Zemax Explained

Zemax is a software program used for designing and simulating optical systems. It is widely used in the field of optics and photonics for designing and analyzing the performance of lenses, cameras, telescopes, microscopes, and other optical systems. With the software, the behavior of light interacting with various optical components can be modelled, and optical designs can be optimized for desired performance.

History

The original tool was created by Ken Moore as the first optical design program specifically developed for Microsoft Windows. It was introduced in 1990 and was initially called “Max” after the programmer’s dog. The name was later changed to Zemax due to a trademark conflict. The software was initially sold by Focus Software, which later became Zemax Development Corp.

In 2011, Evergreen Pacific Partners merged Zemax Development Corp with Radiant Imaging to form Radiant Zemax. Under Evergreen, the Zemax software was re-architected under the .NET framework to provide an updated user interface and user experience. The rearchitected version was renamed OpticStudio and was launched in 2014. One of the key new features of OpticStudio was the inclusion of a comprehensive application programming interface (ZOS-API) to support software customization and automation from a variety of .NET languages (including MATLAB and Python).

In 2014, Evergreen also sold the Zemax business to Arlington Capital Partners, which renamed the company Zemax, LLC. Arlington Capital Partners then sold Zemax, LLC to EQT Partners in 2018.

On August 31, 2021, it was announced that Ansys had acquired Zemax, LLC. Zemax OpticStudio was subsequently re-branded as Ansys Zemax OpticStudio under Ansys ownership.

Ansys Zemax OpticStudio is part of the Ansys Optics product collection, which also includes products from Ansys Lumerical and Ansys Speos. The Ansys Optics solution provides the capability of simulating the behavior and propagation of light through optical and optically enabled products from the nano- to the macro- level, allowing for integrated modeling and co-simulation that enables the accurate and robust design of such products. Ansys Optics allows optical products to be visualized before they exist.

Features and applications

• Ansys Zemax OpticStudio is used for designing, analyzing, and tolerancing the components that go into high precision optical systems, such as those included in consumer electronics and automotive camera modules, medical endoscopes, or mixed reality headsets. It employs geometric ray tracing, a technique for modeling the propagation of light through an optical system by assuming that wavelength of light is much smaller than the components in the system and thus that the light can be treated as pencil-thin rays.
• Ansys Zemax OpticStudio can perform both sequential and non-sequential ray tracing. Sequential ray tracing is generally used to design the “ideal” optical system while non-sequential ray tracing is used to model the full system in 3D for understanding the impact of mechanical geometries or other 3D effects on system performance.
• Ansys Zemax OpticStudio can model various optical elements, including spherical lenses, aspheric lenses, gradient-index lenses, mirrors, and diffractive optical elements. It also allows the modelling of optical coatings on component surfaces.
• Ansys Zemax OpticStudio provides various analysis tools, including standard analysis diagrams like spot diagrams and ray-fan plots. Advanced analysis tools are also available for evaluating the performance of systems for specific applications.  
• Ansys Zemax OpticStudio includes optimization tools that can automatically adjust optical system parameters to enhance performance and minimize aberrations. This feature is particularly valuable for improving initial lens designs. These tools support both local and global optimization algorithms.
• Tolerancing capabilities in Ansys Zemax OpticStudio enable the analysis of the impact of manufacturing defects and assembly errors on optical systems.
• The Physical Optics Propagation feature in Ansys Zemax OpticStudio is useful for modelling systems where coherent diffraction plays a significant role, such as simulating the propagation of laser beams and coupling light into single-mode optical fibers. This tool leverages both geometric ray tracing and wave optics.

In summary, Ansys Zemax OpticStudio is a comprehensive optical design software used for the design and analysis of a wide range of optical systems.

Ansys Zemax OpticStudio is widely used in industries such as aerospace, defense, consumer electronics, medical devices, and more, where precise optical performance is critical. The software has evolved over the years with updates and improvements to keep up with the demands of the optical design community.