Photon Engineering

A new technical support video has been posted to the knowledge base.  This video discusses how to assign an importance sample specification to multiple surfaces at once using FRED’s scripting language.

A new technical support video has been posted to the knowledge base.  This video discusses how to use FRED’s ray buffers to calculate the ray distribution on a surface that rays have intersected during the raytrace.

In the inaugural video of the FRED Technical Support series, Ryan discusses how to calculate the irradiance on a cylindrical surface. The example used is the absorbing edge of a FRED lens element construct. Weekly videos will be posted to both the Photon Engineering website and the FRED Knowledge Base.

#01 – Technical Support Series from Ryan Irvin on Vimeo.

The FRED v9.110 New Features Webinar was a tremendous success and Photon Engineering would like to thank everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to participate!

For those who were unable to make either of the scheduled webinars, we have posted the full video below.

FRED 9.110 Webinar from Ryan Irvin on Vimeo.

Are you a university professor, student or member of a dedicated university research group?  Photon Engineering proudly makes its FRED Optical Engineering Software available for student use in the classroom and for thesis/dissertation work.  Additionally, university researchers may be entitled to discounts on software licenses.  Contact us today to find out more about how the FRED Optical Engineering Software can support your efforts in education and research!

Photon Engineering invites you to attend a FREE Webinar Monday, November 15, 2010 showcasing the new and exciting features in FRED version 9.110 with a sneak preview of some features currently in development.

Some of the features that will be demonstrated are:

• 13 new element primitive solids
• IES Source Import
• Improved raytrace intersection algorithm
• Sneak peak at features currently in development

Please join us November 15, 2010 for this Webinar presented by Richard Pfisterer, President of Photon Engineering. There will be two sessions, lasting no more than 1/2 hour each,  scheduled for 6:00 AM and 1:00 PM MST. Please click one of the two links below to register for the time slot that suits you best.

Date: Monday, November 15, 2010 Time:6:00 AM – 6:30 AM MST

Reserve your seat for the 6:00 AM webinar at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/111586273

Time: 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM MST

Reserve your seat for the 1:00 PM webinar at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/922828729

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements:

PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

FRED v9.110 was officially released on October 15, 2010 and contains some exciting new features that we believe make FRED more functional and easier to use.  Brief descriptions of these new features are provided below:

Element Primitives

Element Primitives are commonly used geometries which can be created and modified through a single dialog in the graphical user interface (GUI).  Each geometry is completely specified through a minimal set of parameters unique to the element primitive type, and bulk properties can be conveniently assigned to the primitive from the single dialog interface.  The following solids can be created as Element Primitives:

IES Source Import

Detailed optical sources can now be automatically created from an IES file according to the ANSI/IESNA LM-63-2002 format.  Source ray positions are random volume with dimensions equal to the luminous opening, ray directions are generated randomly according to the intensity distribution and the total power is specified in Lumens.

Ray Direction – Randomly according to intensity distribution

A new ray direction specification has been added in support of the IES Source Import feature.  This ray direction generates ray directions randomly according to an intensity distribution in polar-azimuthal coordinates.  The intensity distribution can be read from a file, entered manually or digitized from a plot.

Improved Raytrace Intersection Algorithms

New raytrace intersection algorithms are being used for surfaces of revolution and tabulated cylinders whose generatrix curve is a segmented curve type.  Benchmarks for the new algorithm show factors up to 100X speed improvement, with more benefit being gained the larger the number of segments in the generatrix curve.  This new algorithm is especially useful for reflector design, where these curves and surface types are commonly used.

Realized Lumens Output

For sources whose power units are specified as Lumens, the real photometric power of the source (Realized Lumens) calculated by including the source wavelengths is printed to the output window at the time of source creation.  This serves as an indicator of the accuracy of the wavelengths being generated during source creation.

For a more complete description of the new features in this release, please read the attached PDF document.

