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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.

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168 Topics

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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?

3 months ago

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!

2 months ago

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.

5 months ago

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

4 months ago

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.

4 months ago

Nicholas HerringerZemax Staff

posted in People & Pointers

Envision 2020 Workshop: Diffractive Components Modeling (Ask an Expert)

This forum thread should be used to continue the discussion from the Envision 2020 workshop, Diffractive Components Modeling (Ask an Expert). Presenter: Michael Cheng Abstract: From modern AR headsets to Time-of-Flight range sensors to Intraocular lens, diffractive optical elements (DOEs) are becoming increasingly common in optical systems. In this ask-the-expert session, we’ll discuss various methods for implementing and analyzing DOEs in OpticStudio, including how to consider diffraction efficiency. You can also find the Envision 2020 LinkedIn group here.

2 years ago

Heng.LiZemax Staff

posted in People & Pointers

Zemax OpticsTalk X Optimax - talk to Jennifer Michels about manufacturibility and metrology

The OpticsTalk will be held on 8am Pacific Time, Dec.1. If you'd like to join, please contact heng.li@zemax.com   Here's a list of useful resources:   Jessica Nelson’s SPIE Course: “Optical materials, fabrication, and testing for the optical engineer” https://spie.org/education/courses/coursedetail/SC1086?f=Online   Zemax.com “On demand webinars” https://www.zemax.com/resources/webinars Pushing the design envelope of Freeforms: Find out what’s possible today from a manufacturer (Jessica Nelson) Aspheres: designed to be made - advice from a manufacturer (Brandon Light) Technologies and Techniques for Optical Fabrication (Jessica Nelson) 12 tips to reduce costs and speed turnaround of your optics (Jennifer Michels)   Optimax Webpages: Manufacturing Tolerances Chart: www.optimaxsi.com/optical-manufacturing-tolerance-chart Manufacturing Limits for spheres, cylinders, aspheres, etc. www.optimaxsi.com/capabilities Manufac

2 years ago

JuliaZemax Staff

posted in People & Pointers

ZOS-API- How to use tools like Set Variable, Optimization, Tolerancing, Calculate RMSspot etc.?

TheSystem.Tools. SetAllRadiiVariable(); TheSystem.Tools. SetAllThicknessesVariable (); Set all radii variables Set all thicknesses variables LocalOpt = TheSystem.Tools.OpenLocalOptimization(); LocalOpt.Algorithm = ZOSAPI.Tools.Optimization.OptimizationAlgorithm.DampedLeastSquares; LocalOpt.Cycles = ZOSAPI.Tools.Optimization.OptimizationCycles.Automatic; LocalOpt.NumberOfCores = 8; LocalOpt.RunAndWaitForCompletion(); LocalOpt.Close(); Run local optimization with DLS GlobalOptimTimeInSeconds = 15; GlobalOpt = TheSystem.Tools.OpenGlobalOptimization(); GlobalOpt.Algorithm = ZOSAPI.Tools.Optimization.OptimizationAlgorithm.DampedLeastSquares; GlobalOpt.NumberToSave = ZOSAPI.Tools.Optimization.OptimizationSaveCount.Save_10; GlobalOpt.RunAndWaitWithTimeout(GlobalOptimTimeInSeconds); GlobalOpt.Cancel(); GlobalOpt.WaitForCompletion(); GlobalOpt.Close(); Run global search and cancel it after 15 seconds HammerOpt = TheSystem.Tools.OpenHammerOptimization(); HammerOpt.RunAndWaitWithTimeo

3 years ago

Berta.BernadZemax Staff

posted in People & Pointers

Heng.LiZemax Staff

posted in People & Pointers

OpticsTalk: Using the Surface Analysis plots effectively

In the design and analysis of freeform surfaces, local surface data including sag, slope curvature, etc. are extremely important. The newly introduced Surface Data plots in OpticStudio can help you obtain this information easily.

2 years ago

Mark.NicholsonLuminary

posted in People & Pointers

Mark's New YouTube Channel

Having retired almost a year ago from Zemax, I've been thinking about what, if anything, I can contribute to the teaching of lens design. So, I have set up Design Optics Fast, a YouTube channel dedicated to teaching 21st century optical design methods. There will be lots of short, easily understood lessons on how to design real-world optics, real fast. Please come and join me! There is an introductory video here: https://youtu.be/XPjK4bBhD30 and the first section, on the Basic Shapes of Imaging systems is here: https://youtu.be/RhIRUtR0l6I I'll be adding the next section, on optimizing the Basic Shapes soon. Please like and subscribe to the channel on YouTube if you find these useful. - Mark

2 years ago

Michael ChengZemax Staff

posted in People & Pointers

How is M2 (M squared) calculated in Physical Optics Propagation (POPD)?

