Op Ti Tools

OptiTools
Table of Contents
Table of Contents........................................................................................................1
OptiTools .....................................................................................................................9
Overlap Integral.........................................................................................................11
2D Overlap Integral ..................................................................................................14

3D Overlap Integral ..................................................................................................16
Gaussian Overlap Scanner ......................................................................................19
Overlap Integral Scanner..........................................................................................23
Overlap Integral 2D ..................................................................................................24

Overlap Integral 3D ..................................................................................................25
Multiple Fields ...........................................................................................................27
Multiple Fields (2D) dialog box.................................................................................28

Multiple Fields (3D) dialog box.................................................................................29
Multiple Fields—2D Mode Solver.............................................................................31
Notes ......................................................................................................................................32
Multiple Gaussians ...................................................................................................33
Notes ......................................................................................................................................36
Confinement Factor ..................................................................................................37
Notes ......................................................................................................................................42
Far Field .....................................................................................................................43
Fraunhofer approximation....................................................................................................43
Fresnel-Kirchhoff Diffraction Formula ................................................................................44
2D Far Field............................................................................................................................45
3D Far Field............................................................................................................................47
References .............................................................................................................................49
Mode 2D .....................................................................................................................51
Modes of Planar Waveguides...............................................................................................53
File menu................................................................................................................................54
Edit menu ...............................................................................................................................54
View menu..............................................................................................................................55
Simulation menu ...................................................................................................................55
Window menu ........................................................................................................................55
Simulation functions.............................................................................................................56
Global parameters....................................................................................................56
Edit Parameters .......................................................................................................57
Scan Parameters .....................................................................................................58
Which parameters can be scanned?........................................................................58
Output Data Files .....................................................................................................60
Calculate ..................................................................................................................61
Modes of Planar Waveguides—other functions .......................................................63
Correlation Function Method (CFM) ....................................................................................64
File menu................................................................................................................................65
Edit menu ...............................................................................................................................65
View menu..............................................................................................................................66
Simulation menu ...................................................................................................................66
Window menu ........................................................................................................................66
Simulation functions.............................................................................................................67
Global Parameters ...................................................................................................67

Edit Parameters .......................................................................................................71
Calculate ..................................................................................................................72
User Defined File ...................................................................................................................76

File menu................................................................................................................................77
Edit menu ...............................................................................................................................78
View menu..............................................................................................................................78
Simulation menu ...................................................................................................................78
Window menu ........................................................................................................................78
User Defined File dialog box ....................................................................................79
Notes: .....................................................................................................................................80
User Guide of View 2D..............................................................................................81
Graphic Engines....................................................................................................................82
User interface features .........................................................................................................83
Main menu bar .........................................................................................................84

Toolbars ...................................................................................................................85
Status bar.................................................................................................................85
Windows.................................................................................................................................86
Data browser............................................................................................................86
Info window ..............................................................................................................87
Edit data ...................................................................................................................88
Opti 2D Viewer menus and buttons.....................................................................................89
File menu .................................................................................................................89

Edit menu .................................................................................................................89
Curve menu..............................................................................................................90
View menu ...............................................................................................................90
Help menu................................................................................................................90
Opti 2D Viewer Graph toolbox .............................................................................................91
Opti 2D Viwer Graph toolbox ...................................................................................91

Graph tools...............................................................................................................92
Print and Export files ............................................................................................................94
Print..........................................................................................................................94
Export to EMF file.....................................................................................................95
Export to BMP file ....................................................................................................96
Copy.........................................................................................................................96
Mode 3D .....................................................................................................................97
File menu................................................................................................................................97
Edit menu ...............................................................................................................................98
View menu..............................................................................................................................98
Operations menu.................................................................................................................100
Simulation menu .................................................................................................................100
Draw Tool menu ..................................................................................................................101
Preferences menu ...............................................................................................................101
Layout Designer Dialog boxes of Mode Solver 3D ..........................................................103
Initial Data layout dialog box ..................................................................................105

Waveguide Profile layout dialog box ......................................................................107
Device Info layout dialog box .................................................................................108
Move Selection layout dialog box...........................................................................109
Layers Structure layout dialog box.........................................................................110
Wafer Data layout dialog box .................................................................................111
Initial Data layout dialog box ..................................................................................112
Settings tab ............................................................................................................114
Global Data: CFM Method layout dialog box .........................................................116
Edit Parameters dialog box ....................................................................................119
Scan Parameters layout dialog box .......................................................................120
Layout Settings layout dialog box.....................................................................................122
Waveguide Colors layout dialog box ................................................................................123
Notes: ...................................................................................................................................124
User Guide of View 3D............................................................................................125
Commands of View 3D........................................................................................................125

File menu ...............................................................................................................125
Edit menu ...............................................................................................................126
View menu............................................................................................................................127
Toolbars menu.....................................................................................................................127
Status Bar menu..................................................................................................................128
Settings menu......................................................................................................................131
Dialog boxes of View 3D.....................................................................................................133
Topography Properties dialog box .........................................................................133

Surface Properties dialog box ................................................................................134
Print Preferences dialog box ..................................................................................135
Colors Selection dialog box....................................................................................136
Palette Selection dialog box...................................................................................137
X-Axis dialog box ...................................................................................................138
Y-Axis dialog box ...................................................................................................139
Z-Axis dialog box....................................................................................................141
Title dialog box .......................................................................................................143
View Point dialog box.............................................................................................144
X Cut and Y Cut dialog box....................................................................................145
Notes: ...................................................................................................................................146
Code V Converter....................................................................................................147
Data format ..........................................................................................................................149
EXFO OWA Converter.............................................................................................151
Region Selection and Expansion ...........................................................................152

Wavelength Extrapolation by Sellmeier formula ....................................................154
Sellmeier Extrapolation Technical Background......................................................155
Zemax Converter.....................................................................................................159
Conversion...........................................................................................................................159
Notes on Conversion ..........................................................................................................160

Data formats ........................................................................................................................161
ZEMAX Beam File (ZBF) binary format .............................................................................161
Appendix A: Opti2D Graph Control.......................................................................163
User interface features .......................................................................................................164
Information windows ..............................................................................................164

Info-window ............................................................................................................164
Legend ...................................................................................................................165
Graph toolbox.........................................................................................................166
Graph tools ..........................................................................................................................166
Graph menu ...........................................................................................................168

Graph Menu button ................................................................................................168
Tools ......................................................................................................................168
Windows.................................................................................................................169
Printing and exporting files.....................................................................................169
Utilities....................................................................................................................171
Help........................................................................................................................171
Displays..................................................................................................................172
Graph Properties dialog .....................................................................................................173
X-Axis.....................................................................................................................173
Y-Axis.....................................................................................................................175
Grid ........................................................................................................................177
Fonts ......................................................................................................................178
Legend ...................................................................................................................178
Graph .....................................................................................................................179
Label Management ................................................................................................180
Appendix B: File Formats.......................................................................................181
Generic file format...............................................................................................................181
Data file formats ..................................................................................................................181
Real Data 2D File Format: BCF2DPC....................................................................182

Real Data 3D File Format: BCF3DPC....................................................................183
Complex Data 2D File Format: BCF2DCX.............................................................185
Complex Data 3D File Format: BCF3DCX.............................................................186
User Refractive Index Distribution File Format ................................................................188
Reading User Refractive Index Files by BPM 2D and BPM 3D .......................................189
Complex Data 3D Vectorial File Format: BCF3DCXV ...........................................190
Path Monitoring File Format...............................................................................................191
BCF2DPM ..............................................................................................................191
Power In Output Waveguides File Format ........................................................................191
BCF2DMC..............................................................................................................191
Notes: ...................................................................................................................................192
OptiTools
OptiTools is a collection of programs that perform operations on fields used in

OptiBPM and OptiFDTD.
The following tools are available:

• Overlap Integral—Calculates power overlap integrals of fields. Can accept semi-
vector and full vector data. In full-vector data, the input field has both major and
minor components.
• Gaussian Overlap Scanner—Calculates power overlap integrals with Gaussian
fields for a range of offsets. Applies to the BPM 2D or 3D fields.
• Overlap Integral Scanner—Calculates the power overlap integrals for a range of
field offsets.
• Multiple Fields—Creates a user field as a sum of given fields.
• Multiple Gaussians—Creates a user field as a sum of Gaussian fields.
• Confinement Factor—Calculates the portion of guided energy within an arbitrary
rectangular boundary. Can accept semi-vector and full vector data.
• Far Field—Calculates the far-field radiation pattern from the near-field.
• Mode 2D—Finds the effective refractive index and the modal field of any guided
mode in a two-dimensional (planar) structure.
— Modes of Planar Waveguides
— Correlation Function Method (CFM)
— User Defined File
• Code V Converter—Converts Code V files to OptiBPM files and vice versa.
• EXFO OWA Converter
• Zemax Converter
To open the OptiBPM Utilities dialog box, from the Start menu, select Programs >
Optiwave Software > OptiBPM 9.0 > OptiBPM Tools (see Figure 1). This opens the
OptiBPM Utilities dialog box.
9
OPTITOOLS
Figure 1 OptiBPM Utilities dialog box
10
OPTITOOLS — OVERLAP INTEGRAL
Overlap Integral
Overlap Integral calculates power overlap integrals of fields. It can accept both full-
vector data and semi-vector data. In full-vector data, the input field has both major and
minor components.
The Overlap Integral tool can use input fields with different sizes and mesh
configurations. The relative position of the two fields can be modified by specifying an
Offset in X and Y coordinates. The integration range is a user-specified rectangle
within the intersection of the two fields, not over the whole domain.
Note: It is E2 that moves, not E1. The user specified rectangle Ω is on the same
coordinate system as E1 (see Figure 2).
Figure 2 Two input fields, E1 and E2
E1 is defined on domain.
x ∈ 1, 7 and y ∈ 3, 7 , E2 on x ∈ 7, 12 and y ∈ 7, 13 .
The offset is (-4, -4)—the user can specify a range of integration Ω within the
intersection.
The example shows a Ω with
x ∈ 4, 6 and y ∈ 4, 6
The power overlap integral in vector 3D is defined as:
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∫ E1 ( x, y ) ⋅ E2∗ ( x, y ) dx dy
2
Ω (1)
POI = -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2
-
2
∫ E1 ( x, y ) dx dy ∫ E2 ( x, y ) dx dy
E1 E2
By the E1 and E2 in the integration limits, we mean the domain of the respective
functions. The squared magnitudes are interpreted as:
= E ⋅ E∗ = E x E x∗ + E y E y∗ = E x + Ey
2 2 2
E (2)
The power is normalized so that any field, when overlapped with itself, will give a
value of unity if the region of integration Ω is the extent of the whole function (i.e. in
the case Ω is set to the domain of the function). Note that if a field is overlapped with
itself, but integrated over an extent smaller than the domain, the result is the square
of the confinement factor:
Power Overlap of E ( x, y ) with itself =
2
∗ dx dy 2 2
∫ E ⋅ E ∫ E dx dy
Ω
------------------------------------------------
- Ω
------------------------- 2 (3)
= = (Confinement Factor)
2 2 2
∫E dx dy ∫ E dx dy ∫E dx dy
E E E
The Power Overlap Integral and Confinement factor are defined for scalar, semi
vector, and 2D in a similar way.
12
Overlap Integral calculates power overlap integrals of fields. To open the Overlap
Integral, in the OptiBPM Utilities dialog box, click Overlap Integral (see Figure 3).
Figure 3 Overlap Integral dialog box
Select either a 2D or 3D Overlap Integral.
2D Overlap Integral
Integral of two one-dimensional fields *.f2d
3D Overlap Integral
Integral of two-dimensional fields *.f3d
Click Overlap Integral 2D to open the 2D Overlap Integral calculation dialog box, or
click Overlap Integral 3D to open the 3D Integral Overlap calculation dialog box.
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2D Overlap Integral
The 2D Overlap Integral dialog box allows you to calculate overlap integrals in 2D
fields (see Figure 4).
Note: If you access the Overlap Integral tool via the 2D Mode Solver, the data
file for Input Field 1 is already loaded.
Figure 4 2D Overlap Integral dialog box
Input Data
Specify the two 2D fields and the overlap regions.
Input Field 1 name of a .f2d file containing the first input field.
Input Field 2 name of a .f2d file containing the second input field.
Get Data
Once the two .f2d files have been selected, click Get Data to have the utility read
the field data. Once the data is read, the following fields will be available (see
Figure 4):
Offset—X field: This number indicates the distance the second field is moved before
overlapping integral is done
Subdivisions—number of subdivisions of mesh intervals in overlap integral. The

