Optical Modeling Software for Refraction, Focusing & Wavelength Dependence

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    Modeling Optical
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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on finding optical modeling software suitable for simulating the path of light through various vessels containing water, specifically addressing refraction, focusing, and wavelength dependence. Participants share their experiences and recommendations for software that can accommodate the properties of different glass compositions and the medium of water.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Soren Eustis seeks recommendations for optical modeling software that can handle the properties of glass containers and water, emphasizing the need for features related to refraction and wavelength dependence.
  • One participant suggests Zemax as a standard optical ray tracing program, providing a link for further information.
  • Another participant mentions KDP-2 by Jim Klein as a potentially free option, although they have not personally used it.
  • A third participant points out a free version of OSLO, noting its limitations but suggesting it can perform similar functions to Zemax.
  • Another suggestion is made to look up ORA LightTools, though no further details are provided.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple software options without reaching a consensus on the best choice. There are varying opinions on the usability and features of the suggested programs.

Contextual Notes

Some software options mentioned have limitations, such as the free version of OSLO being restricted to 10 surfaces. The effectiveness of each software may depend on specific user needs and the complexity of the modeling required.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for researchers or practitioners in optics, physics, or engineering looking for software to model light behavior in different mediums and containers.

eustis26
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Greetings. I am attempting to model the path of light through different vessels containing water. For example, water in a test tube (pyrex), or water in a quartz cuvette. I am looking for a program which can handle the properties of the container (glass composition) and the medium (water). I am interested in the refraction, focusing, and wavelength dependence.

I welcome all suggestions for proper software for this purpose. I have a great deal of experience with ion optics software, but the optical modeling software is foreign to me.

Kind Regards,

Soren Eustis, Ph.D.
ETH - Zürich
 
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Welcome to Physics Forums.

From what I have heard, Zemax is a pretty standard optical ray tracing program: http://www.zemax.com/

Another option that (I thinkj) is free, is KDP-2 by Jim Klein: http://www.ecalculations.com/

I have not used either of these programs, I'm just going by what I have seen posted by others. It might also be useful to see what other discussions about Zemax have taken place at Physics Forums:
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=zema...=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=6f78d0ffc1b1e58c
 
There is also a freeversion of OSLO (http://www.lambdares.com/education/oslo_edu/ ) which is limited to 10 surfaces.
Not quite as pretty as zemax, but can do pretty much the same thing and you can't beat the price!
 
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Look up ORA LightTools.
 

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