What’s new in our Optical Modeling and Design Software?

Multimode fibers are an integral part of most optical communication technologies. For a sound modeling of such structures, accurate propagation of the fiber modes and their interference is necessary. In VirtualLab Fusion it is possible to use Bessel and Laguerre Polynomials to describe the fiber modes, for single-core fibers as well as graded-index ones. The resulting modes can then also be propagated while considering additional effects like e.g. atmospheric turbulence.

The new version 2021.1 provides our users with solutions for more applications. Also we come with a new workflow which enables a seamless transition from ray to full
physical-optics modeling. This way we simplify the usage of the amazing modeling features in VirtualLab Fusion.

One of the most widely recognized advantages of physical optics as a simulation technology is the breadth of information it can provide about a system. The vectorial nature of the electromagnetic field, and the very often complex effects that arise from it as the light propagates in a system, are no small part of this consideration. That is why in VirtualLab Fusion we always work with the full vector field information.

Below you can find some illustrative examples that showcase the potential of VirtualLab Fusion in situations specifically related to polarization and vectorial effects.

To accommodate the variety that naturally exists in personal preferences, as well as to cater to the different specifications of the computing hardware available to each of our users, VirtualLab Fusion provides tools to tailor its configuration to your individual circumstances. Below we demonstrate how to personalize two different groups of settings in the Global Options: on the one hand, those pertaining to the graphic display of data and general visualization; on the other, performance related parameters related to the specifications of the computer which is running VirtualLab Fusion.

Lenses are, among all optical components, probably the most widely used, and focusing of light is possibly the most typical task in optics. Although it can seem trivial, the behavior of light in a focal region can be complex and is therefore worthy of in-depth investigation. As an example, in the case of focusing with a high-NA objective lens, the focal spot is known to show asymmetry, and consideration of the vectorial nature of light turns out to be necessary. VirtualLab’s representation of light as an electromagnetic wave in a fully vectorial approach enables the analysis of these polarization-dependent effects in detail. Moreover, the properties of light in the focal region can be thoroughly investigated with the help of different detectors. In combination with the Parameter Run feature the field evolution through the focal region can be analyzed as well.

For the design of various optical components, like freeform surfaces, HOEs or DOEs, an important step in the workflow is the export of the generated data for subsequent manufacturing. In the examples below we show that VirtualLab Fusion can export fabrication data for smooth as well as for quantized surfaces in various different data formats, which are commonly used by manufacturing techniques like 3D printing, computer-aided manufacturing or lithographic exposure techniques.

Webinar | AR & MR Devices | 15 June 2021
Online Training | Getting Started | 21 – 22 June 2021 or 23 – 24 June 2021
Meetup | Cross-Topic | 14 July 2021

The modeling and design of modern optical systems, with their increased complexity, can benefit from the combination of multiple software tools. Especially for optimization and data processing a single software package often cannot provide all the necessary functionalities in all fields of interest. The batch mode of VirtualLab Fusion, when used alongside other software tools, enables precisely this type of cross-platform simulations. As examples, we demonstrate how to use Python and MATLAB to access the field solvers from VirtualLab Fusion, and to perform analysis and optimization tasks on that basis.