subdivisions option is related to the space discretization where the overlap integral
will be solved.
The mesh of the two fields can be different, and the offset is arbitrary. We want to
obtain an integral with an accuracy that is consistent with the mesh representation of
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the functions in the integrand. This requires oversampling the integrand, which is
achieved by subdividing the smaller mesh interval into the specified number of points.
The accuracy improves with more subdivisions, but the execution time slows down.
More accurate results can be obtained by using a number as large as 10 for
subdivisions, but the accuracy is not likely to improve by further increasing the
subdivisions.
Region of Integration—X Lower and X Upper: These numbers define, using the co-
ordinate system of Input Field 1, the range of integration for the overlap integral (it is
an integration over a single variable in the 2D Overlap Integral case).
Note: The following fields are never available in the 2D Overlap Integral dialog
box:
• Offset—Y field
• Region—Y Upper and Y Lower
Statistics
The Power Overlap Integral.
Result of Overlap: The resulting overlap integral displays in percent and in decibels.
Status fields
The two small read-only windows display the current operation status (for example,
Idle, Loading, or Calculating) and the completed percentage of the operation
(progress bar).
15
3D Overlap Integral
The 3D Overlap Integral dialog box allows you to calculate overlap integrals of 3D
fields (see Figure 5).
Note: If you access the Overlap Integral tool via the 2D Mode Solver, the data
file for Input Field 1 is already loaded.
Figure 5 3D Overlap Integral Calculation dialog box
Input Data
Specify the two 3D fields and the overlap regions.
Input Field 1 name of a .f3d file containing the first input field (see E1 in Figure 2).
Input Field 2 name of a .f3d file containing the second input field (see E2 in
Figure 2).
Get Data
Once the two .f3d files have been selected, click Get Data to have the utility read
the field data. Once the data is read, the following fields will be available (see
Figure 5):
Offset—X and Y fields: specifies the translation of field E2 before the overlap integral
is done.
Subdivisions—number of subdivisions of mesh intervals in overlap integral. The

subdivisions option is related to the space discretization where the overlap integral
will be solved.
16
The mesh of the two fields can be different, and the offset is arbitrary. We want to
obtain an integral with an accuracy that is consistent with the mesh representation of
the functions in the integrand. This requires oversampling the integrand, which is
achieved by subdividing the smaller mesh interval into the specified number of points.
The accuracy improves with more subdivisions, but the execution time slows down.
More accurate results can be obtained by using a number as large as 10 for
subdivisions, but the accuracy is not likely to improve by further increasing the
subdivisions.
Region of Integration—X Lower, X Upper, Y Lower, and Y Upper: These

coordinates define the Region of Integration Ω in the coordinate system of Input
Field 1 (see Figure 6).
Figure 6 3D Overlap Integral—available fields
Statistics
Result of Overlap: The resulting overlap is displayed in percent and in decibels.
Status fields
The two small read-only windows display the current operation status (for example,
Idle, Loading, or Calculating) and the completed percentage of the operation
(progress bar).
17
18
OPTITOOLS — GAUSSIAN OVERLAP SCANNER
Gaussian Overlap Scanner
The Gaussian Overlap Scanner applies to the OptiBPM/OptiFDTD 2D or 3D fields.
The program calculates the power overlap integral (POI) (see Equation 1) of a given
complex field and a Gaussian field, where the Gaussian center position ( x c, y c ) is
varying or scanned within the mesh limits.
The Gaussian field is a Gaussian distribution defined from a center point x c, y c and
halfwidths σ x and σ y
x – xc 2 y – yc 2
G ( x, y ) = exp –  ------------- –  ------------- (4)
σx σy
In 2D, the function reduces to the case y = y c . The Gaussian field center is at
coordinates x c, y c , where G has value of unity. At any point on a ellipse with semi
axes σ x and σ y , the value is 1 ⁄ e .
To open the Gaussian Overlap Scanner, in the OptiBPM Utilities dialog box, click
Gaussian Overlap Scanner (see Figure 7).
Figure 7 Gaussian Overlap Integral Scanner dialog box
Select either 2D or 3D Overlap Integrals.
Overlap Integral 2D
Integral of two one-dimensional fields *.f2d
Overlap Integral 3D
Integral of two-dimensional fields *.f3d
When you select either integral, the Gaussian Overlap Field dialog box opens (see
Figure 8). You can browse for and load an existing field.
19
Note: If you access the Gaussian Overlap Scanner tool via the 2D Mode
Solver, the Gaussian Overlap Field dialog box does not appear. The data file for
Input Field is already loaded. The Overlap Integral dialog box opens.
Figure 8 Gaussian Overlap Field dialog box
After you select a file, click Load to open the Gaussian Overlap Integral (Scanner)
dialog box (see Figure 9 for 2D, and Figure 10 for 3D).
2D Gaussian Overlap Integral dialog box
Figure 9 2D Gaussian Overlap Integral (Scanner) dialog box
Information
Input Field: name and location of the .f3d file.
Number of Points in Mesh: displays the number of discretization points of the

Gaussian field.
20
Mesh Widths: displays the mesh width in microns.
Parameters
Gaussian Field Half Widths: enter X width of the current Gaussian field ( σ x ).
X Limits of Gaussian Center Position: displays limits for X coordinates of the

Gaussian center ( x c ).
Number of Calculation Points in X: specifys the number of calculation points for X.
Overlap Calculations: select the format of the overlap calculations, dB or

Percentage.
Write 2D Output file: enable to provide a file name and path. For 2D calculations,
use a .f2d file extension, so you can use Optiwave 2D viewers to view the scanned
results.
Calculate: click to start the calculations. At the end of the calculation, a dialog box
appears stating the maximum overlap integral and the displacement at which it was
obtained. The results of all overlap integrals are sent to the file in the Write 2D Output
File field.
3D Gaussian Overlap Integral dialog box
Figure 10 3D Gaussian Overlap Integral (Scanner) dialog box
21
Information
Input Field: name and location of the .f3d file.
Number of Points in Mesh (X/Y): displays the number of discretization points of the
Gaussian field.
Mesh Widths (X/Y): displays the mesh width in microns. This specifies the XY
domain.
Parameters
Gaussian Field Half Widths: enter X and Y widths of the current Gaussian field
( σ x, σ y .
X Limits of Gaussian Center Position: displays limits for X coordinates of the

Gaussian center ( x c ).
Number of Calculation Points in X: specifys the number of calculation points for X.
Y Limits of Gaussian Center Position: displays limits for Y coordinates of the

Gaussian center ( y c ).
Number of Calculation Points in Y: specifys the number of calculation points for Y.

Percentage.
Write 3D Output file: enable to provide a file name and path. For 3D calculations,
use a .f3d file extension, so you can use Optiwave 3D viewers to view the scanned
results.
obtained. The results of all overlap integrals are sent to the file in the Write 3D Output
File field.
At the end of the calculations, you are asked about your normalization choice (see
Figure 18).
Figure 11 Normalization dialog box
22
OPTITOOLS — OVERLAP INTEGRAL SCANNER
Overlap Integral Scanner
The Overlap Integral Scanner calculates the overlap integral of two given fields
scanning the position of the second field. This feature works in a similar manner to the
Gaussian Overlap Scanner. The number of calculation points is fixed, but you can
change the limits of the second field position.
To open the Overlap Integral Scanner, in the OptiBPM Utilities dialog box, click
Overlap Integral Scanner (see Figure 12).
Figure 12 Overlap Integral Scanner dialog box
Type of Overlap
Select either 2D or 3D Overlap Integral to control the scanning parameters.
Overlap Integral 2D: Integral of two one-dimensional fields *.f2d
Overlap Integral 3D: Integral of two-dimensional fields *.f3d
When you select either integral, the Input Fields dialog box opens (see Figure 13).
Note: If you access the Overlap Integral Scanner tool via the 2D Mode Solver,
the data file for First Field is already loaded.
Figure 13 Input Fields dialog box
23
First Field
Select the first file (.f2d or .f3d)
Second Field
Select the second file (.f2d or .f3d)
Note: You must select a file for each field.
Click OK to open the Overlap Integral dialog box.
The Overlap Integral Scanner involves the repeated application of the Overlap
Integral for various displacements of the second field (E2 of Figure 2).
Overlap Integral 2D
Figure 14 Overlap Integral dialog box—2D
Parameters
X Limits of Second Field Movement: controls the range of X displacement of

second field.

Percentage.
Write 2D file: enable to provide a file name and path. For 2D calculations, use
a .f2d file extension, so you can use Optiwave 2D viewers to view the scanned
results.
24
Region of Integration
Specifies region of integration Ω where the overlap integration is performed.
X Lower: bottom left corner of the rectangle Ω
X Upper: top right corner of the rectangle Ω
Status fields: two small read-only windows display the current operation status
(Idle, Loading, or Calculating) and the completed percentage of the operation
(progress bar).
obtained. The results of all overlap integrals are sent to the file in the Output File field.
Overlap Integral 3D
Figure 15 Overlap Integral dialog box—3D case
Parameters
X Limits of Second Field Movement: controls the range of X displacement of

second field
Y Limits of Second Field Movement: controls the range of Y displacement of

second field
The number of points in the scan is taken from the mesh size of the first or second
field (the smaller of the two mesh sizes is used).
25
Example
In the example shown in Figure 15, the Y displacement of the second field will be set
at -1.25, and then the X displacement of the second field will range from -1.2 to -1.0.
Next, the Y displacement will be scanned up to -1.0, with the X scan repeated for each
new Y displacement. In 2D, only the X displacement is scanned.