Many users might have questions how exactly M2 is calculated and let’s discover this in this post! We will first explain its equation and then show how you can reproduce it in OpticStudio.   The only way to get M2 is by using POPD operand in merit function. To calculated M2, the Data parameter must be either 25 (X direction) or 26 (Y direction). To use POPD operand, first define the settings on the POP analysis feature as desired, then press Save on the settings box. More information about POPD can be found in Help file > The Optimize Tab (sequential ui mode) > Automatic Optimization Group > Merit Function Editor (automatic optimization group) > Optimization Operands by Category > Physical Optics Propagation (POP) Results   Now let’s start to see how it’s calculated. As can be found in Help file, we use the following equation to calculate: where Wx(0) is the minimum beam size of the real beam and W(z) is the beam size at a large z position. For the Wx(0), w

2 years ago

Michael ChengZemax Staff

posted in People & Pointers

Troubleshoot set up issues in systems with MIRROR and virtual propagation

Are you setting up a system with MIRRORs (probably off-axially oriented) in sequential mode and having some troubles? Maybe the follwoing tips can help you to find problems. First, when setting up this kind of system, always keep the this piont in your mind: In normal (non-MIRROR) space, rays always need to hit a surface by its -z side when it's in real propagation and by its +z side when it's in virtual propagation. This rule is reversed in MIRROR space. (-z becomes +z and +z becomes -z). Then, when there is any doubt to the system's behavior, the first step is always to show all surfaces' local axes in the Layout. Local axes can be turned on/off in Surface Property as below.   Below are two simple cases studies. They are simple, but the principle works for all more complicated files. Case study 1: For example, in below, we have set up a system with System Aperture (ENP) = 10 and the LDE is as below. In Layout, it's ea

2 years ago

Michael ChengZemax Staff

posted in People & Pointers

About importing and simulating a phase profile of a DOE lens

Sometimes we might have some phase profile from a DOE lens or metalens and want to simulate it in OpticStudio. In this case, we can simply use the sequential surface 'Grid Phase' to import and simulate the data. However, care should actually be taken in this case. In short, if the phase profile comes from FDTD, BPM, or similar calculation, the data should only be used with POP but not ray-tracing. Otherwise the calculated result can be incorrect. Note here we are mainly focusing on importing a phase profile for DOE lens or metalens.   To understand more details, we can first look at the following two slides to understand how the diffraction ray-tracing is calculated. The first slide shows how a ray is diffracted by a grating. It's important to know ray-tracing through a DOE or grating is calculated based on the 'frequency' or 'period', but not anything about the real structure. In the second slide, it further explains that the phase profile under this meth

1 year ago

KalebUltraviolet

posted in People & Pointers

CAD Export

QUESTION: When I am running the CAD export, I am getting one surface that is failing to export. What is going on? ANSWER: First it is important to note that if there are apertures on some surfaces they may not be exported. As an example, spider obscurations are not currently supported by the CAD export. If there are no apertures, sometimes the CAD export has trouble with complex shapes and the surface tolerance will have to be changed. To do this, go into the surface properties of the CAD part and go to the CAD tab. In the CAD tab change the Surface Tolerance to a smaller value like 1E-5 or 1E-6.   If this does not fix the problem please send the file to Zemax Support so we can debug it!

3 years ago

KalebUltraviolet

posted in People & Pointers

Edge Thickness Operand

QUESTION: Is there an optimization operand that ensures that there is air space between lenses when I have chip zone set to non-zero?   ANSWER: There are a couple ways you can do this depending on if you are targeting multiple edge thicknesses or just one. If you are just targeting one, try using the ETGT (Edge Thickness Greater Than) operand. If you leave Code and Mode as 0, it will constrain the Mechanical Semi-Diameter along the +Y axis. Whatever surface you put in, it will make sure that the thickness to the next Mech Semi-Diameter is greater than your target. Just set the target to be 0, and it will make sure that the Chip Zones do not cross over each other. If you want to target multiple surfaces, try using MNET (Minimum Edge Thickness). This will allow you to put a range of surfaces to be greater than the specified value. Again use the Mechanical Semi-Diameter by entering “0” in the Mode column.

