Efficient BSDF Generation Using RSoft Photonic Device Tools : Tips and Tricks

Description

Nano-structures and gratings are becoming common in applications such as AR/VR and LEDS. Synopsys optical simulation tools are used to efficiently and accurately model these applications, which require both rigorous electromagnetic (EM) simulation and ray-tracing simulation.

An RSoft bidirectional scattering distribution function (BDSF) file characterizes the scattering properties of a nano-structured surface like a grating, describing diffracted light as a function of incident angle, wavelength, and polarization. RSoft BSDF files are calculated using the rigorous EM techniques in the RSoft Photonic Device Tools, and then used to define surfaces in LightTools that cannot be simulated via the geometric-optics approximation.

This tech talk covers several tips and tricks for the efficient calculation and use of RSoft BSDF data in LightTools -- from features available in the BSDF Utility for improved calculation speed to an example using Python scripts to automate the process.