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36 Topics
M
ma-sundeMonochrome
asked in ZOS-API
ZOS-API: NumSegs=0 from IRayTraceNSCData.ReadNextResult for All Manually Added Rays

Hi all,I'm using the ZOS-API in Python (OpticStudio 2024 R1) with IBatchRayTrace to trace manually defined NSC rays. I'm creating the interface using teh batch tool and adding rays using nscData.AddRay(...).The trace completes successfully (batchTool.Succeeded is True, and RunAndWaitForCompletion() doesn't crash ). However, when I read the results using nscData.ReadNextResult(), the numSegments output parameter is consistently 0 for all rays. This happens even when:The system is minimal (new file, 1 wavelength, 1 Standard Lens, 1 Detector Rectangle). Rays are defined with various trace options (None, UsePolarization, UseSplitting, UseScattering, and combinations). The ray path clearly interacts with objects (e.g., passes through the lens and hits the detector).It also doesnt show any errors...Is it expected that IRayTraceNSCData.ReadNextResult will return numSegments = 0 for simple interactions like refraction or absorption when rays are launched via AddRay? If so, what is the intended

40
M
O
OliverInfrared
asked in Got a question?
Quantifying Back Reflections in Zemax for Optical Fiber Endoscope

Hi,This is Oliver. I’m currently working on an optical fiber endoscope project, where minimizing back reflections is critical for our application in optical coherence tomography (OCT).In particular, I’m looking to quantify the back reflections from specific lens surfaces—such as the ball lens-air interface highlighted in the attached figure. The system involves a single-mode fiber launching light through a segment of coreless fiber and a ball lens. The majority of the back reflections appear to originate from the ball lens-air interface.My goal is to use Zemax to estimate the amount of power reflected back into the single-mode fiber. For example, if the input power is 10 mW, is it possible to calculate the power reflected back toward the source in Zemax?Ultimately, I plan to optimize the material and geometry of the ball lens to minimize these reflections. I’ve attached the Zemax file for your reference, and I would appreciate any guidance or suggestions on how best to approach this an

481
Rishab
D
DusanVisible
asked in Got a question?
OpticStudio 23.2.1 "freezes" while saving file

HelloUsing Interference Example 1- A Simple Interferometer from SAMPLES folder I created a simple setup to test a right-angle prism with pyramidal error. At the end I wanted to save the file but OS just froze and didn’t react any more - even after a longer time. I ended the program in Task Manager and opened it again without problem. The file to-be-saved before seemed to have saved well and it was possible to continue the work. I tried to save again and OS froze again. And so many times… In my last trial I wanted to check Preferences and after some time in Preferences OS froze again.All other sequential and non-sequential files that I have behave normally.What could be the reason. Attached is the screenshot of the file.Thanks, Dusan

29538
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Bharat
BharatSingle Emitter
asked in People & Pointers
Converting phase from a DOE to a refractive lens

  

240
Bharat
turner12345
turner12345Single Emitter
asked in Got a question?
ANSY logo contaminating graphics windows

How do I turn this off? We pay to use Zemax, not to be an advertiser for Ansys.

762
Sean Turner
Ultraviolet
Egis
EgisSingle Emitter
asked in ZPL
Through Focus Spot Diagrams separated by wavelengths

The current Through Focus Spot Diagram (TFSD) merges all wavelengths in the same plot, however it provides separation between fields. Right now I’m cloning windows and set the wavelength separate in each window.Is it possible to have a “simple” script to have them separate by wavelengths for a single field? What could be a command for the TFSD plot then?In principle it gives a different view to a Focal Shift.  

130
Egis
S
sathyaInfrared
asked in Got a question?
How to design optical fiber in Zemax student version?

I am using zemax student version. Can anyone tell me how to design optical fiber?

331
C
Fully Spectral
Z
ZurMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
NSQ lens edge thickness

Is there an operand for lens edge thickness in non seq mode? (for standard lens object)

411
David.Nguyen
Luminary
nalewis
nalewisSingle Emitter
asked in Got a question?
PSF with Gaussian input

Hi, I am new to using Zemax I am trying to use the PSF functionality to simulate how the PSF/focused beam size changes with input beam size.Since the imaging is diffraction-limited, I assume I can only use PSF functionality to determine the output beam size. How do I change the input beam size/will this change the PSF result?  Can I set the input beam to be Gaussian? This is what we have in our real system.

