin Herren
Fully Spectral
Flurin HerrenFully Spectral
posted in People & Pointers
[Webinar] Using and Modifying CREO Parts with OpticsBuilder

This thread is dedicated to the upcoming webinar: Using and Modifying CREO Parts with 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 through Friday, June 3rd. [The webinar has concluded.] Webinar detailsDate: Thursday, May 26thTime: 6:00 - 7:00 AM PDT | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDTPresenter: Flurin Herren, Application Engineer II at Ansys ZemaxAbstract: In an optomechanical workflow it is quite common that a system needs to be edited during the design process due to added information or changing circumstances. At certain stages of a workflow only specific things can be edited. This requires a tool that can edit more than one specific group of properties at a time. OpticsBu

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mojtaba.falahati
Zemax Staff
Alissa Wilczynski
Zemax Staff
Alissa WilczynskiZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
[Webinar] Zemax and Lumerical: Part 2 - From Nano-scale to Macro-scale Optics and Back [Q&A]

This thread will be used to collect questions before the webinar, and to answer any questions we received during the webinar. Feel free to post your questions! Be sure to subscribe to this thread if you want to see additional discussion regarding this topic. The thread will be open to comments through Friday, May 27th. [The event has concluded] Date: Thursday, May 19thTime: 6:00am PST & 11:00am PSTPresenters:Shin-Sung Kim, Manager Application Engineering Csilla Timar-Fulep, Senior Application EngineerAbstract: In this webinar, we will examine how the portfolio of Ansys Optics tools offers a complete workflow for the design of metasurfaces, or metalenses. These revolutionary ultra-thin optical components can be used to manipulate light in the visible and IR range for many applications, including smartphone cameras, AR/MR displays, 3D sensing and face recognition. Because of the sub-wavelength nature of metasurfaces, it is critical to use a combination of electromagnetic field solver

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skim
Lisa C
Lisa CMonochrome
published in People & Pointers
[Webinar] OpticsBuilder for Creo Product Tour - Q&A

This thread is dedicated to today’s webinar: OpticsBuilder for Creo Product Tour. 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 until Thursday, May 17. Webinar detailsDate: Thursday, May 12thTime: 6:00am & 11:00am PDTPresenter: Lisa Clauson, Senior Product Manager at Ansys ZemaxAbstract: Join Lisa Clauson, Ansys Zemax Senior Product Manager, as she demonstrates how to simulate the impact of mechanical designs on optical performance with Ansys Zemax OpticsBuilder, a certified PTC technology partner. OpticsBuilder enables better communication and eliminates inefficiencies in the optical design process between optical engineers and CAD users. OpticsBuilder addresses all issues ass

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Allie
Zemax Staff
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
yuan.chenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
A collection of information about "Objects as Detectors"

This post shows some related information about Objects as Detectors.

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yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
Mark.NicholsonLuminary
posted in People & Pointers
Windows 11

Just in case anyone is wondering, I updated my Windows 10 machine to Windows 11 and everything worked exactly as it should. The previously installed version of OS ran normally and the installation of the latest version also worked fine. Good old Microsoft!There is no difference in performance in any app as far as I can see. The major difference in 11 seems to be a light refresh of the GUI. Rounded corners on app windows and the task bar is centered rather than left justified by default. Major steps forward. But good news, no hair was pulled out over this upgrade!Mark 

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Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
Flurin Herren
Fully Spectral
Flurin HerrenFully Spectral
posted in People & Pointers
[Webinar] Laser Applications with Ansys Zemax [Q&A]

This thread is dedicated to the upcoming webinar: Laser Applications with Ansys Zemax. 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 until Friday, May 6th. Webinar detailsRegister here: [The webinar has concluded]Date: Thursday, April 28thTime: 6:00 - 6:30 AM PDT | 11:00 - 11:30 AM PDTPresenter: Flurin Herren, Application Engineer II at Ansys ZemaxAbstract: Laser beam propagation requires unique considerations when setting up models in optical design software. OpticStudio has a wide range of tools and capabilities for modeling laser applications. This webinar demonstrates various laser applications and components that can be simulated using OpticStudio.

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Allie
Zemax Staff
Steven.Lacava
Steven.LacavaSingle Emitter
posted in People & Pointers
Tech Tip Tuesday: Photolithography & STAR 5-10-22

       Tech Tip Tuesday 5-10-22 Photolithography; a workflow with STAR & Fluent Photolithography can be used to pattern wafers for semiconductor applications today, but it’s history goes back a lot further than that. Around the time that Joseph Niepce a French inventor created the halftone process for photography, two French printers Alfred Lemercier and Alphonse Poitevin began putting it to use experimenting with photolithography. The technique originally involved a stone plate with water and light, which is where the name comes from, it is Greek, photo = litho, and graphy = stone. The technique of photolithography would be used for engraving from the 1800’s through the 1900’s. By the 1950’s Jay Lathrop and James Nall who were working for the military at a group that would later become part of the ARL (Army Research Laboratory) would use the technique to miniaturize electronic circuits, giving us the first application of how we use it with semiconductors today.The process used for

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Steven.Lacava
Alissa Wilczynski
Zemax Staff
Alissa WilczynskiZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
[Webinar] Zemax and Lumerical: Part 1 - From Nano-scale to Macro-scale Optics and Back

This thread will be used to collect questions before the webinar, and to answer any questions we received during the webinar. Feel free to post your questions! Be sure to subscribe to this thread if you want to see additional discussion regarding this topic. The thread will be open to comments until Thursday, May12th.  Webinar details:[The webinar has concluded]Date: Thursday, May 5thTime: 6:00am PST & 11:00am PSTPresenters:Hui Chen, Senior Application Engineer Taylor Robertson, Senior Application EngineerAbstract: Complex optical systems require coupling simulation techniques across multiple length scales for accurate design and tolerancing. Extracting the light from nanoscale emissive structures in illumination systems, or propagating light through a mixture of guided and free space components are just a few examples.Ray tracing approximations break down near the dimension of the wavelength, and electromagnetic approaches are too expensive for larger devices. Traditional methods

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Hui Chen
Zemax Staff
Lisa C
Lisa CMonochrome
posted in People & Pointers
[Webinar] The Hidden Cost of CAD Time [Q&A]

This thread is dedicated to today’s webinar: The Hidden Cost of CAD Time. 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 until Friday, April 29th. Webinar detailsDate: Thursday, April 21stTime: 6:00am & 11:00am PDTPresenter: Lisa Clauson, Senior Product Manager at Ansys ZemaxAbstract: Join Lisa Clauson, Ansys Zemax Senior Product Manager, as she explores the hidden costs of traditional workflows that bring optical designs to a finished product. Most optical design teams have learned to accept their current workflow inefficiencies as the cost of doing business. Few realize the true costs of maintaining status quo when new technology is available to automate tedious tasks, improve

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Lisa C

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