Optical Research Associates has released the latest version of its Code V optical design software, which provides faster optimisation of complex optical systems by taking full advantage of parallel processing on multicore architecture CPUs.
In particular, both of its local and global optimisation routines in the release of Code V 10.0 are now enabled for multi-core operation. Optical designers can solve the most complex lens design problems in a fraction of the time needed using a single processor.
Code V 10.0 also offers improved accuracy and ease of use for diffraction analysis. Its new Beam Synthesis Propagation (BSP) feature uses a beamlet-based, diffraction propagation algorithm to include diffraction effects through the entire optical system design. BSP delivers greater accuracy than using exit-pupil diffraction computations, or beam propagation based on FFT or angular spectrum methods. Systems with astigmatic beams, polarised input optical fields, low f-numbers (e.g., microlithography lenses), or non-contiguous pupils are accurately analysed with BSP. The feature is also useful for near-field diffraction analysis and for optical systems where the amplitude or phase is modified near the focus, such as with a grating, phase plate, or spatial filter. Determining appropriate inputs for any beam propagation algorithm can be challenging, but BSP solves this by including a pre-analysis feature, which automatically provides appropriate input recommendations for a specific lens system, including input field sampling, resampling and output grid characteristics. Using pre-analysis, BSP will also estimate an execution run time for your lens system.
In addition, Code V 10.0 delivers expanded language options with the introduction of French and German versions of its user interface.