Simulating Light from Free Space to Nano-Scale: Dynamic Link Between Zemax & Lumerical - Part 1
Hi, this is Majid Heidari from Ozen Engineering. Welcome to the third part of my video series on simulating AR/VR using ANSYS optics and photonics. In the previous part, we learned how to simulate 1D and 2D gratings using Lumerical. Now, we will focus on ray tracing, which involves two boundaries: ray optics and wave optics.
Ray Tracing
For wave optics, we need to simulate using Lumerical, while for ray optics, we can use Zemax. In this part, I will introduce the dynamic link between Lumerical and Zemax. This is the workflow:
- Design 1D and 2D grating structures.
- Use Zemax for ray tracing and measure the power at the pupil.
- Optimize the structure in subsequent sections.
Opening Zemax
Let's open Zemax. You can download the Zemax file from our knowledge base article. Upon opening the file in Zemax, it also opens two Lumerical files:
- 1D Grating
- 2D Grating
In my previous video, I described how RCWA (Rigorous Coupled-Wave Analysis) works. Here are the parameters and structures we have:
- Polygon 0, 1, 2: Base, Top Cover
- Material properties: Refractive index, duty cycle, depth, etc.
2D Grating in AR/VR Glasses
For AR/VR glasses, we have both 1D and 2D gratings. The 2D grating involves:
- Grating to read load
- Two H-pelo donuts
- Plano flip: A 2D periodic structure
In the topsoil properties, you can edit parameters like periodicity, refractive index, and material properties. For RCWA, we use a table for different angles (theta and phi) for simulation in the backend of Zemax.
Zemax and Lumerical Dynamic Workflow
This is a dynamic workflow between Zemax and Lumerical. When parameters change in Zemax, they automatically update in Lumerical. For example, changing the period X to 0.4 in Zemax reflects in Lumerical.
Surface and Grating Details
- Surface 2: Diffractive grating (1D)
- Position: Z = 0, Y = -5
- 2D Grating: Editable parameters like period X, period Y, slab index, etc.
Simulation and Results
We are working on non-sequential ray tracing, determining our source and detector. Let's run the simulation and discuss the results:
- Analyze and perform ray tracing.
- Observe intensity distribution and total power.
- Adjust parameters to optimize the grating.
For instance, changing the period to 0.4 and running the simulation shows different peak radiance and total power values, indicating optimization potential.
Conclusion
This video demonstrates the dynamic workflow between Zemax and Lumerical for optimizing 1D and 2D gratings. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below or email us. We will try to address them in the next video. Thank you!
Hi, this is Magite Ilari from Ozen Engineering. This is part three of my video regarding simulating AR/VR using ANSYS Optics and Photonics. In the previous part, we learned how to simulate 1D and 2D gratings using numerical methods. Now, we want to do ray tracing.
For ray tracing, we have two boundaries: ray optics and wave optics. For wave optics, we need to simulate using numerical methods. For ray optics, they can use ZMAX. In this part, I will introduce my dynamic link between numerical and ZMAX.
This is the workflow: for the first part, this is a grating structure that we need for designers (1D and 2D gratings). Here is ZMAX. In this section, we will do the ray tracing and measure the power at the pupil. It's a dynamic workflow between ZMAX and numerical.
I will show you how it works, and then, in the next section, I will describe how we can optimize the structure. Let's open ZMAX. You can find the information of this topic in the 1D/2D rewriting analysis in our knowledge base article.
For the 2D grating, we have 1D and 2D gratings in the AR/VR glasses. This is our grating structure. We have two H pellets and a plano flip. This is a 2D structure, a periodic structure. We have a rod and a slab. It's a positive and negative part of the material. In ZMAX, we have five rows.
The first row is the main parameters: number, row number two, and number three. For number two, if I select it and go to the object, I can see that I have two rows. If I select the object and go to the diffraction, I see that the address is 224 R1.FSP.
These are the parameters: period X, period Y, UD cycle, and depth. When we change the parameter on the ZMAX side, the parameter changes on the numerical side. This is our surface 2: a diffractive grating.
The Z position of this one is 0, and Y is - 5. For the second one, I mean the second one is a 2D grating. I can change the variable here. If I right-click on the top, select edit object, I can change the period X, period Y, radius, slab index, etc.
Now, in the ZMAX side, we have a 1D grating, a 2D grating, and our source. We use the ellipse source. This is our detector. We are working on non-sequential mode. In the next step, we want to see the results. We determine our source and our detector.
For the parameters that we simulate, we changed the 2D grating. Let's run this simulation and then discuss the result. In the detector viewer, we can see the intensity distribution and the equation. At the peak, it's around 0.84 milliwatt per centimeter square. This is the total power.
We can increase the number of rays to see the more rays. Now, we can change the parameters. If you look at the peak power, it's the peak power now. Imagine that we want to change the parameter to, let's say, 0. 4. Run the simulation. In the back end, we have a numerical and then ray tracing.
We can use the data to calculate the reflection and transmission and then use those data in the ZMAX. I'm waiting for the results. The results are almost finished. If you look at the result in the peak radiance and the total power, it's a different value.
It shows that we can optimize the 1D and 2D grating. I hope you enjoyed this video. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below. If you have any questions, please send an email to us. We will try to answer them in the next video. Thanks.