Percentage.
Write 3D file: enable to provide a file name and path. For 3D calculations, use
a .f3d file extension, so you can use Optiwave 3D viewers to view the scanned
results. In 2D, use .f2d.
Region of Integration
Specifies the rectangular region of integration Ω , as in Equation 1 where the overlap
integration is performed, . The numbers in the fields are coordinates in the system of
field E1.
X Lower: bottom left corner of the rectangle Ω

Y Lower: bottom left corner of the rectangle Ω
X Upper: top right corner of the rectangle Ω
Y Upper: top right corner of the rectangle Ω
Status fields: two small read-only windows display the current operation status
(Idle, Loading, or Calculating) and the completed percentage of the operation
(progress bar).
obtained. The results of all overlap integrals are sent to the file in the Output File field.
26
OPTITOOLS — MULTIPLE FIELDS
Multiple Fields
The Multiple Fields utility enables you to create a user field E as a sum of given fields
E1, E2.....EN with custom weights and phase changes.
To open the Multiple Fields, in the OptiBPM Utilities dialog box, click Multiple
Fields (see Figure 16).
Figure 16 Multiple Fields
Select 2D or 3D Multiple Field to perform additions of 2D or 3D fields.
Multiple Field 2D: addition of two-dimensional fields *.f2d
Multiple Field 3D: addition of three-dimensional fields *.f3d
27
Multiple Fields (2D) dialog box

To open the Multiple Fields dialog box (2D), click Multiple Field 2D (see Figure 17).
Note: If you access the Multiple Fields tool via the 2D Mode Solver, the data file
for Field to add is already loaded. The dialog box is also different (see Figure 21).
Figure 17 Multiple Fields 2D dialog box
Field Data
Field to add: browse to an existing field file.
Weight Factor
Amplitude: enter the coefficient that multiplies the amplitude of the original field.
Power: enter the coefficient that multiplies the power of the original field.
Phase Change:
[deg]: enter the phase factor that changes the phase of the original field.
Fields already added: lists fields added to the existing field file
Browse: click to open the Open window dialog box and select the field file
Add Field: click to add the current field to the list.
Finish: click to perform the summation of all fields in the list.
28
Figure 18).
Multiple Fields (3D) dialog box

To open the Multiple Fields dialog box (3D), click Multiple Field 3D (see Figure 19).
Note: If you access the Multiple Fields tool via the 2D Mode Solver, the data file
for Field to add is already loaded (see Figure 21).
Figure 19 Multiple Fields 3D dialog box
Field Data
Field to add: browse to an existing field file.
Weight Factor
29
Phase Change:
Fields already added

Lists fields added to the existing field file
Browse: click to open the Open window dialog box, where you can choose which file
to select.
Figure 18).
30
Multiple Fields—2D Mode Solver
Figure 21 2D Mode Solver Multiple Fields dialog box
Available Fields
Lists fields available to add to the field file.
Fields already added

Lists fields added to the existing field file.
Field Data
Weight Factor
Phase Change:
31
Notes
32
OPTITOOLS — MULTIPLE GAUSSIANS
Multiple Gaussians
The Gaussian field is a Gaussian distribution defined from a center point ( x c, y c and
halfwidths σ x and σ y
x – xc 2
y – yc 2
G ( x, y ) = exp –  ------------- –  ------------- (5)
 σx   σy 
In 2D, the function reduces to the case y – y c . The Gaussian field center is at
coordinates x c, y c , where G has value of unity. At any point on an ellipse with semi
axes σ x and σ y , the value is 1 ⁄ e .
In Multiple Gaussians, you can create a sum of Gaussian fields G1, G2, G3... each
with different centers and halfwidths. The Gaussian fields can be added with different
amplitudes and phases. The phases are specified in units of π , as shown in
Equation 6.
E ( x, y ) = A 1 exp [ jπp 1 ]G 1 ( x, y ) + A 2 exp [ jπp 2 ]G 2 ( x, y ) + ... + A N exp [ jπp N ]G N ( x, y ) (6)
The Multiple Gaussians feature creates a user field as a sum of Gaussian fields.
To open the Multiple Gaussian dialog box, in the OptiBPM Utilities dialog box, click
Multiple Gaussians (see Figure 22).
33
Figure 22 Multiple Gaussian dialog box
Parameters of Gaussian
Number of Points in Mesh: enter the number of discretization points of the

Gaussian field. After the first entry, followed by Add, the Number of Points in Mesh
cannot be changed for subsequent fields.
Mesh Width: enter the mesh width in microns. This specifies the XY domain. After
the first entry, followed by Add, the Mesh Width cannot be changed for subsequent
fields.
Gaussian Field Center: enter X and Y coordinates of the Gaussian center (x c, y c ).
Gaussian Half Width: enter X and Y widths of the current Gaussian field ( σ x, σy .
Amplitude Weight Factor: enter the coefficient that multiplies the amplitude of the
current Gaussian field ( A 1, A 2 ... ).
Phase Change [deg]: enter the phase factor that changes the phase of the current
Gaussian field ( P 1, P 2 ... ).
Add: click to add the current field to the list.
34
Figure 18).
35
Notes
36
OPTITOOLS — CONFINEMENT FACTOR
Confinement Factor
Figure 24 Definition of Confinement Factor
The confinement factor field is defined over the rectangle bounded on the lower left
corner by (Xmin, Ymin) and on the upper right by (Xmax, Ymax). The confinement
factor is the fraction of power to be found in the smaller rectangular region bounded
by (xmin, ymin), (xmax, ymax).
ymax xmax
∫ ∫
E ( x, y ) dx dy
2
ymin xmin
Confinement Factor = ------------------------------------------------------------ (7)
Ymax Xmax
∫ ∫ 2
E ( x, y ) dx dy
Ymin Xmin
The squared magnitude is interpreted as
= E ⋅ E∗ = E x E x∗ + E y E y∗ = E x + E y
2 2 2
E (8)
In the case of scalar fields and 2D fields, similar definitions are used.
Confinement Factor calculates a portion of guided energy within waveguide

boundaries. To open the Confinement Factor dialog box, in the OptiBPM Utilities
dialog box, click Confinement Factor (see Figure 25).
37
Figure 25 Confinement Factor dialog box
Type of Confinement Factor
2D Confinement: are for *.f2d fields
3D Confinement: are for *.f3d fields
Click 2D Confinement or 3D Confinement to open the Open dialog box. Select a

file, and click Open to open the Confinement Factor - 2D dialog box (see Figure 26),
or the Confinement Factor - 3D dialog box (see Figure 27).
Figure 26 Confinement Factor - 2D dialog box
Data File
Field: displays the path to the current data file.
38
Data Coordinates
Xmin: displays the minimum value of the data domain
Xmax: displays the maximum value of the data domain
Confinement Data
xmin: defines the minimum value of the boundaries confining the field
xmax: defines the maximum value of the boundaries confining the field
Note: An alternative is to use the Use Mesh Points option.
Number of mesh points: displays the number of mesh points in the data field
Use Mesh Points
min pt: defines the minimum value of the field boundaries in mesh points
max pt: defines the maximum value of the field boundaries in mesh points
Note: An alternative is to use the Confinement Data option.
Statistics
Confinement Factor: displays the calculated confinement factor in percent
Compute: starts the confinement factor calculation
39
Figure 27 Confinement Factor - 3D dialog box
Data File
Field: displays the path to the current data file.
Data Coordinates
Xmin: displays the minimum value of the data domain
Ymin: displays the minimum value of the data domain
Xmax: displays the maximum value of the data domain
Ymax: displays the maximum value of the data domain
Number of mesh points
XNo: displays the number of mesh points in the X-data field
YNo: displays the number of mesh points in the Y-data field
40
Confinement Data
xmin: defines the minimum value of the X-boundaries confining the field
xmax: defines the maximum value of the X-boundaries confining the field
ymin: defines the minimum value of the Y-boundaries confining the field
ymax: defines the maximum value of the Y-boundaries confining the field
Note: An alternative is to use the Use Mesh Points option.
Use Mesh Points
xmin pt: defines the minimum value of the field X-boundary in mesh points
xmax pt: defines the maximum value of the field X-boundary in mesh points
ymin pt: defines the minimum value of the field Y-boundary in mesh points
ymax pt: defines the maximum value of the field Y-boundary in mesh points
Note: An alternative is to use the Confinement Data option.
Statistics
Confinement Factor: displays the calculated confinement factor in percent
Compute: starts the confinement factor calculation
41
Notes
42
OPTITOOLS — FAR FIELD
Far Field
Far Field calculates a far field distribution from a near-field one.
Fraunhofer approximation
Narrow angle far field transform being used in OptiBPM is based on the Fraunhofer
approximation [1]:
k- 2
----- ( x + y2)
ikd i 2d --k- ( xx′ + yy′ )
∫∫
ie e (9)
E ( x , y, z = d ) ≅ – ---------------------------- E ( x′, y′, 0 )e – i d dx′ dy′
λd
At a large distance d, the far field position can be expressed by the far field angle,
x y
tan ( θ x ) = --- ; tan ( θ y ) = --- (10)
d d
Where the x-directional angle ( θ x ) is the angle between the orginal yz-plane and the
shortest straight line connecting the point and the Y axis, and the y-directional angle
( θ y ) is the angle between the orginal xz-plane and the shortest straight line
connecting the point and the x axis. the far field is also shown in Equation 11.
Associated with the angle where to observe the far field, far field formula now can be
simplified as
∫∫ ------ ( x′ tan θ + y′ tan θ ) dx′ dy′

(11)
E ( θ , θ )α
x y
E ( x ′, y′, 0 ) exp – i n 2πλ x y
Please note that the above formula assumed far field is far away from the near field.
OptiBPM uses Equation 13 to calculate the narrow angle far field transform.
43
Figure 28 Far field angle (the red region is the near field)
Fresnel-Kirchhoff Diffraction Formula

