FRED
FRED is a comprehensive tool that simulates the propagation of light through optomechanical systems using ray tracing. It supports both coherent and incoherent light propagation and allows users to assign realistic surface properties to every component in a system. Key features include fast and accurate simulation of various light sources, such as lasers, arc lamps, LEDs, ideal emitters, bulbs, and user-defined ray sets. The software offers advanced geometry, scatter, optimization, scripting, and graphic tools, along with fine-grain control of ray trace properties during simulations. It provides comprehensive post-trace analysis features and reports, real-time visualization and editing of complex optical and mechanical systems, and is highly extensible via user-defined scripts. FRED provides core capabilities for propagating light through optomechanical systems.
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Ansys Zemax OpticStudio
Ansys Zemax OpticStudio is a comprehensive optical design software utilized globally by companies and universities to create and analyze optical systems, including imaging, illumination, and laser systems. It offers a user-friendly interface that integrates analysis, optimization, and tolerancing tools, facilitating the design of complex optical systems for a wide range of applications. The software supports both sequential and non-sequential ray tracing, enabling precise modeling of light propagation through various optical components. Advanced features include structural and thermal analysis, allowing users to assess the impact of environmental factors on optical performance. OpticStudio also provides extensive materials and optical element libraries, enhancing the accuracy of simulations. For students, Ansys offers a free version of OpticStudio, providing hands-on experience in designing and analyzing optical systems, thereby preparing them for future careers in optics.
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LightTools
LightTools is a comprehensive 3D optical engineering and design software that supports virtual prototyping, simulation, optimization, and photorealistic renderings of illumination applications. It enables users to quickly create illumination designs that work right the first time, reducing prototype iterations and accelerating time to market. Key features include sophisticated solid modeling with full optical accuracy, state-of-the-art ray tracing speed with user-controlled accuracy and resolution, and the ability to create light sources from any geometric model for unlimited flexibility. LightTools offers application-specific utilities to help users quickly build complete models, extensive source and materials libraries, including LEDs and BSDF measurements, and robust data exchange support for mechanical CAD data. The software provides an interactive, dynamic link with SOLIDWORKS and includes multiple modules that can be licensed in various configurations to best match user needs.
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TracePro
Combines Monte Carlo ray tracing, analysis, CAD import/export, and optimization methods with a complete and robust macro language to solve a wide variety of problems in illumination design and optical analysis. Using TracePro’s user-friendly, 3D CAD interface you can create TracePro models by importing lens design or CAD files, or by directly creating solid geometry. TracePro uses a true solid modeling engine to ensure consistent and robust models. TracePro’s ray tracing engine is fast and accurate. Exact ray tracing to all surfaces even imported splines ‒ no missed intersections or “leaky” rays. Analysis Mode ray tracing, unique to TracePro, is a very powerful capability that creates an interactive environment. With Analysis Mode you can analyze every surface and object both visually and quantitatively.
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