According to Zemax’s online help https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500005578722-Simulating-diffraction-efficiency-of-surface-relief-grating-using-the-RCWA-method, for the particular diffraction grating that we are trying to model,  we need to increase the Max Order parameter.In the help on “simulating diffraction efficiency  of a surface relief grating using the RCWA method” authored by Michael Cheng and updated on April 28, 2023 under the subsection Max Order it is stated“This is currently limited to 10 (totally 21 harmonics). When the number is larger than 10, it’s modified to 10 in the DLL. Contact support team to increase the limitation.”What is the procedure to increase the limitation?

While analyzing the results of batch ray traces, I noticed that some rays seemed to be transmitted through the system that I did not believe should have made it. To test this, I set up a series of ray traces, all with the same set of input ray positions and direction cosines (no difference whatever). The only parameter I let vary between the traces was the final surface of the ray trace. In other words, my setup contained this line:RayTraceData = raytrace.CreateDirectPol(total_rays_in_both_axes, ZOSAPI.Tools.RayTrace.RaysType.Real, 0,0,0,0,startSurface,endSurface);where only endSurface was allowed to vary. I stepped endSurface through every surface and recorded the vignetteCode value of every ray. Plotting the results, I have found a few instances where a subset of the rays that vignette at the nth surface are not listed as vignetting at the n+1st surface. For example (see attached), the plot for surface 18 shows rays that were listed as vignetting at surfaces 7, 8, and 9, which are no

Hi, I’m trying to use ZPL to run a couple of loops and save geometric image analysis. This loops aim to change the field and wavelength in the settings of the image, but I cannot make it work. If I go for the text-only saving option, it doesn’t change either. To guide you into the code, first I define the x and y of the fields:DECLARE setxfields, DOUBLE, 1, 9DECLARE setyfields, DOUBLE, 1, 9setxfields(1) = 0.0setxfields(2)=9.68938        …setyfields(1)=-0.0    setyfields(2)=-0.034… Then define the folders and filenames and then start the loopFOR wave2, 1, 9, 1    FOR field, 1, 9, 1    field_x = setxfields(field)    field_y = setyfields(field)    SETSYSTEMPROPERTY 101, 9    SYSP 102, 1, FLDX(field)    SYSP 103, 1, FLDY(field)    SYSP 202,1,WAVL(wave2)    window=WINL()    OPENANALYSISWINDOW "IMA"    UPDATE ALL    filename$ = arm$+"_"+mode$+"_"+"test_wave_"+$str(WAVL(wave2))+"_field_"+$str(field)+".bim"    filename2$ = arm$+"_"+mode$+"_"+"test_wave_"+$str(WAVL(wave2))+"_field_"+$str(field)

HiI am  using Zemax to simulate images of scenes through customized imaging setups. However, I am unable to simulate images of scene with sufficient resolution.My current imaging setup convolves a complex PSF with the observed scene. Extracting actual scene information requires deconvolution of the image to obtain a meaningful image. This means that I cannot resort to the classical MTF procedure using the FFT of the simulated PSF, as it would only give me the MTF of the convoluted image.I have therefore tried to proceed by scene analysis to extract MTF, i.e. simulate with Zemax the image of classic checkerboard patterns seen through my custom design and then in a second stage extract the MTF using image processing software. The core issue is that the resolution of images obtained after deconvolution are insufficient for image analysis and MTF extraction by slanted edge method.Is there any way to get more accurate scene imaging through simulation with my setup? Or is there another metho

In particular, I’m using the Python API. I would like to be able to look for objects by name to make the scripts more reusable.

Hello,I’m trying to convert the following C# code snippet:var hpsf =TheSystem.Analyses.New_Analysis(AnalysisIDM.HuygensPsfCrossSection);var hpsf_settings = hpsf.GetSettings() as IAS_HuygensPsfCrossSection;hpsf_settings.PupilSampleSize = (SampleSizes)(_pupilSampling + 1);hpsf_settings.ImageSampleSize = (SampleSizes)(_imageSampling + 1);hpsf_settings.ImageDelta = 0;into Python:hpsf= TheSystem.Analyses.New_Analysis(ZOSAPI.Analysis.AnalysisIDM.HuygensPsfCrossSection)hpsf_setting=hpsf.GetSettings()hpsf_settings.ImageDelta = 0but I got error messageAttributeError: 'IAS_' object has no attribute 'ImageDeltHow can I cast  hpsf_setting returned by GetSettings() into a HuygensPsfCrossSection specific object?Thank you very much! lin