Wide angle far field transform is based on the Fresnel-Kirchhoff diffraction formula [1].
e ikR 1 + cos ( R, z )
∫∫
i
E ( x , y, z = d ) = – --- E ( x ′, y′, 0 ) ---------- -------------------------------- dx′ dy′
(12)
λ R 2
where R is the vector from near-field to far-field.
The far-field position can be expressed with far field angle the far field distance z=d.
Therefore, in the wide angle far field transform, user needs to specify the far field
distance.
In the wide angle Far Field dialog boxes, a field is provided to input the distance.
44
2D Far Field
The far field pattern in 2D is calculated using a discrete Fourier transform based on
the formula in Equation 13:
Xmax
x 2π x 0
F  ----0- α ∫ f ( x ) exp – jn ------ ----- x dx (13)
 z 0 λ z0
Xmin
where x is the position coordinate in the near field plane, x 0 is the coordinate in the
observation plane, and z 0 is the distance between the near field plane and the
observation plane. λ is the wavelength of the field. n is refractive index of the
medium.
To open the Far-Field Calculation 2D dialog box, in the OptiBPM Utilities dialog
box, click Far-Field (see Figure 29).
Note: If you access the Far Field tool via the 2D Mode Solver, the data file for
Input Field is already loaded.
Figure 29 Far-Field Calculation 2D dialog box
Data File
Input Field:
enter the input field for calculations
Load:
click to load the selected input field.
45
Parameters
Wavelength:
enter the wavelength in microns
Refractive Index:
enter the refractive index of the medium
Result
Select Amplitude or Intensity for display of results.
Angle
Initial:
initial angle parameter
Final:
final angle parameter
Number of steps:
number of steps to be calculated
Calculate
Click to start the calculations.
Save As
Click to save the results of the calculations in a user-defined file.
Close
Click to close the dialog box.
46
3D Far Field
The far field distribution can be observed and measured, thereby providing an
important tool for estimating the characteristics of a given waveguide. The far field
distribution can be derived from the Fraunhofer diffraction pattern of its near field. To
calculate the far-field intensity pattern in 3D, first, the fast Fourier transform is used to
calculate the Fraunhofer integral, and then, the result is re-sampled in order to have
uniform angular sampling.
The fast Fourier transform estimates the value of the formula:

(14)
x y
– j⋅ n ------ ⋅  ----0 ⋅ x + ----0 ⋅ y
2π
x0 y0 λ  z0 z0 
F  -----, -----  α ∫ ∫ f ( x, y ) ⋅ e dx dy
z0 z 0
where x and y are the coordinates in the near field plane, x 0 and y 0 are the
coordinates in the observation plane, z 0 is the distance between the near field plane
and the observation plane. λ is the wavelength of the field. n is the refractive index
of the medium.
After performing the Fourier transform above, the modulus squared of the result:
x0 y0 2
F  -----, -----
z0 z0
(the optical intensity) is normalized such that the maximum value is 1.0.
In addition, the independent variables are presented as angles in degrees:

x0
tan θ x = -----
z0
y0
tan θ y = -----
z0
so that in the output, the optical normalized intensity will be plotted as a function of
angle of deviation fro the z-axis in degrees.
To open the Far-Field Calculation 3D dialog box, in the OptiBPM Utilities dialog
box, click Far-Field (see Figure 29).
47
Note: If you access the Far Field tool via the 2D Mode Solver, the data file for
Input Field is already loaded.
Figure 30 Far Field Calculation 3D dialog box
Data File
Input Field:
enter the input field for calculations
Load:
click to load the selected input field.
Parameters
Wavelength:
enter the wavelength in microns
Refractive Index:
enter the refractive index of the medium
Angle
X direction:
angle in the XZ plane
Y direction:
angle in the YZ plane
Number of steps:
number of steps to be calculated
48
References
[1] Justin Peatros and Harold Stokes, “Physics of Light and Optics”
49
50
OPTITOOLS — MODE 2D
Mode 2D
The Mode Solver 2D finds the effective refractive index and the modal field of any
guided mode in a two-dimensional structure.
Two methods for mode solving are available:

• Modes of Planar Waveguides (MPW)
• Correlation Function Method (CFM)
For the MPW simulations, you can automatically scan modal solutions using the Scan
Parameters option. Thickness, refractive index of layers, and other parameters can
be scanned individually or in combinations defined using a programmable
spreadsheet.
Using the solvers, you may find effective refractive indices that are needed to convert
a 3D problem to a 2D problem by the Effective Index Method.
To open the 2D Mode Solver dialog box, in the OptiBPM Utilities dialog box, click
Mode 2D (see Figure 31).
Figure 31 2D Mode Solver dialog box
51
To open the New dialog box, from the File menu, select New (see Figure 32).
Select one of the mode solving options:

• Modes of Planar Waveguides
• User Defined File (CFM)
Figure 32 New dialog box
52
Modes of Planar Waveguides

The Modes of Planar Waveguides option allows you to configure the two-
dimensional structure of planar waveguides (see Figure 33).
Figure 33 2D Mode Solver
You design the 2D structure by adding layers, in which we assume real refractive
indices. There is no limitation on the number of layers you can add. You can also enter
parameters for the cladding and substrate (see Figure 34).
Figure 34 Layers between the cladding and the substrate
53
The Modes of Planar Waveguides main menu bar contains menus that are available
in the Modes of Planar Waveguides dialog box (see Figure 35).
Figure 35 Main menu bar
File menu
File menu item Toolbar Description

button
Opens the New dialog box. Create a new 2D Mode Solver file:
New (Ctrl+N)
• User DefinedFile
Opens the Open dialog box. Select an existing 2D Mode Solver *.m2d file.
Open (Ctrl+O)
Close — Closes the active file.
Saves the active file under the current name in the default location.
Save (Ctrl+S)
Save As — Saves the current project with a different name and in a location that you select.
Recent file — Lists the most recent files that you worked on.
Exit — Closes the 2D Mode Solver dialog box.
Edit menu
Edit menu item Toolbar Description

button
Undo (Ctrl+Z) — Allows you to undo the last change made in the file. You can undo all actions until
the last saved operation.
Removes all selected items and places them on the clipboard.

Cut (Ctrl+X)
Allows you to copy selected items to the clipboard. The selected items remain in the
Copy (Ctrl+C) active file.
Copies devices from the clipboard and pastes them in a user-defined location.
Paste (Ctrl+V)
Delete — Allows you to delete all selected items.
54
View menu
View menu item Toolbar Description

button
Toolbar — Select to display the main Toolbar.
Status Bar — Select to display the Status Bar.
Simulation menu
Simulation Toolbar Description

menu item button
Global Parameters — Set up data for the mode solver.
Edit Parameters — Add new parameters or change values of existing parameters.
Scan Parameters — Define how to automatically repeat simulations in a loop-like manner.
Output Data Files — If you use the loop-like simulations from the Scan Parameters option, the resulting
output files are additionally numbered according to the loop iteration numbers.
Calculate — Run the 2D Mode Solver to find modes.
For more information on the Simulation functions, see “Simulation functions” on page
56.
Window menu

button
New Window — If this function is selected, a duplicate window will be reproduced.
Cascade — Arranges all open windows in a cascading format.
Tile — Arranges all open windows in a tile format.
Arrange Icons — Arranges the icons of windows you have minimized, neatly at the bottom left of the
window.
Open files — List of all files that are currently open.
55
Simulation functions
This section describes the following functions that are available from the Simulation
menu:
• Global parameters
• Edit Parameters
• Scan Parameters
• Output Data Files
• Calculate
Global parameters
Enables you to set up data for the mode solver. To open the Global Parameters
dialog box, from the Simulation menu, select Global Parameters (see Figure 36).
Figure 36 Global Parameters dialog box
General
Wavelength [µm]: enter the vacuum wavelength
Wafer Thickness: Reference display—the wafer thickness is determined by the

substrate, layers, and cladding.
Number of points in mesh: number of points in the mesh
Polarization
TE: Transverse electric (TE) polarization
TM: Transverse magnetic (TM) polarization
56
Edit Parameters
Enables you to add new parameters or change values of existing parameters. To open
the Edit Parameters dialog box, from the Simulation menu, select Edit Parameters
(see Figure 37).
Figure 37 Edit Parameters dialog box
Parameter
Name: Name for the variable—must be unique
Value: Value assigned to the parameter name
The existing parameters are displayed on the list. To edit a parameter and assign a
new value to it, click Add/Apply. To add a new parameter to the list, enter its name
and value and click Add/Apply. Click Clear All to remove all parameters.
57
Scan Parameters
Enables you to define how to automatically repeat simulations in a loop-like manner.
Since a number of parameters can be changed simultaneously in each loop iteration,
these parameters are called scan parameters.
To open the Scan Parameters dialog box, from the Simulation menu, select Scan
Parameters (see Figure 38).
Figure 38 Scan Parameters dialog box
Which parameters can be scanned?

As scan parameters, you can use any of the symbolic parameters from the list of
symbolic parameters. The list may contain parameters that are not directly related to
waveguides and the design parameters (for example, the wavelength, waveguide
refractive index, and start and end waveguide width). Among the design parameters,
there is a group of parameters that can be used for scanning. The scannable
parameters are marked by a star symbol on the data entry dialog boxes. For example,
in the Global Data dialog box, the Wavelength data entry is marked by the star
symbol. Assume that you do not have a parameter Lambda on your list of variables.
If you type Lambda as the Global Data entry, instead of providing a number, the
program prompts you to accept Lambda as a new parameter that can vary and adds
its name and value to the list of symbolic parameters. All existing scannable
parameters are listed as unassigned parameters in the Scan Parameters dialog box.
58
The Scan Parameters dialog box consists of two main sections: in the upper section,
you configure the iterations; in the lower section, you work with a spreadsheet for
establishing what values of the parameters are used in each iteration.
Unassigned Parameters
Lists the parameters that can be used for the scan calculations.
Number of iterations
Displays the number of iterations in the loop. The iteration number defines the number
of spreadsheet rows.
Ask for end values: when enabled, prompts for end values of scanned parameters
in the spreadsheet.
Scanned parameters
Allows you to add a parameter from the Unassigned Parameters list or remove
parameter column from the spreadsheet. Adding a parameter creates a
corresponding column in the spreadsheet.
Leading parameter
Allows you to assign a leading parameter among the scanned parameters that will be
displayed in the Report dialog box during the simulations.
In Between
Fills in blank rows between selected start and end rows by using a linear, logarithm,
or (1-log) function. The start and end rows must not be blank.
Copy
Copies a first value from spreadsheet selection to the entire selection.
Delete
Deletes a selection.
Fill Down
Fills down the column linearly using the linear step taken from first two values.
Expressions
Recalc: recalculates mathematical expressions used in the spreadsheet. For
example, you can simultaneously change the wavelength, width, or refractive index of
a waveguide. The resulting data will be identified by the corresponding iteration
number. You designate a parameter as the leading parameter. The resulting data will
be identified by the iterated values of that leading parameter. The Recalc option is
useful for the displaying of results.
59
Output Data Files

The simulation output data is saved in selected files in the Output Data Files dialog
box. If you use the loop-like simulations from the Scan Parameters option, the
resulting output files are additionally numbered according to the loop iteration
numbers.
To open the Output Data Files dialog box, from the Simulation menu, select Output
Data Files (see Figure 39).
Figure 39 Output Data Files dialog box
Modal Fields check box

Modal fields are numbered by the loop number and by the mode order.
Start Mode: first mode to store
End Mode: last mode to store
Output Data file name

Name of the Output Data file.
Modal Indices:
Select to store modal indices.
Modal Indices Data file name:

Name of the Output Data file.
Log File:
Select to generate log files.
Log file name: name of the Log file.
60
Auto Generate File Names

