Ansys Optics 2024R1 – Design for cutting-edge solutions in optics and photonics
Ansys Lumerical, Speos, and Zemax form an ensemble of Ansys Optics, which encapsulates everything needed to design cutting-edge solutions in optics and photonics. Ansys Optics covers the whole field of optical simulations from quantum level to illumination applications. As technology improves, even the most common applications include high technology features, from complex coatings to minimize stray light to macro-scale surface structures for modifying light in tight spaces. Here are three reasons for using Ansys optical software and the new Ansys 2024R1 release.
“Modern optical simulation and analysis software by the likes of Ansys Optics have enabled evermore complex design, without the knowledge worth a lifetime of the endless intricacies in photonics.” Olli Hakala, Senior Optical Engineer
1. Additions and improvements to analysis, optimization, and customization
Analysis and optimization are now more accurate than ever, whether you are working in semi-conductor technology, imaging systems, or lighting and illumination. Analysing DCR (Dark Count Rate) and crosstalk of SPADs (Single Photon Avalanche Diode) in CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) circuit in Lumerical has taken a leap towards more realism by considering elusive phenomena, such as spontaneous polarization and field discontinuities.
Zemax can better define the functionality of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) by utilizing User-Defined Birefringence DLL (Dynamic Link Library) functionality (also see our earlier article about “Maximize your Ansys Zemax with customized user-defined features”). In contrast, Speos Light Expert can provide better visualization of ray interaction in complex lens systems.
2. Interoperability and work-flow improvements
Multidisciplinary analysis and optimization across the platforms are common in the Ansys Optics suite. Meta-lens can be imported from Lumerical to Zemax for image quality analysis, from which an optimized camera lens system and sensor can be further imported seamlessly to Speos for stray light analysis.
Zemax can better simulate diffractive phenomena by directly using Lumerical capabilities, whereas Speos VR Lab and Lumerical Sub-Wavelength Model provide new ways to experience simulation results. Interoperability and workflow improvements between the Ansys optical suite and other Ansys software in multi-physics analyses ensure easy and reliable transition of analyses between platforms.
3. Calculation time improvements and more realistic simulations
Calculation time improvements within the software and using cluster computation enable more realistic simulations for demanding systems, such as large-scale meta-lenses. Faster calculation times have been reached by better utilizing GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) for rapid meshing and geometry creation and grouping and creating smart-patterned macro-scale element assemblies of up to 2 cm in size, with 100,000 instances.
NVIDIA GPUs and scalable clusters have provided up to 28 times acceleration, and by combining raw calculation power with improvements within the software i.e., Speos Live Preview can provide 4k full-screen navigation of real-time analysis.
Conclusion
Optical simulation and analysis software have enabled more complex designs without a vast knowledge of the endless intricacies of photonics. The rapid development of technology requires an ongoing supplement of knowledge, and using Ansys software ensures that the current means to achieve the most demanding requirements can be brought to your desktop.
Did this spark any interest? At PDSVISION, we help you find the best tools for your digital product development needs. Send us a message, and let’s discuss how you can benefit from Ansys Optics!
Olli Hakala, Senior Optical Engineer