Hi all,is there a way to access the contents of the Ray Database Viewer via the ZOS-API? I did not find any example. I am not even sure whether it is possible since there does not seem to exist an interface for this analysis type in ZOS-API. I found a knowledge base article which explains how to read the contents of .ZRD files (Batch Processing of Ray Trace Data using ZOS-API in MATLAB or Python – Knowledgebase (zemax.com)). However, I have no idea how much effort is required to recreate the content of the Ray Database Viewer from the .ZRD file.Best regardsBenjamin

In a simple exercise where a paraxial lens is used to collimate a beam from a diode source, I use a rectangle detector to monitor the output of the lens.Using the function GetAllDetectorDataSafe(det_id, x) or other, is it possible to retrieve the detector data in the angular space? I would like to extract the angular RMS to conduct an optimization of the lens position that results in a collimated beam. Kind regards

Hi all, I am writing a ZPL macro which calculates phase patterns and imports the phase into Grid Phase Surface automatically. (There is a typo in title. I’m using a Grid Phase Surface) I found a way to import the grid phase using IMPORTEXTRADATA keywords in a below questionMacro import of .dat file onto a Grid Phase surface | Zemax CommunityBut it requires “reading” .dat files; so, I should firstly generate .dat file for the calculated phase profiles, and after that I could read again the phase from those .dat files to import. It seems to be very inefficient method and takes too long time to write and read my phase profile.  Is there any way to import phase data directly from another data types in ZPL (like array or vec) instead of writing and reading .dat files? With best regards,Jiwoon.

Hello,I am trying to develop a ZPL macro that will be used in my merit function so that different wavelengths and different fields will all share the same MTF. I am currently getting very good results with my code, but it is a little bit slow at roughly 8 seconds per cycle which is worrisome as I am currently only doing 1 field with 3 wavelengths. I was wondering how GETMTF actually works since it seems like it is calculating the entire MTF and only extracts the value for a single specified frequency when GETMTF is ran. For my purpose, it would be more efficient to calculate the entire MTF once for each wavelength/field, and then I could just grab the values directly from the MTF rather than having to run a loop combined with GETMTF to get the values I need to calculate MSE.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions on making my code more efficient or any alternative methods to solve this problem. 

For both radiometric analysis (for example determining the power incident on a detector) and optimization, the best choice for a source is almost always a pseudo-random source such as a Source Ellipse, with enough analysis rays to provide for smooth statistics. Frequently, this means tens of thousands to millions of rays. For visualization, OpticStudio provides the capability to designate a lesser number of Layout Rays to appear in layout plots. These layout rays are still randomly distributed. If only a few rays are used, they generally do not well represent the design. If enough rays are used to visualize the extent of the volume occupied by rays, then the plot can become crowded.As a solution to this problem, the accompanying DLL files provide the ability to generate, in non-sequential mode, uniform fans and rings of rays similar to those which can be displayed in sequential mode layouts. They are compiled for a Windows 64-bit platform.YFAN.DLL is a source dll which, when installed

Hello,So I’ve been trying to alter the number of cores through a macro by using “SYSP 901, []”. However, each time I run the ray trace (NSTR 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0), the number of cores resets to its maximum value.To attempt to identify why, I re-used the code proposed HERE, adding a “print SYPR(901)”, and I get the following.The elapsed time varies somewhat, but stays close enough to one another to conclude that the NSTR is somehow resetting the # of core before running the ray trace.-The duration is coherent with 20 cores (~7.8s) if I run it using the Ray Trace Control window; the time at 1 core is ~40s, 16 cores 7.4 s-I’ve tried using the advanced options in the system explorer to Turn Off Threading, without it having any apparent effect.-Apparently NSTR does an update to everything before running, but I’ve not been able to reproduce the bug with “UPDATE” so I don't think that's the cause.-I’ve tried other files and seen the same issue (namely Projector Modeled Using an IES Data File.Z

Hi everyone! Long time lurker, first time posting. I have been using Zemax for the past couple of months, and have been getting familiar with the backend, C# ZOS-API. As I’ve been getting more familiar with the ZOS-API, I’ve tried to more and more exciting things, which eventually lead me to use the batch ray tracing function. I can do this successfully and actually get quite a good representation of my input picture at the output image side, using CreateDirectUnpol and AddRays. However, I am trying to get a feel for intensity on the imaging plane, and the only output I get when using ReadNextResult is intensity = 1, even though my system has various elements with different non-100% coatings on them. However, I am using black-box lenses from Thorlabs, and I’m wondering if this causes Zemax not to give out the intensity values? If not, what could I be doing wrong?Attached is the relevant code I use which gives me 1 for intensity output: // Set up Batch Ray Trace

