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
  • 776 Replies

181 Topics

achatte01
achatte01
asked in People & Pointers

When Zemax became optics studio

I can’t located the release notes for last 10 years is there a location where there are release notes of each upgrades and bug fixes?I am curious to know which version of zemax became opticstudio, I believe its version 13. Am I correct? Which is the most stable version in terms of bug fixes and features. 

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

How to control the aspherical surface during the optimization

I had a hard time in controlling the aspherical surface shape on a design found by the hammer optimization (over night, you get it. It’s a better practice to add some constrains before we optimize instead of after the optimization.) for my project. I did some investigation and want to share with you some methods and tools that I found quite useful.We can use the Q type to optimize, then convert to even asphere if needed for certain reasons. The tool in Analysis->PAL/Freeform→ Power Pupil/Field Map may help, similarly the surface sag cross section. Following the second one, we can control these by using POWF and POWP For mold glass we need something close to sphere, this can be controlled by BFSD The SDRV and the SCUR can be applied to optimize the plastic lenses to have the desired shapeI may miss some useful tools. Certain methods may not work for certain cases. I would like to know what you think about these methods and do you have other ways to achieve this?

1
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
1 year ago
G
Gernot.BlobelSingle Emitter
posted in People & Pointers

Tech Tip: Human Skin and Heart Rate Sensor Modelling

Heart rate sensors are often included in wearable tech devices. What is the technology that enables us to measure the heartbeat with our smartwatch or fitness tracker? How can we simulate it with Zemax OpticStudio?  Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a low cost, non-invasive optical technology that takes physiological measurements on the surface of the skin. PPG devices consist of infrared or visible range light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodetectors. They provide a simple optical technique to detect blood volume changes in tissues. Light is more strongly absorbed and scattered by blood than by the surrounding tissue. Therefore, the pulsation of blood causes a variation of opposite phase in the signal of the detector.How to implement a human skin tissue model in OpticStudio, and how to simulate the measured signal of a PPG device over time using a ZOS-API application is described in detail in our Knowledgebase article.Light scattering by small particles in turbid media, such as in biolog

1
V
8 months ago
Xu Chen
Xu ChenMonochrome
asked in People & Pointers

Modeling and Mitigating Surface Aberrations and Irregularities through Using Composite Surfaces

One of the many uses of OpticStudio composite surfaces is that they offer a powerful tool to analyze and manipulate optical surface irregularities. They enable the addition of multiple sag profiles to create complex surface distributions. Therefore, users can stack multiple surfaces to study various optical effects. To demonstrate this usage, we will use an achromat lens with composite surfaces configured through the multi-configuration editor.  One of the critical elements in this approach is the correct utilization of the Zernike fringe sag surface type on the add-on composite surface. This surface choice allows us to convert Seidel aberrations from Zernike expansion coefficient terms. Consequently, by manipulating the parameters on this surface within the multi-configuration editor, we can effectively manage the Seidel aberrations arising from the surface irregularity. As a designer, one can follow this step-by-step guide to analyze, model, and mitigate surface aberrations and irreg

1
Xu Chen
2 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
Steven.Lacava
Zemax Staff
Steven.LacavaZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

Tech Tip Tuesdays with Zemax: Human Tissue Modeling

Tech Tip Tuesdays with Zemax: Human Tissue Modeling    In my last article I wrote about the power of custom coatings in OpticStudio, how to create them and the ramifications of model detail. OpticStudio has a lot of breadth, and this allows a user great flexibility when creating a model. In this example, we’ll explore how you can extend a model with simplistic assumptions to a more complex multi-physics model using more realistic conditions or even incorporate measured data.       The materials catalog can be found under the Libraries tab, then Materials Catalog  OpticStudio has extensive catalogs of materials and their associated optical properties. Model materials may also be created to address unusual needs not covered by optical catalogs. This allows the user to define custom materials for nearly any discipline, such as heat shields, fiber for lasers, and even human skin. In the case of human skin, each layer can be accounted for independently and the data can be saved as a new mat

1
R
Ultraviolet
1 year ago
Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
Michael ChengZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers

Reverse a HUD system

This post provides a potentially working method for reversing an off-axial sysetm such like a HUD. It may not work with all systems, but have been proved to be useful for some systems.Turn off RA. Clear all fields. This is becuase RA will throw erorrs during the following tweaking. And the field data is unlikely to be unchnaged so let's just remove it and re-add them later. If the number of mirrors is odd, add one more mirror after object, using the Add Mirror Tool. Add a dummy surface after object and before image. Select all surface and reverse. After reversing it, multiply all decenter/tilt by -1 and set Order flag to opposite. Remember to adjust image and object distance. and turn on the RA again. You can remove the dummy mirror if you add it at step 2.In the attached video, we showed an example of using this process with the following example in the KBA. Note in the video, I forgot to do the final step to turn on the Ray Aiming.https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/150000557

1
Niki
Zemax Staff
2 months 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
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
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
designerguy13-photonics
designerguy13-photonicsVisible
posted in People & Pointers

Know About Me

Dear all!Greetings of the day! Hope this mail finds you well. Open for the Optical Design Engineer opportunity. To catch your attention I would like to brief in very simple words about my expertise. With a strong background in Microelectronics and VLSI at post graduate level where I completed my project on designing a dynamic latch comparator from RTL to GDS flow using Synopsys Galaxy custom designer 32 nm PDK. Followed by my doctoral (pursuing since 2018) in computational modeling of Nanophotonic Image sensors with a good record of certifications in using industry standard simulation tools (ANSYS Lumerical, HFSS) and Zemax (Optistudio). Above all, my love for learning new IC technology encouraged me to complete the  risc-v-myth-workshop by VSD-Design and RedWoodEDA, where I was recognized by the trainers as top performers.  I have also supervised two VLSI Post graduates back in 2016-17 session.Some of my top certifications are listed below: CUSTOM LAYOUT -VSD DESIGN - UDEMYMUTx: PHOTO

1
Alissa Wilczynski
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
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
Lisa C
Zemax Staff
Lisa CZemax Staff
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

491
Allie
Zemax Staff
1 year ago
E
Zemax Staff
Erin.ElliottZemax Staff
asked in People & Pointers

Listing the Q-con Polynomials

Generating the Q­con polynomialsOpticStudio supports Q-type aspheres.  Type 0 indicates Qbfs polynomials, and Type 1 indicates Qcon polynomials.  The functional forms of the Q-type polynomials are fairly complex due to the requirement that the polynomials be orthonormal for a circular aperture.  Occasionally, it is convenient to know the functional form of the polynomials for testing and comparison purposes. Below, we list the first 20 Qcon polynomials, and also share the derivation in the Mathematica file GenerateQConPolynomials.nb.  The .nb files for Mathematica can be used by downloading the free Wolfram Player: https://www.wolfram.com/player/.Important equations for the Qcon polynomialsThe Qcon polynomials can be calculated in a straightforward way using an equation for the Jacobi polynomials.From Shape specification for axially symmetric optical surfaces, G.W. Forbes, Optics Express 5218, Vol. 15, No. 8, 16 Apr 2007, the polynomials are related to the Jacobi by:Definitions for the

1
Kevin Scales
Zemax Staff
2 months ago
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.

1
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
1 year ago
Nicholas Herringer
Zemax Staff
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.

0
Nicholas Herringer
Zemax Staff
3 years ago
H
Zemax Staff
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

0
H
Zemax Staff
3 years ago
Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
Mark.NicholsonLuminary
posted in People & Pointers

New Video on http://youtube.com/designopticsfast

Hey peeps, I've just added a new video in my YouTube channel. This latest one is on optimizing the Landscape Basic Shape, and it's the first in a series that will cover optimizing all the Basic Shapes of Imaging Sytsems. The new video is here:  Optimizing the Landscape Basic Shape If you find it useful, please like it and subscribe to the channel as this helps make the channel more visible to other people who might find it useful. Thanks! - Mark

0
Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
3 years ago
H
Zemax Staff
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.

0
H
Zemax Staff
3 years ago
Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
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

0
Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
3 years ago
Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
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

0
Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
3 years ago
Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
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

0
Michael Cheng
Zemax Staff
3 years ago
K
Ultraviolet
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!

0
K
Ultraviolet
4 years ago
Angel Morales
Zemax Staff
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!

0
Angel Morales
Zemax Staff
2 years ago

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