Select this check box to automatically generate the file names. For modal fields, the
file names will be of the form Mode2d1_M2D_XX_Mode_XXX.f2d where XX is
the iteration and XXX is the mode number. The modal indices will have the form
Mode2D1_m2d.mi. For the log file, the automatic file name will be
Mode2D1_M2D.log.
Calculate
Run the mode solver to find modes. To open the Global Parameters dialog box and
run the simulation, from the Simulation menu, select Calculate (see Figure 40).
Figure 40 Global Parameters dialog box—Calculate
General
Wavelength [µm]: enter the vacuum wavelength
Wafer Thickness: reference display—the wafer thickness is determined by the

substrate, layers and cladding.
Number of points in mesh: number of points in the mesh
Polarization
TM: Transverse magnetic (TM) polarization
Run
Runs the mode solver.
As the calculation runs, the Modes Found dialog box opens and displays a list of the
found modes (see Figure 41).
61
Figure 41 Modes Found dialog box
Figure 42 2D Mode Solver (PLW)
62
Modes of Planar Waveguides—other functions

This section describes other functions available in the Modes of Planar Waveguides
dialog box.
Layers
The layers are listed in order. Layers are numbered from 0 to n, from bottom to top.
The Layer list allows for the multiple selection of layers (hold down SHIFT or CTRL
key as you select layers). You can also draw a marquee box around desired items to
select them. Any changes made to the layer properties will be registered after clicking
Apply.
Layer data
These variables are common to all selected elements in the list:
Thickness: Thickness of the selected layer(s).
Refractive Index: Refractive index of the selected layer(s). The index is a real
number.
Apply Thickness
Click to apply thickness changes made to the selected layer(s).
Apply Index
Click to apply refractive index changes made to the selected layer(s).
Apply
Click to apply thickness and refractive index changes made to the selected layer(s).
Note: You must click Apply for the changes to take effect. If you click OK without
clicking Apply first, the changes will not be saved.
Remove
Removes the selected layer(s).
Add
Adds the selected layer(s).
Cladding
You can add a cladding on top of the device:
Thickness: Enter the cladding thickness in microns. The thickness is perpendicular

to the propagation direction along the Y axis.
Refractive Index: Enter the cladding refractive index. The index is a real number.
Substrate
You design a device on a substrate:
63
Thickness: Enter the substrate thickness.
Refractive Index: Enter the substrate refractive index. The index is a real number.
Correlation Function Method (CFM)

To open the Correlation Function Method dialog box, in the New dialog box (see
Figure 43), select Correlation Function Method (CFM) and click OK (see
Figure 44).
Figure 43 New dialog box—Correlation Function Method (CFM)
Figure 44 2D Mode Solver—Correlation Function Method dialog box
64
The Correlation Function Method main menu bar contains menus that are available
in the Correlation Function Method dialog box (see Figure 45).
File menu

button
New (Ctrl+N)
• User Defined File
Open (Ctrl+O)
Save (Ctrl+S)
Edit menu

button

Cut (Ctrl+X)
Paste (Ctrl+V)
65
View menu

button
Simulation menu

menu item button
Edit Parameters — Add new parameters or change values of existing parameters.
For more information on the Simulation functions, see “Simulation functions” on page
67.
Window menu

button
Tile — Arranges all open windows in a tile format.
Arrange Icons — Arranges the icons of windows you have minimized, neatly at the bottom left of the
window.
Open files — List of all files that are currently open.
66
Simulation functions
This section describes the following functions that are available from the Simulation
menu:
• Global parameters
• Edit Parameters
• Calculate
Global Parameters
Enables you to set up data for the mode solver. To open the Global Data dialog box,
from the Simulation menu, select Global Parameters (see Figure 46).
Figure 46 Global Data dialog box
In the Global Data dialog box, you to configure the Correlation Function Method
simulations. The solver needs to propagate a starting field to find waveguide modes.
Depending on the starting field, you can excite different modes. For a complete
solution, the solver runs the propagation twice – first time to find modal propagation
constants, and the second time to calculate modal fields. You set up parameters for
the BPM propagation and for the correlation function calculations.
67
Starting Field
The starting field is the field distribution at the start of propagation. There are four
choices of the starting field amplitude:
Gaussian: Initializes a Gaussian starting field and allows you to select the distribution
parameters.
File: Initializes a field from a user file in the *.f2d format.
Polarization
Two field polarization options are possible:
TM: Transverse magnetic (TM) polarization.
The field polarization is properly taken into account in the treatment of the dielectric
interfaces in BPM2D algorithms.
BPM Solver
There are three solver options:
Paraxial: Paraxial solver
Padé (1,1): Wide-angle solver based on the Padé (1,1) approximant
The simplest and fastest solver is based on the paraxial method. The results are
accurate for propagation cone angles not exceeding 15-20 degrees. The wide-angle
solvers are more precise than the paraxial solver for layer angles but are also more
time-consuming. Solvers based on higher Padé approximants also allow for
simulations of structures with a larger refractive index contrast.
Boundary conditions
An important problem in waveguide modeling is the treatment of radiation waves

since the radiation tends to reflect from the problem boundaries back into the solution
region where it causes unwanted interference. A common way to prevent boundary
reflection is through the insertion of artificial absorption regions that are close to the
boundaries. Unfortunately, this method cannot be implemented in BPM2D because
its application is problem-dependent. The absorption method requires an adjustment
of the absorption parameters which is not appropriate for a general purpose software.
Consequently, the most natural way to escape unwanted reflections from the
boundaries is to introduce transparent boundary conditions (TBC) that are not
problem-dependent.
BPM2D uses the transparent boundary condition called TBC, which allows the optical
field to flow out through the boundaries.
68
Reference index
The reference index is a constant refractive index used as a reference in the BPM2D
calculations. There are two options available:
Auto: Average refractive index over the starting index distribution in the transverse
mesh. The average index is recommended for general use.
User: Allows you to define your own reference index.
Conformal mapping
You can activate the conformal mapping simulation for finding modes of bend
waveguides. We assume the upward direction of the bend radius.
Correlation function
The correlation between the starting field and the propagating field is the basis for
determining waveguide modes. Peaks of the correlation function correspond to
excited modes:
Nr of points: Must be a power of 2; adjusts the precision of modal indices; more

points means better precision.
Nr of steps per point: Number of propagation steps per a correlation function point;
adjusts index limits where the solver search looks for modes; more steps expands the
searching limits.
Wavelength [µm]
The wavelength button allows you to define the wavelength value used in propagation
simulations. The wavelength value is assumed to be the vacuum wavelength.
Number of Points in Mesh

The simulation results could be very sensitive to the number of mesh points. In
general, the usage of more mesh points results in better precision. In the simulation
of multimode waveguides, it is suggested that you use at least several points per
eigenmode. For example, for a ten-mode waveguide, the number of points within the
waveguide boundaries should be twenty or more. The minimum number of mesh
points is 19. The maximum number of mesh points is not limited in BPM2D and
depends solely on the computer memory available. However, too large a number of
mesh points may lead to long computations and round-off errors.
Nr of Displays
This is the number of layout cross-sections that are displayed and saved to output
data files. The Number of Displays parameter is usually much less than the number
of propagation steps. While the propagation step is a numerical parameter, the
number of displays is not and does not affect the simulation accuracy. The number of
displays is limited by how many display points your computer can handle in the
memory. Usually, 50 displays is sufficient for simple devices.
69
Propagation Step
The options in the Propagation Step section allow you to define the number of
propagation steps and to do calculations. The program suggests the step size that
results in good precision. However, the numerical method used in BPM2D is
unconditionally stable, and you can enter a step size larger than the suggested one.
The suggested value is usually smaller than the precision-safe value.
The propagation step can have different values in different layout regions. This is
possible to be done using Calculation Zones, where you define custom calculation
parameters.
70
Edit Parameters
Enables you to add new parameters or change values of existing parameters. To open
the Edit Parameters dialog box, from the Simulation menu, select Edit Parameters
(see Figure 47).
Parameter
Name: Name for the variable—must be unique.
Value: Value assigned to the parameter name.
The existing parameters are displayed on the list. To edit a parameter and assign a
new value to it, click Add/Apply. To add a new parameter to the list, enter its name
and value and click Add/Apply. Click Clear All to remove all parameters.
71
Calculate
To open the Global Data dialog box and run the Mode 2D calculations, from the
Simulation menu, select Calculate (see Figure 48).
Figure 48 Global Data dialog box—Calculate
72
Starting Field
The starting field is the field distribution at the start of propagation. There are four
Gaussian: Initializes a Gaussian starting field and allows you to select the distribution
parameters.
File: Initializes a field from a user file in the *.f2d format.
Polarization
Two field polarization options are possible:
TM: Transverse magnetic (TM) polarization.
The field polarization is properly taken into account in the treatment of the dielectric
interfaces in BPM2D algorithms.
BPM Solver
There are three solver options:
Paraxial: Paraxial solver
The simplest and fastest solver is based on the paraxial method. The results are
accurate for propagation cone angles not exceeding 15-20 degrees. The wide-angle
solvers are more precise than the paraxial solver for layer angles but are also more
time-consuming. Solvers based on higher Padé approximants also allow for
simulations of structures with a larger refractive index contrast.
Boundary conditions
There are two options available:
Simple TBC: Recommended for most cases
Full TBC: Recommended for very irregular boundary fields
An important problem in waveguide modeling is the treatment of radiation waves

since the radiation tends to reflect from the problem boundaries back into the solution
region where it causes unwanted interference. A common way to prevent boundary
reflection is through the insertion of artificial absorption regions that are close to the
boundaries. Unfortunately, this method cannot be implemented in BPM2D because
its application is problem-dependent. The absorption method requires an adjustment
of the absorption parameters which is not appropriate for a general purpose software.
Consequently, the most natural way to escape unwanted reflections from the
boundaries is to introduce transparent boundary conditions (TBC) that are not
problem-dependent. Recent publications indicate important advantages of the TBC
[4].
73
BPM2D uses the transparent boundary condition called TBC, which allows the optical
field to flow out through the boundaries.
Reference index
The reference index is a constant refractive index used as a reference in the BPM2D
Auto: Average refractive index over the starting index distribution in the transverse
mesh. The average index is recommended for general use.
User: Allows you to define your own reference index.
Conformal mapping
You can activate the conformal mapping simulation for finding modes of bend
waveguides. We assume the upward direction of the bend radius.
Correlation function
The correlation between the starting field and the propagating field is the basis for
determining waveguide modes. Peaks of the correlation function correspond to
excited modes:
Nr of points: Must be a power of 2; adjusts the precision of modal indices; more

points means better precision.
Nr of steps per point: Number of propagation steps per a correlation function point;
adjusts index limits where the solver search looks for modes; more steps expands the
searching limits.
Wavelength [µm]
The wavelength button allows you to define the wavelength value used in propagation
simulations. The wavelength value is assumed to be the vacuum wavelength.