531
Rishab
M
Marc.DerrienInfrared
asked in ZPL
ZRDPLAYBACK no longer works?

Hi,I would like to use the ZRDPLAYBACK function, but it doesn't seem to work, I think it doesn't take filters string into account.I have similar problem iy I use a function like  NSTR 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, A$ ,”W1”,2Marc.

534
M
S
simon.schroeder_01Infrared
asked in Got a question?
EFLY/EFLX operands considering Zernike coefficients

Hello, so far I was under the impression that the EFLY/EFLX operands ignore all Zernike coefficients (e.g. of Biconic Zernike surface) and purely consider the radii of curvature . Now I discovered that the coefficient “Zernike 4” and its effect on the curvature is considered for EFL calculation. Although the Zernike 4 polynomial is proportional to r² and thus directly changes the effective radius of curvature, it is by far the not the only Zernike polynomial effecting the EFL in X- and Y-direction (e.g. Zernikes 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, ...).  Is this change in EFL calculation a bug or intented? What was the OpticStudio release this change in ELFY/EFLX was introduced with? I could not find any mentions in the release notes.  Best regards, Simon

481
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
Rishab
RishabSingle Emitter
asked in Got a question?
Surface Deformation plot not analogous to the wavefront error

Hi,I am trying to see the wavefront error due to surface deformations and also extract the zernike values with the help of STAR nodule in Zemax.The FEA data from NX is imported to STAR which I am fitting onto a flat mirror surface. After data fitting there is a difference in the wavefront map profile and the actual deformed surface profile.I am unable to understand what the cause may be. Any help is appreciated.Regards,Rishab

260
Rishab
mlunin
mluninMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
GRIN Lens Design Tolerancing

I have an optical design with GRIN lenses and want to tolerance it. How does tolerancing work with GRIN systems - is there anything that changes at all?For example - In which direction does doing a thickness tolerance remove/add GRIN material from? For example, if the part is 0.1 mm thicker, does it add GRIN based on the definition of n(x,y,z) and the gradient? What about when the part is toleranced to be thinner? Which section of GRIN material is removed? How does tolerancing index work? Does it apply a random offset to each part? Constant offset? Similarly, does the GRIN profile also get tilted when doing a tilt tolerance? Note - this is using a custom GRIN user defined *.dll. 

160
mlunin
T
Tali.mutatInfrared
asked in Got a question?
"Y only" / "X only" Type in Geomerical Encireled Energy calculation

Zemax Team Hi,Please explain how Zemax calculates the amount of Geometrical Energy for “Y - only” / “X - only”  Type  and what does it mean?Is it a fraction from the “Encircled Geometrical Energy” ?Thanks in Advance,Tali M.

210
T
Toshihiro
ToshihiroInfrared
asked in 質問コーナー
スポットダイアグラム画像を保存できない。

Ansys Zemax OpticStudio 2025 R1.00に先日アップデートしたところ、スポットダイアグラムが保存できない現象が出ております。エラーメッセージの画像を添付いたします。改善方法をご教示いただけないでしょうか？以下がわかったことです。 この現象はファイル依存性はなく、ZOSを立ち上げた際の初期ファイル(LENS.zmx)でも起こっています。 この現象はPC再起動をしても、ソフトを再起動しても改善できませんでした。 この現象はスポットダイアグラムの画像保存時には起こりますが、3Dレイアウトの画像保存時には起こっていません。 以上、どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。    

1337
Toshihiro
A
Ultraviolet
AsukuUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
How to model a Angle Cleaved (APC) fiber showing output ray

Hello. I am trying to model a Angle Cleaved fiber source that emits beam. I would like to show the exit beam is offset at 4° from the optical fiber mechanical axis. How can I model this in SEQ mode?  Essentially, I want to model something like shown below in Zemax Sequential mode.PS: I am referencing this KB article to model a Angle Cleaved fiber on the receiving side. 