Photon Engineering is proud to announce that FRED v9.70 is officially released for download.  Major upgrades to this release include:

• 64-bit architecture [FRED Optimum only]
• Enhanced BASIC scripting language interactive development environment
• Source power unit specification in explicit photometric or radiometric units
• New photometric analyses including illuminance and luminous intensity
• User-definable detector response functions
• Interchangeable material absorption units
• Automatic power scaling of imported raysets
• 60+ new scripting commands

Dr. Koshel is a leader and innovator in the optical engineering community, specifically in the fields of illumination and non-imaging optics.  In addition to his position as the VP of Consulting at Photon Engineering, LLC., Dr. Koshel is also an adjunct professor at the University of Arizona’s Optical Sciences Center where he teaches courses on Illumination Engineering and Radiometry, Sources and Detectors.  His responsibilities also extend to leadership positions in professional societies, including the OSA, SPIE and IESNA.  His extensive authorship reflects his interest in both historical and current developments in optical engineering as well has his dedication to mentoring the next generation of professional engineers.

Publications

• R. J. Koshel, editor, Advanced Nonimaging/Illumination Optics, contract signed, to be published late 2010, author of three chapters, Wiley.
• A. V. Arecchi, T. Messadi, and R. J. Koshel, Field Guide to Illumination (SPIE Press, Bellingham, WA, 2007).
• A. Gupta and R. J. Koshel, “Lighting and Applications,” Handbook of Optics Volume II (McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, 2009).
• B. Yang, Y Yang, Y. Liu, J. Sasian, and R. J. Koshel, “Efficient ray-tracing for free-form reflectors,” Optik 120,40 (2007).
• R. J. Koshel, “Optimization of parameterized lightpipes,” published in SPIE Proc. of the Intl. Opt. Des. Conf. 2006 6342, 63420P (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2006).
• W. J. Smith, E. Betensky, D. Williamson, J. C. Miñano, and R. J. Koshel, “The past, present, and future of optical design,” published in SPIE Proc. of the Intl. Opt. Des. Conf. 2006 6342, 63422Y (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2006).
• R. J. Koshel, “Simplex optimization method for illumination system design,” Opt. Lett. 30, 649 (2005).
• R. J. Koshel and I. A. Walmsley, “Non-edge ray design: improved optical pumping of lasers,” Opt. Eng. 43, 1511 (2004).
• R. J. Koshel, “Illumination engineering,” Opt. Eng. 43, 1478 (2004).
• R. J. Koshel, “Enhancement of the downhill Simplex method of optimization,” SPIE Proc. of the Intl. Opt. Des. Conf. 2002 4832, 270 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2002).
• A. Gupta, J. Lee, and R. J. Koshel, “Design of efficient lightpipes for illumination using an analytical approach,” Appl. Opt. 40, 3640 (2001).
• R. J. Koshel and I. A. Walmsley, “Optimal Design of Optically Side-Pumped Lasers,” IEEE Jnl. of Quantum Electron. 33, 94 (1997).
• R. J. Koshel, I. A. Walmsley, R. Utano, and D. Caffey, “Diode side pumping of a Nd:YAG laser rod with nonimaging optics,” OSA Proceedings of the International Optical Design Conference (Optical Society of America, Washington, D. C., 1994) p. 304.
• R. J. Koshel and I. A. Walmsley, “Modeling of the gain distribution for diode pumping of a solid-state laser rod with nonimaging optics,” Appl. Opt. 32, 1517 (1993).
• M. M. Hayhoe, M. E. Levin, and R. J. Koshel, “Subtractive processes in light adaptation,” Vis. Res. 32, 323 (1992).
• C. G. Blough, et. al., “Effects of axial and radial gradients on Cooke Triplets,” Appl. Opt. 29, 4008 (1990).
• R. J. Koshel, “Perturbation design of illumination optics,” to be published in SPIE Proc. of IODC 2010 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2010).
• R. J. Koshel, “SSL design with LED binning tolerances,” SPIE Proc. of Illumination Optics 7103, 710303 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2008).
• R. J. Koshel, “Fractional optimization of illumination optics,” SPIE Proc. of Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization XI 7061, 70610F (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2008).