3 years ago

KalebUltraviolet

posted in People & Pointers

Coating Multiple Faces of CAD Part

QUESTION: I have imported a CAD part that has over 50 faces. I would like to put a coating on each face. Is there a way to coat all the faces at once? ANSWER: Yes, there is! Go the CAD tab in the Object properties for the CAD object. In the Model Parameters section, change Surface Mode to “Use Single Surface”. Now the whole object will be represented by a single face.

3 years ago

KalebUltraviolet

posted in People & Pointers

Tolerancing with Merit Function Criterion violates compensator min and max

QUESTION: I am running a tolerance analysis with Merit Function as the criterion. However, the min and max values for the compensators go beyond what is called out in my Tolerance Data Editor after the tolerancing is run. Why is this? ANSWER: If you are using Merit Function as the criterion, you must define boundaries to the compensators in the Merit Function Editor and not in the Tolerance Data Editor. Use optimization operands such as PMLT (Parameter less than) and PMGT (Parameter greater than) as well as other boundary operands to apply these boundary conditions.

3 years ago

KalebUltraviolet

posted in People & Pointers

How to add more lines to the Fit Index Data tool

QUESTION: how do I add more than 3 lines to the Fit Index Data tool in the Materials Catalog? ANSWER: Press Insert on your keyboard to insert more lines into the Fit Index Data editor. Also, if you have the data in a text format similar to the one shown below, it can be saved as a .DAT file and can be loaded in with the “Load Index Data” button.

3 years ago

Hui ChenZemax Staff

posted in People & Pointers

Hello hello!

Hi guys, I’d like to use this post to introduce myself! I’m with the Zemax Customer Success team and help our customers with their technical inquiries on our software. I’ve been with the team for 3 and half years now and am loving every part of the job! I got my PhD in Physical from U of R and before joining Zemax I worked at GigOptix Inc for about 10 years on developing high speed electro optic polymer modulators. I love working with lasers!I hope to see everyone here often in the new forum and let’s chat OpticStudio! :)

1 year ago

Michael ChengZemax Staff

posted in People & Pointers

FAQ of Enhanced Ray-Aiming for users

All the information below is obsolete. Please refer to this knowledge base article for full information. Introduction to Enhanced Ray Aiming and Ray Aiming Wizard Q: What is this?Starting from 21.1, we have added experimental feature for the Ray-Aiming algorithm, which are supposed to solve Ray-Aiming problems in some extreme user cases or novel application designs. In these challenging cases, the current Ray-Aiming algorithm usually has hard time to find the chief ray that hitting STOP center for the problematic field.Since the new algorithm is still in beta testing, it’s not enabled by default. Users need to explicitly turn on the feature in order to test the new function.Q: What problems does the experimental feature solve?A system with Ray-Aiming problems can end up in many different syndromes. The following are a few examples. Note it’s important to know the following error could be caused by other reasons but not Ray-Aiming. It could be the system has reached the physical limitat

1 year ago

KalebUltraviolet

posted in People & Pointers

NSDD not working in Universal Plot

QUESTION: I am using the Universal Plot and have NSDD as my Dependent Variable. When I press OK I get the error “Some of the operands cannot be computed!”. Why is this? ANSWER: Instead of using NSDD as the Operand for the dependent variable, it must be set to Merit, and the Line should be set to NSDD: This is because to use NSDD like many other Non Sequential operands, the detectors should be cleared, and a ray trace must be run. This can be done by using blank NSDD and NSTR operands prior to the NSDD operand you are trying to plot in the merit function:

3 years ago

Angel MoralesZemax Staff

posted in People & Pointers

OpticsTalk: Peak Nano GRIN Optics

Here is the discussion space for the OpticsTalk: Peak Nano GRIN Optics, which was hosted by Dr. Rich Lepkowicz, Senior Vice President, and Dr. Guy Beadie, Director of Optical Technologies at Peak Nano Optics. In the talk, Rich and Guy presented a background on GRIN optics, reviewed the principles and capabilities of their layered gradient index (LGRIN) elements, and shared insights in applying LGRIN elements into existing optical designs, including considerations of the metrology and tolerancing of their LGRIN optics. Please find the slides attached to this post! Have questions or comments? Post them here to keep the conversation going!

2 years ago

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