531
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
mocquin
mocquinVisible
asked in ZOS-API
Dispersion Diagram in ZOS API

Can you confirm that neither setting the paramters of a dispersion diagram or reading the results is possible through the API ?I couldn’t find any settings neither extract some dataseries results

171
mocquin
theo.sieg-letessier
theo.sieg-letessierSingle Emitter
asked in Got a question?
Ideal thick lens, Optic studio sequential mode

Hi all,I am studying the limits of a metrology instrument, and specially the FT lens contribution to systematic errors. For this purpose, I simplify my system by a source, a thick lens, and a detector. I study this configuration with 3 different ways:Using jones calculus. Using Zemax optic studio sequential mode piloted with Python loops. I simulate the exact same configuration as studied with jones calculus. I have 2 models: One using a ‘paraxial’ surface type with non-null thickness. The other one using a standard surface.  However, I obtain 3 different results, and I lack the experience to identify the difference in assumptions or hypothesis between the 3 cases. Could someone help me or point me in the right direction? A lot of thanks for your time, Théo Sieg-Letessier.

280
theo.sieg-letessier
jsung
Ultraviolet
jsungUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
How export sequential lenses with rays to CAD file

Not sure if this topic was discussed before, but I haven’t found it yet.Sometimes I need to export lenses to CAD file (STEP or X_T) including ray bundles for each object field. What is proper setting for having rays that can be viewed in program like Solidworks?For example I tried the setting below, but this STEP file didn’t display field cone rays in SW.  RegardsJS

1006
jsung
Ultraviolet
M
millyro1993Single Emitter
asked in Got a question?
Focusing with two aspheric lenses

 Hello,I want to focus the beam with two aspheric lenses. I have tried to optimize the system with the merit function, but I still have a large RWS wavefront error that says I can't get a tough focus. Could you please give me some advice on how to further minimize my focus. I can't change the parameters of the lenses (RoC, thickness of the lens, because these lenses already exist), only the distances between the lenses and between lens and mirror. All information about the system and results can be found bellow.Thank you! 

502
M
A
Ultraviolet
AsukuUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
How do I model a angled single mode source array in sequential mode?

I would like to model a fiber source array with a X° facet angle in sequential model -  I would like to control the number of rows and columns by defining a pitch size in both axis.An example or article that shows how this can be achieved will be helpful? PS: I see that this is possible w/ a non-sequential setup (How to create an array of sources – Knowledgebase) but is there a way to do this in sequential?

742
A
Ultraviolet
pricecj
pricecjInfrared
asked in Got a question?
Beam Profile Analysis using Physical Optics Propagation

I would like to use POP to measure the size and profile of a beam as it approaches its focal position, however, I am struggling to configure this correctly. The model is a recreation of an experiment I have setup in the lab as I would like to compare the results. The input beam has a very low divergence value (~0.04 mrads, NA 0.000035), and a single achromat lens is used to focus the beam. The position of the lens relative to the source has been set to give a diameter of  ~ 2 mm at this surface. Using the tutorial https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500005488601-Using-Physical-Optics-Propagation-POP-Part-1-Inspecting-the-beams I cofnigured the aperture type and POP seetings to create the approprite beam definiton and launch conditions.  I then placed various dummy surfaces throughout the system to assess the beam waist.  The problem arises when the beam reaches the lens surface (surface 3). No matter how much I change the size of the sampling grids of the previous surfaces (1

422
pricecj
PBZ
PBZSingle Emitter
asked in Licensing and Installation
Installing Legacy Zemax on a new PC

I have a legacy “black” USB license for Zemax, and am hoping to install whichever legacy version of the software I have a right to (the old computer in our laboratory, on which Zemax was installed, having finally given up the ghost).Can anyone please assist?

1273
D
Farz
FarzSingle Emitter
asked in Licensing and Installation
OffAxisEvenAsphere3

Hello I get an error that zemax cannot open a file because it cannot load “OffAxisEvenAsphere3” . I copied and pasted the dll into the zemax dll directory but it did not solve the problem. what will be the possible solution for that? 

291
Allie
Zemax Staff
Mamoun2025
Mamoun2025Single Emitter
asked in Got a question?
Composite Surface with coordinate breaks?

Is there a way—similar to using a Composite Surface in sequential mode—to add the sags of multiple surfaces from different configurations (surfaces 8 in attached file), even when they have coordinate breaks?Composite Surface addition requires that all surfaces share the same coordinate system!

150
Mamoun2025

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