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Analysis Technologies
The principles and applications of each method, including FDTD, RCWA, FDE, CHARGE and HEAT. Analysis methods sit at a different level from products: start from the engineering question, choose the method, and arrive at the product that provides it.
Engineering questionAnalysis methodSupporting products
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Each method is delivered as a capability of the corresponding product. Where a method has its own explanatory page, the method name links to it.
Rigorous solutions for structures on the scale of a wavelength.
Identifying modes, and evaluating propagation over long distances.
Evaluating optical systems with rays and with waves.
Sequential Ray Tracing →Non-Sequential Ray Tracing →Physical Optics Propagation (POP) →Polarization Analysis →
Bringing a design closer to its target performance.
Evaluating optical performance: imaging quality, wavefront, MTF and stray light.
Image Quality Analysis →MTF →Wavefront Analysis →Stray light analysis →
Analyzing carrier transport and electrical characteristics, and the electronic and optical properties of quantum wells.
Analyzing the temperature distribution produced by heat generation and conduction.
How to choose a method
Common questions, with the methods and products that usually apply. The best choice depends on the individual structure and conditions.
| What you need to solve | Analysis method | Supporting products |
|---|---|---|
| Obtain rigorous characteristics for a single component | FDTD | Lumerical FDTD |
| Solve periodic structures and diffraction gratings | RCWA | Lumerical FDTD |
| Evaluate reflection and transmission in a multilayer stack | STACK | Lumerical FDTD |
| Find the modes of a waveguide | FDE | Lumerical MODE |
| Evaluate long-distance waveguide propagation efficiently | EME | Lumerical MODE |
| Analyze a planar PIC efficiently in 2.5D | varFDTD | Lumerical MODE |
| Evaluate carrier transport and electrical characteristics | CHARGE | Lumerical Multiphysics |
| Obtain band structure, gain and spontaneous emission for a quantum well | MQW | Lumerical Multiphysics |
| Evaluate temperature distribution and heat transport | HEAT | Lumerical Multiphysics |
| Design and evaluate an imaging system | Sequential Ray Tracing / Tolerance analysis | Zemax OpticStudio |
Supporting products
The analysis methods described here are implemented in the individual Ansys Lumerical and Zemax OpticStudio products. Evaluation of a whole circuit or link is handled on the product side by Lumerical INTERCONNECT. See Products for how the products are structured and how they relate.
Solutions
We also publish analysis workflows for particular design targets, including metalenses, silicon photonics and LiDAR.
Technical Information
Method explanations and worked setup examples are published under Technical Information.
Tell us what you want to evaluate and the quantity you need. We can advise from the choice of method onwards.