• R. J. Koshel, “Software conquers design and analysis of backlit LCDs,” Las. Foc. World (October 2007).
• R. J. Koshel, “Illumination system tolerancing,” SPIE Proc. of Optical System Alignment and Tolerancing I 6676, 667604 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2007).
• R. J. Koshel, “Why illumination engineering?” SPIE Proc. of Nonimaging Optics and Efficient Illumination Systems IV 6670, 667002 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2007).
• R. J. Koshel, “A course in illumination engineering,” SPIE Proc. of Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization X 6668, 66680F (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2007).
• A. Kano, R. J. Koshel, and A. F. Gmitro, “Broadband endoscopic imaging through a single fiberoptic channel,” SPIE Proc. of Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization X 6668, 666806 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2007).
• E. C. Kintner, W. K. Wong, E. S. Jacobs, P. J. Cucchiaro, and R. J. Koshel, “Efficient and versatile internal reference sources for remote sensing space telescopes,” SPIE Proc. of Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing XIV 6297, 62970FG (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2006).
• Groot Gregory and R. J. Koshel, “Modeling the operating conditions of solar concentrator systems,” SPIE Proc. of Photonics Europe 6197, 61970J (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2006).
• R. J. Koshel, C. Walker, and J, Briggs, “Education events at Frontiers in Optics 2005,” Opt. Phot. News 17, 16 (January 2006).
• G. Groot Gregory and R. J. Koshel, “Using software interoperability to achieve a virtual design environment,” SPIE Proc. of Optical Design and Engineering II 5962, 59620A (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2005).
• R. J. Koshel, “Lit-appearance modeling uses ray tracing and visualization,” Las. Foc. World, 71 (May 2005).
• R. J. Koshel and A. Gupta, “Characterization of lightpipes for efficient transfer of light,” SPIE Proc. of Nonimaging Optics and Efficient Illumination Systems II 5942, 594205 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2005).
• R. J. Koshel, “Aspects of illumination system optimization,” SPIE Proc. of Nonimaging Optics and Efficient Illumination Systems I 5529, 206 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2004).
• R. J. Koshel, “Optimal simplex optimization for optical design,” SPIE Proc. of Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization VII 5524, 205 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2004).
• M. S. Kaminski and R. J. Koshel, “Methods of tolerancing injection-molded parts for illumination systems,” SPIE Proc. of Efficient Illumination System Design 5186, 61 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2003).
• R. J. Koshel, “Lit appearance modeling of illumination systems,” SPIE Proc. of Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization V 4768, 65 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2002).
• M. S. Kaminski, K. J. Garcia, M. A. Stevenson, M. Frate, and R. J. Koshel, “Advanced topics in source modeling,” SPIE Proc. of Source Modeling I 4775, 46 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2002).
• M. A. Stevenson, M. S. Kaminski, M. Frate, and R. J. Koshel, “Modeling filament-based sources for system tolerancing,” SPIE Proc. of Source Modeling I 4775, 67 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2002).
• A. Gupta, J. Lee, and R. J. Koshel, “Lightpipe Design,” Optics in 2001, Opt. and Phot. News 12, No. 12, 53 (2001).
• R. J. Koshel and E. R. Freniere, “Illumination: lighting our lives,” Introduction to Illumination Special Issue, Opt. and Phot. News 12, No. 8, (August 2001).
• B. Cassarly, D. Jenkins, A. Gupta, and R. J. Koshel, “Hidden devices that light our world: lightpipes,” Opt. and Phot. News 12, No. 8, 34 (August 2001).
• R. J. Koshel, “Intracavity beam shaping,” SPIE Proceedings of Laser Beam Shaping II 4443, 47 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, August 2001).
