Primary Customer Contact
Lieven Pennick – PlanOpSim
Faculty Advisor
Professor John Bowen – University of Rochester, Institute of Optics
Abstract
The project requires an automated end-to-end design of a meta-lens-based optical system. The project is intended to solve the problem of the current optimization system not being able to optimize hybrid systems in an efficient way, which includes meta-lenses and normal lenses, at the same time. The goal is to create an automated workflow with meta-systems combining PlanOpSim software for nano-structure and meta-surface optimization, and OpticsStudio for system design in ray tracing. The project aims to design a “Master Script” controlling PlanOpSim and ray-tracer so that we can design and optimize a hybrid meta-lens + refractive lens system with one click.
About Company
Headquartered in Melle, Belgium, PlanOpSim supplies intuitive computer-aided design software and engineering services for planar optics, meta-lenses, and other metasurface components, helping researchers and product developers move seamlessly from nanostructure layout to full optical-system integration for advanced display, sensing, imaging, and lighting applications.
Vision
The project requires an automated end-to-end design of a meta-lens-based optical system. The project is intended to solve the problem of the current optimization system not being able to optimize hybrid systems in an efficient way, which includes meta-lenses and normal lenses, at the same time. The goal is to create an automated workflow with meta-systems combining PlanOpSim software for nano-structure and meta-surface optimization, and OpticsStudio for system design in ray tracing. The project aims to design a “Master Script” controlling PlanOpSim and ray-tracer so that we can design and optimize a hybrid meta-lens + refractive lens system with one click.
Background
The current hybrid systems are optimized by sequentially running a ray tracer and meta-surface design, so that designers are manually operating both programs for the hybrid system optimization. Under the situation of meta-surface design is available to automate via PlanOpSim software development kit (SDK), and the ray tracing programs like Zemax can be operated via script ZOS-API. There is a possibility to develop a master script that could control both PlanOpSim and ray-tracer, and the designer could optimize this hybrid system with just one click. The questions that arise with this project are as follows, requiring answers by the end of the project.
- What is PlanOpSim SDK?
This software development kit is a Python API that bypasses the frontend interface and allows the program to communicate directly with the same database and server. The SDK API for PlanOpSim requires Python 3.10.
- What is ZOS-API(Zemax OpticStudio – Application Programming Interface)
Zemax Optics Studio – Application Programming Interface provides a powerful way to customize Optics Studio and helps incorporate Optics Studio into advanced simulation programs like PlanOpSim
System Block Diagram
The flowchart showcases the desired outcome for the project. However, it is uncertain on the timeframe it takes to create a master script for embedding the two software together and understanding the optimization of the hybrid system.
System Design Process in Block Diagram
Final Report
Meet the Team!
- Farhan Ejaz
- Zongyuan Lu
- Tingxia Feng
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge our customer Lieven Penninck at PlanOpSim for his vision, technical guidance, and platform access; Professor John Bowen for steady academic mentorship; and Professor Wayne Knox, lecturer of our senior design course, for his continual guidance and support. We also thank the OPT 311 teaching staff and the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences for providing resources, and our classmates, friends, and families whose encouragement sustained us throughout this project.