Publications

Virtual Prototyping of nanostructures

Solar panels offer the possibility of harvesting an almost limitless electromagnetic energy radiated from the sun. However, widespread commercial deployment requires that greater conversion efficiencies can be attained at cheaper cost thaan that available with current solar cell technologies. New nanophotonic materials and technologies coupled with advanced simulation software based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique offer great promise to overcome these challenges. (English)

Laser+Photonik 4/2008, p. 42 - 45.
Download: laserphotonik200804eng.pdf [888 KB]

Abstract: Creating personalized eye models helps to design ophthalmic optics and instrumentation, to simulate ailments or surgery induced changes, or answer vision research questions. The many aspects to this that have to be considered in biological systems are presented in the following article. (German)

BioPhotonik 2008, p. 28 - 31.
Download: photonik2008b28.pdf [2.563 KB]

Straylight Analysis in Imaging Optics

Abstract: Imaging systems that have been developed with lens design programs are often not suitable for real-world applications. Light scattering at the mechanical and optical surfaces, as well as multiple reflections, often deteriorate image quality to an extent that system specifications are no longer met. If one carries out a stray light analysis early enough, measures to improve stray light performance can be smoothly integrated into the design process. (English)

Laser+Photonik 5/2007, p. 18 - 22.
Download: laserphotonik200705eng.pdf [1.170 KB]

Abstract: The human skin “looks so simple” - yet it is highly complex as an optical system. Modelling the human skin in the computer requires software that can describe the geometrical structure as well as its absorption and scattering characteristics correctly. In order to take the variability of the skin characteristics into account, such a computer model should be parameterizable. The “Realistic Skin Model” of the Breault Research Organization enables the implementation of virtual prototypes of optical devices for the diagnosis and therapy of the skin. (German)

Photonik 3/2007, p. 60-63.
Download: photonik20070360.pdf [485 KB]

Abstract: For virtual prototyping in the industry, non-sequential ray tracers are becoming mire and more common. They can do much more, howevere: they enable detailed analyses of optical systems and thus help to understand their characteristics and behaviour. This is usually the basis for a target-oriented optimisation. Ray tracing with advanced software features, controlled and creatively utilised by the user, can lower the computing time by many orders of magnitude, and thus for the first time makes certain problems accessible to optics simulation. (English)

Photonik International 2007, p. 52 - 54.
Download: photonikintl2007052.pdf [278 KB]

Abstract: Für virtuelles Prototyping werden in der Industrie zunehmend nichtsequenzielle Raytracer eingesetzt. Diese können jedoch viel mehr: sie ermöglichen detaillierte Analysen optischer Systeme und helfen so, deren Eigenschaften zu verstehen. Dies ist meist die Grundlage für eine zielstrebige Optimierung. Vom Benutzer kreativ eingesetztes und kontrolliertes Raytracing mit speziellen Software-Möglichkeiten kann die Rechenzeit um viele Größenordnungen senken und macht so gewisse Problemstellungen erst zugänglich für die Optiksimulation. (German)

Photonik 3/2006, S. 56 - 59.
Download: photonik20060356.pdf [452 KB]

Integrating micro- and macro-optical design

Abstract: Advances in technology have always presented product developers with unique challenges. This is particularly true in the optics industry, for example in the task of integrating micro-scale optical components into marketable products. While designers have at their disposal a wide range of sophisticated software tools, no single software package can operate in both the macroscopic realm of system design and in the microscopic realm of wavelength-scale devices. This article will introduce both approaches – microscopic and macroscopic – for the reader to understand their mutual strengths and limitations. Critical aspects of the interoperability of these complementary tools will be discussed along with several application examples. (English)

Photonik International 2006, p. 76-79.
Download: asapfdtdphotonik20050640.pdf [847 KB]

Simulation Licht streuender Materialien mit ASAP

Abstract: Eine Raytracing-Software simuliert die Lichtausbreitung in biologischem Gewebe und anderen streuenden Materialien. Sie hilft bei der Optikentwicklung biomedizinischer Geräte. (German)

Laser+Photonik 5/2005, S. 38 - 41.
Download: asapbiomedlaserphotonik505.pdf [909 KB]

Über die Integration von mikrooptischem und makrooptischem Design.

Abstract: Technische Fortschritte haben Produktentwickler schon immer vor neue Herausforderungen gestellt. Dies gilt insbesondere für die optische Industrie, z.B. bei der Aufgabe, mikrooptische Komponenten in marktfähige Produkte zu integrieren. Während Optikentwicklern viele hoch entwickelte Software-Werkzeuge zur Verfügung stehen, gibt es bisher kein einzelnes Software-Paket, das sowohl im makroskopischen Bereich des Systemdesigns arbeiten kann, als auch im mikroskopischen Bereich von Baugruppen in der Größenordnung von Wellenlängen. Dieser Fachaufsatz stellt jeden der beiden Ansätze vor - mikroskopisch und makroskopisch - um ein Verständnis für die Stärken und Grenzen der jeweiligen Software zu vermitteln. In verschiedenen Anwendungsbeispielen wird kritisch diskutiert, wie die komplementären Werkzeuge zusammenarbeiten. (German)

Photonik 6/2005, S. 40-43.
Download: asapfdtdphotonik20050640.pdf [849 KB]