Hybrid Simulation with CODE V and BeamPROP Ray Tracing Tools

Designing modern optical systems often requires multiple simulation techniques to accurately capture behavior across different physical scales. While ray tracing provides an efficient and accurate method for modeling conventional lens systems, its assumptions become less valid when optical structures approach the wavelength of light. In these cases, rigorous wave-optics methods such as the Beam Propagation Method (BPM) or Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulation are needed to accurately predict optical field behavior.

This application note demonstrates a hybrid simulation workflow that combines the strengths of ray tracing and wave-optics analysis using a lens-to-fiber coupling example. In the workflow, the lens system is modeled using ray tracing in CODE V's Ray Tracing Analysis (RTA), while optical propagation within the fiber is analyzed using RSoft BeamPROP BPM. The RSoft Raytracing Interface seamlessly transfers optical field data between the two simulation environments, converting proprietary file formats into inputs ready for RSoft simulation tools. Likewise, simulation results generated within RSoft can be exported into formats compatible with CODE V, enabling efficient bidirectional integration.

By leveraging the most appropriate numerical method for each portion of the optical system, engineers can achieve greater simulation accuracy without sacrificing computational efficiency. This hybrid approach allows designers to analyze complex optical assemblies spanning both geometric and wave-optics domains, optimize coupling performance, and reduce the need for costly physical prototyping.

The application note illustrates how integrated simulation workflows accelerate the design of advanced optical systems by combining complementary modeling techniques within a unified development process.