Understanding the ZBF File in Zemax Optical Studio
In this video, I will introduce how to understand the ZBF file in Zemax Optical Studio, which describes the laser propagation process.
Overview of the Laser Propagation Model
The laser propagation model involves different locations defined in the Zemax sequential mode. The ZBF file is essential as it tracks each position and presents the laser illumination distribution and phase distribution.
Using the ZBF File
The ZBF file can be accessed from the analysis and beam file viewer. It is user-friendly and provides various functionalities:
- View the beam profile at specific positions.
- Display the X and Y axes representing coordinate values.
- Select between irradiance and phase distribution.
- Switch between linear and logarithmic scales.
Surface Analysis
In this system, six surfaces are defined and listed in the ZBF list in Zemax. You can:
- Change to a linear scale.
- Select different surfaces (e.g., surface one, surface two, etc.).
- Observe changes in scale across different surfaces.
It is important to note the scale for each surface.
Key Information Displayed by the ZBF File
The ZBF file also displays critical information such as:
- X and Y height
- Peak irradiance
- Total power on a certain surface during laser propagation
POP Tab Functionality
The POP tab, accessible from the beam file viewer, allows you to:
- Trace the beam, irradiance, and phase.
- View numbers for irradiance and phase in the image plane.
- Save the ZBF file to your local drive.
You can define the ZBF file name and save all surfaces to a location within your Zemax folder under documents, POP, and beam files.
Importing ZBF Files
If you want to import a ZBF file generated from other software like Lumerical, you can:
- Place the ZBF file into the specified folder.
- Find the file from the drag list in Zemax.
That's the basic introduction to the ZBF file. Thank you for watching.
In this video, I will present and introduce how to understand the ZBF file in Zemax Optical Studio, which describes the laser propagation process. This is a laser propagation model with different locations defined in Zemax sequential mode.
The ZBF file can track each position and present the laser illumination and phase distribution. To open the ZBF file, go to Analysis and Beam File Viewer. The ZBF file is easy to use, and you can see the surface here, which displays a beam profile at a certain position.
The X and Y axes present the coordinate value. You can select irradiance or phase distribution. In this system, six surfaces have been defined. You can change to a linear scale and switch to any surface. For example, Surface 1 shows a different irradiance. The scale changes with each surface.
The ZBF file also displays critical key information, such as X and Y height, peak irradiance, and total power on a certain surface during laser propagation. The POP tab, launched on the side of the Beam File Viewer, can trace the beam, irradiance, and phase.
However, it only shows numbers in the image play. The POP tab can save the ZBF file to the local drive, which can be used to define the ZBF file name. When you click to save, all surfaces can be found or saved at the location from your Zemax folder, document, and beam files.
To import a ZBF file generated from other software, such as Lumerical, pull the ZBF into this folder and find the file from the drag list. That's the basic introduction of the ZBF file. Thank you.