The simulation results could be very sensitive to the number of mesh points. In
general, the usage of more mesh points results in better precision. In the simulation
of multimode waveguides, it is suggested that you use at least several points per
eigenmode. For example, for a ten-mode waveguide, the number of points within the
waveguide boundaries should be twenty or more. The minimum number of mesh
points is 19. The maximum number of mesh points is not limited in BPM2D and
depends solely on the computer memory available. However, too large a number of
mesh points may lead to long computations and round-off errors.
Nr of Displays
This is the number of layout cross-sections that are displayed and saved to output
data files. The Number of Displays parameter is usually much less than the number
of propagation steps. While the propagation step is a numerical parameter, the
number of displays is not and does not affect the simulation accuracy. The number of
displays is limited by how many display points your computer can handle in the
memory. Usually, 50 displays is sufficient for simple devices.
74
Propagation Step
The options in the Propagation Step section allow you to define the number of
propagation steps and to do calculations. The program suggests the step size that
results in good precision. However, the numerical method used in BPM2D is
unconditionally stable, and you can enter a step size larger than the suggested one.
The suggested value is usually smaller than the precision-safe value.
The propagation step can have different values in different layout regions. This is
possible to be done using Calculation Zones, where you define custom calculation
parameters.
Run
Click Run to start the calculation.
75
User Defined File

To open the User Defined File dialog box, in the New dialog box (see Figure 43),
select User Defined File (CFM) and click OK (see Figure 44).
Figure 49 New dialog box—User Defined File
Figure 50 2D Mode Solver [Mode2D2]
76
The User Defined File main menu bar contains menus that are available in the User
Defined File dialog box (see Figure 51).
File menu

button
New (Ctrl+N)
Open (Ctrl+O)
Save (Ctrl+S)
77
Edit menu

button

Cut (Ctrl+X)
Paste (Ctrl+V)
View menu

button
Simulation menu

menu item button
Window menu

button
78
User Defined File dialog box

Refractive Index file
Data file with 2D refractive index distribution.
Browse
Click Browse to open the Browse dialog box and select the refractive index
distribution file.
Wafer
Width: Dimension of the wafer.
79
Notes:
80
OPTITOOLS — USER GUIDE OF VIEW 2D
User Guide of View 2D
The Opti 2D Viewer is intended for the display and examination of 2D data cuts. The
2D data are displayed as points in the X-Y plane. It supports files with the following
extensions: *.rpd, *.fld, *.rid, *.mon, *.piw, *.poi.
Figure 52 2D Viewer
81
Graphic Engines
The ActiveX control in Opti 2D Viewer supports three graphic engines:
• DirectX
• OpenGL
• GDI
Three engines have been provided in order to support a maximum number of
hardware-software configurations, and controls are tested to work without problems
on all Windows operating systems from Windows 98.
The DirectX and OpenGL engines use standard libraries for hardware accelerated
rendering (if supported by your computer configuration). Rendering speeds differ
between the engines— DirectX engine is normally the fastest, and GDI the slowest.
The GDI graphical engine only uses standard Windows API calls, and all rendering
is done within the software.
All three graphic engines are contained in separate DLLs. If they are all installed, it is
possible to switch between them while data is displayed. The display configuration is
the same for all three.
82
User interface features

The Opti 2D Viewer offers many useful features. These include:
Feature Description
Large data handling capabilities Opti 2D Viewer is capable of handling millions of
points.
Optimized drawing Even with a large number of data points, Opti 2D

Viewer is optimized to allow for smooth tracing and
panning of graphs
Moveable information windows Moveable information windows allows for place-

ment of windows in the most convenient location in
the graph window.
Graph Toolbox The popup Graph toolbox allows easier access to

the viewing/organizing/editing capabilities of the
GraphWave graph tools.
To open Opti 2D Viewer, from the Start menu, select Programs > Optiwave Software
> OptiBPM > Opti 2D Viewer
83
Figure 53 Viewer -new
Main menu bar

The main menu bar contains the menus that are available in Opti 2DViewer. Many of
these menu items are also available as buttons on the toolbars.
Figure 54 Main Menu Bar
84
Toolbars
You select the toolbars that you want to have available in the main layout window.
Status bar
Displays the number of curves in the active file and the number of curves that have
been loaded.
85
Windows
Data browser
The Data browser lists all loaded graphs . To select a graph in the Data Browser,
click in the selection box next to the graph icon or name in the list. The graph appears
in the Opti 2D Viewer window. To remove the view, deselect the check box.
You can also open the Graph properties dialog box for the active graph if you double-
click on the graph icon or name in the Data browser.
The Data browser has two states:
Icon view small thumbnails represent the loaded graphs
Report view graph names represent the loaded graphs
Note: The Report view is useful when there is a large number of graphs loaded,
or when a graph has a long name that cannot be displayed in the Icon view.
To switch between Report view and Icon view, select or clear the check box in the
top right corner of the Data browser dialog box.
To open the Data browser, click the Graph menu button, and select View > Data
browser.
To have the Data browser open automatically when you open GraphWave, click
Properties to open the GraphWave Properties dialog box, click the General tab, click
Windows, and select Data browser. To save this change, click Apply.
Figure 55 Icon view
86
Figure 56 Report view
Info window
The Info window displays measurement data about the tools displayed in the
Opti 2D Viewer window . To enable or disable any of the displayed data, double-click
on the Info window to open the InfoView Properties dialog box, or select Edit >
Graph properties > InfoView tab.
The data displayed in the Info window consists of:

• Current tool position: displays the point where the minimum X-Y
plane intersects the cursor with an imaginary line (in 3D mode).
• Axis scaling factor: displays the zoom scale. Default scaling factor is
100%.
• Active tool data: displays the corresponding data in the Opti 2D
Viewer window.
Figure 57 Info window
87
Edit data
To view the data points in a graph file, select Edit > Edit Data. The Data Editor dialog
box opens. Values can be displayed in scientific notation by selecting the Scientific
checkbox. Click Apply to change the Data Editor values in the graph view for the
selected data point.
Figure 58 Data editor
88
Opti 2D Viewer menus and buttons

File menu

button
Open (ctrl+O) Opens an existing graph data file. Select the file from the Open dialog
box.
Add Opens the Opti 2DViewer dialog box. Add existing graphs to the graph
layout.
Export to BPM - Export a file from Opti 2DViewer in *bpm format.
Export to EMF - Export a file from Opti 2DViewer in *emf format.
Print (ctrl+P) Prints the active project.
Recent file - Lists the most recent files that you worked on.
Exit - Closes Opti 2DViewer.
Edit menu

button
Copy (ctrl-C) Copies selected devices and places them on the clipboard. The selected
devices remain in the active file.
Axix Color - Opens the Color dialog box. You can change the axix color in the layout
window.
Graph Opens the Graph Wave Properties dialog box. You can change
properties property settings for the graph window.
89
Curve menu
Edit menu Toolbar Description

item button
Set Visible - Hides/displays curve in graph view.
Edit Data Opens Data Editor dialog box that displays curve data.
Save Curve To - Opens the Save As dialog box to save the 2D graph file as a *2dg file.
Properties Opens the Graph Properties dialog box. You can change the settings for
the curve in the graph and select curves to display/hide in the graph view.
View menu

item button
Main Toolbar - Select to hide/display the Main toolbar.
Curves Toolbar - Select to hide/display the Curves toolbar.
Status Toolbar - Select to hide/display the Status toolbar.
Help menu

item button
Help Topic - Opens Help dialog box for Opti 2D Viewer.
Help Index - Opens Help dialog box with Index listing for Opti 2D Viewer.
About Select to open the About Opti 2D Viewer dialog box. Displays version
number, modules, copyright information, and contact information.
90
Opti 2D Viewer Graph toolbox

Opti 2D Viwer Graph toolbox
Tools can be separated into three groups:
Positioning tools: Select, Pan, and Zoom
Measurement tools: Tracer, Difference Tracer
Marker tools: Label, Marker, and Region
To access the Graph toolbox, right-click in the graph view. Most graph
editing/viewing/organizing capabilities are accessible using the toolbox.
Figure 59 Graph toolbox - without graphs loaded
Figure 60 Graph toolbox - with graphs loaded
To access the Graph toolbox, right-click inside the Opti 2D Viewer graph window.
Note: If there are no graphs loaded, several items are disabled.
The first two rows in the Graph toolbox are tools used for precise data examination.
The third row contains items for showing or hiding grid and mesh, and for
displaying/hiding the Info window and Data browser window.
To enter specifications for a Label, Marker, Tracer, Difference Tracer, or Region

before creating them in the Opti 2D Viewer window, press Ctrl and click on the tool.
The properties dialog box for the tool appears, where you can change the
specifications.
Note: To close the properties dialog box without making the changes, click
Cancel.
To select labels, markers, regions and axes in the current graph view:
• use the Select tool and click on the item in the graph view, or;
91
• use the Select tool, click on an item in the graph view and press the
Tab key to scroll through other items. If no object is selected, the X-
axis is highlighted.
When an object in the graph view is selected, it is highlighted in the color specified in
the properties dialog box of the object.
To delete an object from the current graph view, select the object and press Del.
Graph tools
Tool Toolbar Description

button
Select Allows you to manipulate and move most of the objects on the graph.
Note: To edit the properties of an object, double click the object in the graph
view.
Pan Allows you to pan from side to side in the graph display to see parts of the
graph that may not be visible at the existing Zoom level or resolution.
To pan, click to grab the display, and move the cursor from side to side.
Extra Features:
• If you press Ctrl while panning the graph display, accelerated pan is
engaged, which makes the pan much faster. This feature is useful when you
work under a high zoom factor.
Zoom Zoom in: You can select a rectangular region or click the graph view for a
proportional zoom in.
Extra Features:
Zoom out: Hold Ctrl and click to perform a zoom out.
Reset Zoom Level: Double click in the graph view to return to the defaul
Zoom level.
Label Allows you to place customized labels in the active graph view.
Marker Allows you to place markers in the active graph view. The markers can be
horizontal, vertical or both. The position of the markers is displayed in the
Info Window.
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Tool Toolbar Description

button
Tracer Allows you to select a curve and trace over it while viewing the exact
positional values on the curve in the Info Window. To select a differenct
curve, double click in the graph view.
Extra Features:
• You can freeze the tracer by pressing Ctrl. click to place a marker on the
curve at that position.
• Press Shift and drag the cursor to put the tracer itno a high-resolution trace
that iterates through each element in the source data array. This allows fora
very detailed scan of the data and to find peaks that the standard trace may
omit.
Trace Allows you to select a curve and trace over it while viewing the exact
positional values on the curve in the Info-Window. The Difference Tracer
differs from the Tracer tool because it allows you to create a second tracer
to compare values on either the same curve or on different curves. To select
the next curve, double click on the curve in the graph view.
Extra features:
• By pressing the Ctrl key, the tracer will freeze in its present position. Then
by pressing the left mouse button a marker will be placed on that position on
the curve.
• By pressing the Shift key, and dragging the mouse, the tracer jumps into
a high-resolution trace that iterates through each element in the source data
array. This allows for a very detailed scan of the data and to find peaks that
the standard trace may omit.
Region Allows you to select a horizontl, vertical or rectangular region in the active
graph view. The coordinates of the selection are displayed in the Info-
Window.
Grid Displays/hides the grid lines within the active graph view.
Mesh Activates the Mesh tool within the active graph view.
Info Displays/hides the Info-Window within the active graph view.
Browse Displays/hides the Data browser within the active graph view.
93
Print and Export files

Print
Opens the Print dialog box and allows you to print an image of the active graph view.
Figure 61 Print dialog box
94
Export to EMF file

Exports an image of the active graph view to a file in .emf format using the Save As
dialog box.
Figure 62 Print to EMF file
95
Export to BMP file

Exports an image of the active graph view to a file in .bmp format using the Save As
dialog box.
Figure 63 Print to BMP file
Copy
Copies an image of the active graph view to the clipboard.
96
Mode 3D
File menu

button
New (Ctrl+N) • Channel Waveguides Profile Designer
Open (Ctrl+O)
Save (Ctrl+S)
Print — Prints the active project. Define printing options by using the Print Setup command.
Print Preview — Generates a print preview of the active project.
Print Setup — Allows you to define the printer, set page size and orientation, and other print
options.
97
Edit menu

button
Allows you to undo the last change made in the file. You can undo all actions until
Undo
Cancels the last undo operation. Use the Redo command immediately after the
Redo
Undo command.
Removes all selected components and places them on the clipboard.