• R. S. Upton and R. J. Koshel, “Modeling coherent propagation aids accurate coupling,” WDM Solutions, 73 (June 2001).
• R. J. Koshel, “Traffic lights must meet strict standards,” Laser Focus World (October 2000).
• R. J. Koshel, “Non-edge ray reflector design (NERD) for illumination systems,” SPIE Proceedings of Novel Optical Systems Designs and Optimization II 4092, 71 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 2000).
• J. Shiefman and R. J. Koshel, “Modeling predicts WDM source performance,” WDM Solutions, 19 (February 2000).
• R. J. Koshel, “Tailored pump reflectors for lasers: a new conformal optics application,” Laser Focus World (July, 1999).
• R. J. Koshel, “Information Technology for Education,” Opt. and Phot. News 10, No. 4 (April 1999).
• R. Trebino and R. J. Koshel, “Encyclopedia Optica,” Opt. and Phot. News 10, No. 3 (March 1999).
• R. J. Koshel, “My First Year as a Professor,” Opt. and Phot. News 9, No. 10, 43 (Oct. 1998).
• R. J. Koshel, Guest Editor, “Optics Education: The Past Leading to the Future”, Opt. and Phot. News 9, No. 9, 17 (September 1998).
• R. J. Koshel, “Optics for the Fish II,” Opt. and Phot. News 9, No. 5, 63 (May 1998).
• R. J. Koshel, “Book Review: The Art and Science of Optical Design,” Opt. and Phot. News 9, No. 4, 54 (April 1998).
• R. J. Koshel, “Optics for the Fish I,” Opt. and Phot. News 9, No. 4, 50 (April 1998).
• R. J. Koshel, “Reach Out,” Opt. and Phot. News 9, No. 2, 73 (February 1998).
• R. J. Koshel, “Optics for the Fish,” Proceedings of the Forum on Education, OSA Annual Meeting 1997, Long Beach, CA (Optical Society of America, Washington, D. C., 1997).
• R. J. Koshel, “Career planning and education events at the annual meeting,” Opt. and Phot. News 8, No. 9, 53 (September 1997).
• R. J. Koshel, “Wiring the educational experience,” Opt. and Phot. News 8, No. 5, 64 (May 1997).
• R. J. Koshel, “Book Review: Geometrical Optics and Optical Design,” Opt. and Phot. News 8, No. 5, 66 (May 1997).
• R. J. Koshel, “Electronic Job Search,” Opt. and Phot. News 8, No. 4, 47 (April 1997).
• R. J. Koshel, “Book Review: Solid-State Laser Engineering, 4th Ed.,” Opt. and Phot. News 7, No. 7, 53 (1996).
• R. J. Koshel and I. A. Walmsley, “Modulating Light,” Opt. and Phot. News 7, No. 6, 54 (June 1996).
• R. J. Koshel, “Book Review: Laser Experiments for Beginners,” Opt. and Phot. News 6, No. 9 (September 1995).
• J. Koshel, “Future Shock: Controlling Your Career,” Opt. and Phot. News 6, No. 7, 51 (July 1995).
• R. J. Koshel, “Expansion of the Forum on Education,” Opt. and Phot. News 6, No. 4 (April 1995).
• I. A. Walmsley and R. J. Koshel, Manual For SeidelPlot (Optical Society of America; Washington, D. C., 1995).
• R. J. Koshel, “Optics Online in the Classroom,” Opt. and Phot. News 5, No. 4, 39 (April 1994).
• V. Wong, R. J. Koshel, M. Beck, and I. A. Walmsley, “Measurement of the amplitude and phase of pulses from passively mode-locked lasers,” SPIE Proceedings of OE/Lase 93: Ultrafast Pulse Generation and Spectroscopy 1861, 137 (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, Bellingham, WA, 1993).

Dr. Miller is an expert in coherent systems design and analysis and teaches Photon Engineering’s three day advanced FRED tutorial on Coherence in Optical Engineering.  After receiving his Ph.D. in non-linear optics and laser systems from the University of North Texas, Steven worked in the fields of laser countermeasures, optical sensor systems, DLP performance modeling, stray light analysis and laser damage modeling for Texas Instruments, Raytheon Missile Systems and Ball Aerospace before his most recent position with Photon Engineering as a consultant and product support specialist.

Publications

• E.W. VanStryland, Steven A. Miller, and B.S. Wherrett, Nonlinear Transmission of Semiconductor Thin Films, SPIE  Vol 794, p. 262, (1987
• E.W. VanStryland, Steven A. Miller, Milton A. Woddall, and B.S. Wherrett, Two-photon absorption induced transmission changes in ZnSe interference filters, JOSA B Vol 5 No.6 p.1289 (June 1988)
• Raytracing Meets Maxwell’s Equations: Integration of Micro- and Macro Optical Design, Published in Dec 2005, Photonik Magazine