I´ve a simple simulation with a diode source followed by a gaussian diffuser and then a polar or rectangle detectors. I would like to see how the gaussian diffuser parameters (e.g. sigma parameter) affect the angular parameters of the output field.I´m having difficulties extracting the data both from the polar and rectangle detectors when using the ZOS-API. For the rectangle detector i´ve used the following sample code adapted from the Zemax repository:DetObj = 12obj = TheSystem.NCE.GetObjectAt(DetObj);numXPixels = obj.ObjectData.NumberXPixels;numYPixels = obj.ObjectData.NumberYPixels;pltWidth = 2 * obj.ObjectData.XHalfWidth;pltHeight = 2 * obj.ObjectData.YHalfWidth;pix = 0# Get detector datadetectorData = [[0 for x in range(numYPixels)] for x in range(numXPixels)]for x in range(0,numYPixels,1): for y in range(0,numXPixels,1): ret, pixel_val = TheNCE.GetDetectorData(DetObj, pix, 1, 0) pix += 1 if ret == 1: detectorData[y][x] = pixel_val else

I have a (n x m) array of diode sources. My optical simulation includes a sweep of n and m. However within the ZOS-API (python) i don´t seem to find this attribute in the diode source object.Does someone know how to access these variables?

While running the unit tests for ZOSPy, I discovered that calling Application.GetSystemAt(0) throws a System.ArgumentOutOfRangeException . This is rather weird, since the primary system should always be present. Upon further inspection, Application.NumberOfOpticalSystems turned out to be 0.I tried to reproduce this problem in C#, and succeeded. The problem also occurs in this example:bool isInitialized = ZOSAPI_Initializer.Initialize();var connection = new ZOSAPI_Connection();var application = connection.ConnectAsExtension(0);Console.WriteLine(application.NumberOfOpticalSystems); // --> 0var systemZero = application.GetSystemAt(0); // --> Throws ArgumentOutOfRangeExceptionBut not in this one, while the new surface added at the end doesn't appear in the GUI (indicating it is not interacting with the primary system):bool isInitialized = ZOSAPI_Initializer.Initialize();var connection = new ZOSAPI_Connection();var application = connection.ConnectAsExtension(0);Console.WriteLine(appli

Hi guys, I am new to learning ZPL. I have a list of macros that I am tasked to write at work. Here are the list below with their purpose. I was hoping anyone have written similar macro, p[lease share or give me tips on how to write them. Thanks.Compute the paraxial ABCD matrix between 2 surfaces. Bend a lens. Given one radius, compute the other radius to maintain the focal length. Macro to plot and optionally list the distortion over the full image format Calculate relative or absolute dn/dT values based on the Schott equations Draw the aperture(s) associated with a surface. Define a macro function to compute the clearance between two surfaces, including the sags of the two surfaces Compute the angular boresight error in object space of the system due to the decentration of a surface or a group of surfaces. Compute the edge thickness between two surfaces at a specified x,y location Plot the FOV points Tabulate the focal lengths of each component in the specified surface range. A compon

Hello, I want to push into my model an input file with data regarding new position/ parameters.When I execute the ZPL code through the GUI (Programing>Edit/Run, F9) it works just fine, but when I try to execute it through the merit function with a ZPLM row it seems that the SETNSCPARAMETER/ SETNSCPOSITION just isn’t working.I know the MFE is executing the ZPLM since I made a debug output which looks just fine, feels like I’m missing something very basic.Code snippet:OPEN INPUT_FILENAMEOUTPUT OUTPUT_FILENAMEREAD NUM_OF_PARAMS NUM_OBJPRINT NUM_OF_PARAMS, " ", NUM_OBJFOR II, 1, NUM_OF_PARAMS, 1 READ PARAM_NUMBER PARAM_VALUE PRINT PARAM_NUMBER, " ", PARAM_VALUE SETNSCPARAMETER 1, NUM_OBJ, PARAM_NUMBER, PARAM_VALUENEXTCLOSE An input/output example of the code above:## INPUT ##3 181 50 2 50000.0 3 0.005## OUTPUT ##3.0000 18.00001.0000 50.00002.0000 50000.00003.0000 0.0050 Edit: Wanted to point out that my ZPL files are located in Zemax/Macros