Cut (Ctrl+X)
Delete — Deletes all the selected components in the project layout.
Allows you to copy selected components to the clipboard. The selected components
Copy (Ctrl+C) remain in the active file.
Copies components from the clipboard and pastes them in a user-defined location.
Paste (Ctrl+V)
Duplicate — Duplicates the selected component in the project layout.
Select All — Selects all components in the active project layout.
Properties — Displays the properties dialog box for the selected component in the project layout.
View menu

button
Activates the Select tool when the Zoom In/Out tool is disabled. Enabled by default.
Select
Activates the Zoom In/Out tool. Allows you to increase or decrease the magnification
of the current layout view. To zoom in, click in the area you wish to magnify, and to
Zoom zoom out, click the right mouse button in the area you want to reduce in size. You
can also zoom in on a specific area of a component by selecting the area with the
mouse (click and drag to make the selection).
Cancels the last Zoom command.

Restore Zoom
Grid — Displays/hides the grid in the layout.
Device Info — Displays/hides the component information window.
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button
Toggles the display of the following toolbars:
Main toolbar
View Tools toolbar
Profile toolbar
Toolbars
Transformations toolbar
Mirror toolbar
Object Level toolbar
Draw Options toolbar
Status Bar — Displays/hides the Status Bar. When the Status Bar is displayed, there is a check
mark next to the Status Bar command in the View menu.
Set Toolbars — Applies default toolbar screen arrangement.

Default
Refresh Window — Refreshes the screen display.
99
Operations menu
Operations Toolbar Description

menu item button
Opens the Move dialog box. Allows you to move selected component(s) to another
Move Selection
position in the layout.
Mirror Generates a left-mirrored version of the selected component(s).

Horizontally to
Left
Mirror Generates a right-mirrored version of the selected component(s).

Horizontally to
Right
Flips the selected component(s) symmetrically along the horizontal axis.

Flip Horizontally
Flips the selected component(s) symmetrically along the vertical axis.

Flip Vertically
Rearranges the stacking order by moving the selected object to the front of the
screen. The top-most object will mask the area underneath if it overlaps with other
Move to Front
objects in your device. This means that the Refractive Index used by BPM 2D for
calculation is that of the top-most element.
Rearranges the stacking order by moving the selected object to the back of the
screen. Areas of the object overlapped by other objects will be masked out. This
Move to Back
means that the Refractive Index used by BPM 3D for calculation is that of the top-
most element.
Rearranges the drawing order by moving the selected component(s) one position
Move Forward
upward.
Rearranges the drawing order by moving the selected component(s) one position
Move Backward
backward.
View Layers — Allows you to manage the properties of layers in your project. For each layer, you
can change its name, thickness, and refractive index.
Wafer Data — Allows you to modify the thickness and refractive index of the substrate and the
cladding, as well as the length and width of the wafer.
Simulation menu

menu item button
Allows you to configure Alternating Direction Implicit (ADI) method simulations by
Global Data ADI specifying polarization, boundary conditions, the complex acceleration parameter,
Method
maximum error, and other parameters.
Allows you to configure Correlation Function Method (CFM) simulations by

Global Data CFM specifying the starting field, polarization, reference refractive index, and other
Method
parameters concerning BPM propagation and run time data display.
Allows you to add new design parameters, change the values of existing parameters,
Edit Parameters
and delete parameters.
100

menu item button
Allows you to define how to repeat automatically simulations in a loop-like manner.
Scan Parameters Because a number of parameters can be changed simultaneously in each loop
iteration, these parameters are called scan parameters.
Allows you to launch the Alternating Direction Implicit (ADI) method simulations.
Calculate ADI
Before starting the calculations, you can verify the global simulation data.
Allows you to launch the Correlation Function Method (CFM) simulation. Before
starting the calculations, you can verify the global simulation data. The Calculate
Calculate CFM
command also gives you access to the BPM 3D Simulator, a numerical application
within Mode Solver 3D.
Draw Tool menu
Draw Tool menu Toolbar Description

item button
Allows you to draw a waveguide profile in the active layout.
Waveguide Profile
Preferences menu

menu item button
Layout Options
Layout Options layout command
The Layout Options layout command allows you to control settings of the layout such
as the grid, layout axes, and display ratio.
This command can be accessed from:
· Preferences menu
Waveguide Colors layout command
The Waveguide Colors layout command allows you to control the colors of waveguide
frame, path line, and fill.
101
· Preferences menu
Snap to Grid layout command
The Snap to Grid layout command activates automatic connection between a newly-
drawn waveguide and a nearest grid point. With the command enabled, the start
position of the new waveguide is identical with the nearest grid point.
· Preferences menu
· Snap to Grid button
Layout Settings layout dialog box
Auto Scroll layout command
The Auto Scroll layout command activates automatic scrolling of the layout screen
while you draw a waveguide beyond the current view area.
· Preferences menu
Device Info layout dialog box
Duplicate on Mirror layout command
The Duplicate on Mirror layout command activates duplication of mirrored object. If

the Duplicate On Mirror button is enabled the Mirror command leaves the selected
object(s) intact and creates a mirror copy of the object(s) at the new position.
· Preferences menu
· Duplicate on Mirror button
Save Settings Now layout command
The Save Settings Now layout command saves current layout settings to an
initialization file right when the command is selected. These data will appear as
defaults when you open a new project.
· Preferences menu
Save Settings on Exit layout command
The Save Settings on Exit layout command saves current layout settings to an
initialization file upon exiting the layout environment.
102
· Preferences menu
Layout Designer Dialog boxes of Mode Solver 3D
Figure 64 New layout dialog box
The New layout dialog box allows you to choose between Channel Waveguides
Profile Designer or Refractive Index Distribution File as the new document type.
There are two options to choose from:
· Channel Waveguide Profile Designer
· Refractive Index File
Channel Waveguide Profile Designer

When you select this option, then you must fill the Initial Data layout dialog box.
The multilayer waveguide structure lies in the plane X-Z, Z being the propagation axis.
There is no limitation on the number of layers you can add. You enter also parameters
for the cladding and substrate. The layers lies between the cladding and the
substrate. They are numbered from zero to 'n', from bottom to top.
The Layer list allows for the multiple selection of layers (hold down SHIFT or CTRL
key as you select layers). You can also draw a marquee box around desired items to
select them. Any changes made to the layer properties will be registered after clicking
the Apply button.
You can use the Profile Drawing Tool to design the cross section of your device. The
waveguides profile lies in the plane X-Y, Z being the propagation axis. There is no
limitation on the number of waveguide profile you can add.
Refractive Index File

When you select this option, then you must supply a user Refractive Index Distribution
File to feed the Mode 3D simulator. The file format should follow the *.rid format that
is described in the Appendix of the manual. The origin of the axis is located at the
center of the index data file as shown on the drawing at the bottom.
103
Figure 65 Refractive Index file dialog box
· Refractive Index File - Enter the location and filename of the refractive index
distribution data file or click the browse button to locate it.
· Wafer - Used to define the wafer data. It's size is the maximum size of the device.
· Width - enter the wafer width in the transverse mesh direction.
· Thickness - enter the wafer thickness in micron.
104
Initial Data layout dialog box

The Initial Data layout dialog box allows you to enter initial data for drawing and
simulation.
Figure 66 Initial Data dialog box
You can change these values later. Data entry boxes that are marked by the star
symbol can accept symbolic names. When you enter a symbolic parameter name
instead of numeric data, the program looks for known names. If the parameter is not
recognized, the program considers it as a new parameter and prompts for its value.
The wafer width is along the discretization mesh in the X direction. Its thickness is
along the discretization mesh in the Y direction. The wafer has three elements:
substrate, cladding and layers. The layers contain waveguides. All refractive indices
can be complex numbers. On the screen you see an XY cross-section of the wafer
box. The X-axis is horizontal on the screen and the Y-axis is vertical on the screen.
105
Figure 67 Waveguide layers
cladding
Layer 2
Layer 1
Layer 0
0
substrate X
The default waveguide set up is used in drawing waveguides from the library.
The number of points in mesh determines the discretization in X and Y directions.
The wavelength is the vacuum wavelength of the light signal.
The wafer width is the mesh width in the X direction. The wafer thickness is the mesh
size in the Y direction, determined by the total thickness of the substrate, cladding and
layers. Initially, you only enter the thickness of substrate and cladding, the layers
thickness is determined later and depends on the layers structure.
106
Waveguide Profile layout dialog box

An assignment for the waveguide exist across all layers. You can customize the
waveguide profile by changing its width and refractive index in selected layers.
Figure 68 Waveguide Profile dialog box
Width - enter the waveguide width for the selected layers. To make changes effective,
press Apply Width.
Refractive index - enter the waveguide index for the selected layers. The index is a
complex number. To make changes effective, press Apply Index.
Apply - press this to apply width and index changes simultaneously.
Apply to All - press this to apply width and index changes to all layers.
Delete - press this to make a part of the profile non-existent for simulations (make its
width=0). For example, in a three-layer structure you can delete the waveguide in the
middle layer and keep it in other layers.
Waveguide center coordinate - waveguide position in the X-direction of the mesh

(horizontal on the screen).
107
Figure 69 Waveguide center coordinates
cladding
Layer 2 w2, r2
Layer 1 w1, r1
Layer 0 w0, r0
substrate
Device Info layout dialog box