I am writing some python code using PyCharm to generate a non-sequential file from scratch. I’ve used the Zemax API extensively in the past for similar projects which either add or modify lots of rows in sequence, but I haven’t run any of those since before the Ansys merger. Now I’m starting to see some strange behavior as I debug. I have commands which I know and can verify work, even simple ones like:TheNCE.AddObject()While the program is running, it has no issues with these lines. If I save the file and open it, I can see everything is being added, comments are being set, colors are being set, etc. etc. The code works. But once I reach a break point and start debugging, I start getting this error, even when I run these commands that again, I have confirmed work as expected:System.Runtime.Remoting.RemotingException: Failed to write to an IPC Port: The pipe is being closed.I did some Googling and while I see some issues relating to server communication, I don’t see any references to Z

I am using zos api at pythonThe api is very good interface to expand my works.But, there are some questions.I want general information of the lens from prescriptionReport.I find a way to get the data from the code below. prescriptionReport = TheSystem.Analyses.New_Analysis(ZOSAPI.Analysis.AnalysisIDM.PrescriptionDataSettings)    prescriptionReport.ApplyAndWaitForCompletion()    prescriptionResults = prescriptionReport.GetResults() However, i cannot find extract data from the “prescriptionResults.”The only way i know is export the prescriptionResults to a text file and read it.i want some way to access the results of prescriptionResults . I am calculating Hygens PSF. It was not difficult to caluculate PSF map form zos-apiThere are important data in header to utilze the PSF.I used “headdata=result.get_HeaderData()”, but headdata does not have any data.I want headerdata of PSF. Thank you all  

Hi all, I am looking to build an API in MATLAB to perform image simulations in Zemax. I am having trouble with the basic case.My MATLAB Standalone Application:function [] = BeginApplication(TheApplication, filename)import ZOSAPI.*;TheSystem = TheApplication.PrimarySystem;TheSystem.LoadFile(filename, false);% Create analysisim_analysis = TheSystem.Analyses.New_ImageSimulation();im_settings = im_analysis.GetSettings();im_settings.OutputFile = 'testfinal.BMP';im_analysis.ApplyAndWaitForCompletion();end If I run this on the “Double Gauss 5 degree field.zmx” sample file, I get an image generated that simply [0,0,0]  pixels.I can run the simulation on the same .zmx file in OpticsStudio without issue. Any ideas what I am doing wrong?  

I use a cylinder volume with a scatter model (gaussian) in the front face to implement a generic diffuser.Among other parameters, the scatter model is adjusted through the sigma value.Using the following code does not result in the sigma value being updated:o11 = TheSystem.NCE.GetObjectAt(11)coat_scatter = o11.get_CoatScatterData()coat_scatter.GetFaceData(1).CurrentScatterModelSettings.set_Sigma(1.2)Alternatively, using the following code also does not update sigma:coat_scatter_face_1.CurrentScatterModelSettings.Sigma = 1.5 Does anyone had a similar experience? How to address this problem? Kind regards!

Hi all, I’ve seen a few discussions about ellipsoids in non-sequential mode. Notably, @David has shown how the Standard Lens object could be used to build ellipsoids with at least one axis of rotational symmetry in his remarkable answer to the post: Modelling an ellipsoidal volume in non-sequential mode. The Help File also has a section called “Modeling an ellipsoid with the Biconic surface” (The Setup Tab > Editors Group (Setup Tab) > Lens Data Editor > Sequential Surfaces (lens data editor) > Biconic), and the Biconic Surface is also available as a non-sequential object. However, I did not manage to recreate the ellipsoid as depicted in the Help File, which is certainly my fault. In light of the above, I thought it would be a good idea to program a DLL for an ellipsoid object. At the very least, it should have some educational value. You can find the current result of this work in this repository: https://github.com/Omnistic/ellipsoid_object.Here is an example (I’m using

% Set up primary optical systemTheSystem = TheApplication.PrimarySystem;TheSystem.MakeNonSequential();sampleDir = TheApplication.SamplesDir;…Solves the with purely non-sequential models.

Could anyone help troubleshoot an error when running the NSC RayTrace in Interactive Extension mode from Matlab - ‘Unrecognized field name "ClearDetectors".’?The code always runs the first time through, and then the second time through the below routine, either in the same program execution or after stopping and starting again, it hangs up on NSCRayTrace.ClearDetectors(0);                                      % Ray Trace                        % Create ray trace                        NSCRayTrace = TheSystem.Tools.OpenNSCRayTrace();                        NSCRayTrace.SplitNSCRays = false;                        NSCRayTrace.ScatterNSCRays = false;                        NSCRayTrace.UsePolarization = true;                        NSCRayTrace.IgnoreErrors = true;                        NSCRayTrace.SaveRays = false;                        NSCRayTrace.SavePaths = true;                        NSCRayTrace.SavePathsFile = 'Simulation_temp.PAF';                        NSCRayTrace.ClearDetectors(