The Device Info layout dialog box shows an overall view of the Wafer.
Figure 70 Device Info dialog box
You can switch between the three different options of the Device Info window by
clicking the appropriate tab.
Default Waveguide
The Default Waveguide tab has entries for the default waveguide width and refractive
index. These parameters are common to all layout elements for which the Global
option is enabled.
Work Area
It is assumed that the device layout is generated on a base substrate or Wafer. The
Wafer can be large enough to accommodate complicated layouts. However, the
whole Wafer may be too large to be displayed in one window. If this is the case, then
the editing window displays a part of the Wafer which we will refer as the Work Area.
The Work Area tab displays information about the work area size and position. The
108
size is controlled by the zoom value and is adjusted automatically. To change the
position, you enter the horizontal and vertical coordinates of the lower left corner of
the work area rectangle. The size of Work Area is adjusted automatically by the
program. The view area may not cover the whole Work Area. You can use the
scrollbars to move the display within the limits of the Work Area. You can use the jump
buttons to move the Work Area within the limits of the Wafer.
Device View
Device View tab displays the entire device and allows you to move the work area. The
work area is marked by a rectangle. Press and hold the left mouse button to position
the rectangle. After dragging the rectangle to the desired position, pressing the Apply
button will properly position the work area.
Move Selection layout dialog box

In the Move Selection layout dialog box, you specify where to move the selected
element on the wafer.
Figure 71 Move Selection dialog box
You can change the position of a selected element by using the following buttons:
· To Right--moves a selected element to the wafer right
· To Left--moves a selected element to the wafer left
· Center--moves a selected element to the center
The wafer and selection sizes are provided for your convenience.
109
Layers Structure layout dialog box

The Layers Structure layout dialog box allows you to modify the name, thickness, and
refractive index of each layer.
Figure 72 Layers Structure dialog box
The layers' structure is set up upon creation of the new designing file, when you can
add layers to form the structure. However, once the structure has been established,
you can only modify its selected properties, that is, the refractive index and thickness
of layers.
Thickness
The thickness of each layer can vary linearly along the propagation. Therefore, you
can enter the start and end thickness separately.
Refractive Index
The layer refractive index is a complex number.
The overall thickness of the wafer is conserved and space above the layers is filled
by the cladding material.
110
Wafer Data layout dialog box

In the Wafer Data layout dialog box, you can change wafer specific data.
Figure 73 Wafer Data dialog box
The wafer has three elements: substrate, cladding and layers. In this dialog box, you
only enter data concerning the substrate and the cladding.
Thickness
The thickness is along the discretization mesh in the Y direction
Refractive Index
Refractive indices can be complex numbers.
Width
The width is measured horizontally, along the X-axis on the layout screen.
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Initial Data layout dialog box

The Global Data: ADI Method dialog box displays parameters used in the Alternate
Direction Implicit (ADI) simulation method.
Figure 74 Global Data: ADI Method dialog box
Solver
The ADI Solver can be real or complex. The real solver deals with the real refractive
indices, while the complex solver deals with the complex indices.
Real: Use this option when you want to find an ideal lossless guided mode. The modal
index will be a real number.
Complex: Use this option when you expect the mode will have losses. The loss could
result either from lossy materials in the waveguide or from a leaky waveguide.
Waveguide
The waveguide can be assumed to be straight or bent over a radius. If the Bent option
is selected, then the solver automatically becomes complex. The conformal mapping
method is used to calculate modes for the Bent case.
Straight: Usual mode solving case.
Bent: This option will simulate a bent waveguide by a perturbation in the refractive
index profiles.
112
Mode
Scalar: The solver works in the simplest scalar mode.
Semi-Vector TE: The solver finds transverse electric modes.
Semi-Vector TM: The solver finds transverse magnetic modes.
Full Vector
For this option, you are able to select the initial excitation field: along the X- or Y-
direction.
Initial Excitation
Along X: If the initial field is parallel to the x axis, you can expect to find a quasi-TE
mode.
Along Y: If the initial field is parallel to the y axis, you can expect to find a quasi-TM
mode this way.

Enter the number of points along X and Y mesh directions.
X: The width of the calculation window will have a mesh with this number of points.
Y: The height of the calculation window will be meshed with number of points.
Wavelength [µm]
Enter the wavelength in microns.
Number of Modes
Maximum number of guided modes to be found.
Run button
Click Run to open the 3D Simulator.
113
Settings tab
Figure 75 Global Data: ADI Method dialog box—Settings tab
Starting Field
The starting field is for initial excitation of the waveguide. By default, the Gaussian
option is selected. You can modify the Gaussian field by clicking Properties and
entering your data in the Gaussian Starting field dialog box. You can select a
Gaussian field or supply a user-defined field from file.
Gaussian: In the Gaussian Starting Field, you can set up the Gaussian starting field
for the BPM simulation.
The Gaussian field is defined by
2
E ( x ) = exp – x------------
– x 0
-
 σ 
where x is the transverse layout coordinate, x0 is the center position, and σ is the field
halfwidth.
File: Use this option if you want to supply your own starting field from a file.
Properties button: Click Properties to open the Gauss Field Parameters dialog
box (see Figure 76).
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Figure 76 Gauss Field Parameters dialog box
Complex Acceleration Parameter (CAP)

This is an important parameter which controls the convergence and duration of the
iteration process. The parameter can vary from one iteration step to another. The
range of values of CAP is between -2 and -200. If CAP is close to -2, the
convergence is fast, but this might affect the stability. If CAP is closer to -200, then
the iteration process is very stable, however, the convergence is slow. We have
implemented a procedure with two acceleration parameters. This means that at each
odd step CAP = W 1 and at each step CAP = W 2 . By default W 1 = – 200 and
W 2 = – 2 which ensures a very stable and fast iteration. You can change only the
value of W 2 if any symptoms of instability appear. It could happen in some cases
where a small number of mesh points are chosen in the region with the highest
refractive index.
Wafer Data
Wafer Thickness: Total thickness of the wafer in µm (substrate + all layers +
cladding). Since it is the sum of multiple entities, this field is Read-only.
Wafer Width: Wafer width. Read-only.
Boundary Condition
The program can use three kind of boundary conditions. The first kind is the
homogeneous boundary conditions (Dirichlet), where the dependent variable
vanishes on all the boundaries. The second kind is the Neumann boundary
conditions, where all the normal derivatives of the dependent variable vanishes on the
boundaries. By default, Neumann boundary conditions are applied. The Transparent
boundary condition is the third option and is similar to the OptiBPM 3D method.
Homogeneous: Homogeneous boundary conditions.
Neumann: Neumann boundary conditions.
TBC: Transparent Boundary conditions.
Accuracy
Index Tolerance: The solver checks whether the mode index converges slower than
this tolerance number.
Field Tolerance: The solver checks a current mode field integral expression.
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Enter the number of points along X and Y mesh directions.
X: Number of points in the mesh in X-direction.
Y: Number of points in the mesh in Y-direction.
Wavelength [µm]
Enter the number in microns.
Number of Modes
Maximum number of modes you want to search for.
Gaussian Starting Field layout dialog box
In the Gaussian Starting Field layout dialog box, you set up the Gaussian starting field
for the BPM simulation.
The Gaussian field is defined by E(X)=exp[-((X-X0)/S)**2], where X is the transverse

layout coordinate, X0 is the center position, and S is the field halfwidth.
Positioning
Choose the automatic or user defined position of the field center X0. The Automatic
option puts the field center in the middle of a waveguide that is closest to the mesh
center. Only waveguides that are present at Z=0 are considered. The automatic field
halfwidth is equal to half of the waveguide width.
Coordinates in Mesh
Enter the center position X0 and the field halfwidth S.
In the Global Data layout dialog box, you configure the numerical simulations.
Global Data: CFM Method layout dialog box

In the Global Data dialog box, you can define the following:
· Starting Field
· Polarization
· Boundary Condition
· Reference Index
· Tilt At Start
· Wavelength
· Number Of Points In Mesh
· Mesh Cut Point Number
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· Propagation Step
· Number Of Displays
Starting Field
The starting field is the field distribution at the start of propagation. There are two
· Gaussian--initializes a Gaussian starting field and allows you to select the

distribution parameters.
· File--initializes a field from a user file in the *.f2d format.
Reference Refractive Index
The reference index is a constant refractive index used as a reference in the BPM 2D
· Auto--is an average refractive index over the starting index distribution in the
transverse mesh. The average index is recommended for general use.
· User--allows you to define your own reference index.
Conformal mapping
This option is available for correlation function method when only one waveguide is
defined.
· Activate - activate the conformal mapping mode.
· Radius - enter the bend radius in microns.
Correlation Function
· Nr of points - defines the number of times the correlation function between the
input and propagating field is calculated. The number of points in the correlation
function must be a power of two.
· Nr of steps per point - number of propagation steps made for each calculation of
the correlation function
Wavelength
Enter the wavelength in microns.
Wafer Thickness
This is only a reference display for choosing discretization. To change the thickness
value, select the Wafer Data option from the Wafer menu.
Polarization
Three polarization options are available:
· None (scalar) - use no polarization in simulation.
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· TE - transverse electric polarization.
· TM - transverse magnetic polarization.
Propagation Step
Enter the BPM propagation step size in microns.
Calculate - this option provides an automatic step size.
Enter a number greater than 18. The upper number of mesh points is not limited in
BPM_CAD and depends solely on the computer memory available. However, too
large a number of mesh points may lead to long computations and round-off errors.
Propagation Step
Enter the BPM propagation step size in microns.
· Calculate - this option provides an automatic step size.
Display and storage
Enter the number of propagation locations used for display in run-time graphics and
for storage in output files. The actual number is increased by 1, because the starting
location is added.
· Mesh cut point nr - you can select two cross-sections (one in XZ plane, one in the
YZ plane) to be displayed when calculations are running.
· Nr of displays - number of displays and stored cross-sections
Note: The Global Data dialog box also opens when you select the Calculate command
from the Simulation menu.
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Edit Parameters dialog box

The Edit Parameters dialog box helps you to manage symbolic variables that can be
used in calculations and design.
The symbolic variables are on the list of variables that is kept by the program. You
can modify the list of variables by changing their values, adding variables, or deleting
variables.
Name
Enter the name of the variable.
Value
Enter the value of the variable.
You can edit an existing variable from the list by clicking it.
Add/Apply
The selected variable is added to the list.
Delete
The selected variable is deleted from the list.
Clear All
Delete all variable from the list.
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Scan Parameters layout dialog box

The Scan Parameters command opens the Scan Parameters dialog box which allows
you to define how to repeat automatically simulations in a loop-like manner. Since in
each loop iteration, a number of parameters can be changed simultaneously, these
parameters are called scan parameters.
Figure 78 Scan Parameters dialog box
Which parameters can be scanned

As scan parameters, you can use any of the symbolic parameters from the list of
symbolic parameters. The list may contain parameters that are not directly related to
waveguides and the design parameters (for example, the wavelength, waveguide
refractive index, start and end waveguide width etc). Among the design parameters,
there is a group of parameters that can be used for scanning. The scanable
parameters are marked by a star symbol on the data entry dialog boxes. For example,
in the Global Data dialog box, the Wavelength data entry is marked by the star
symbol. Assume that you do not have a parameter Lambda on your list of variables.
If you type Lambda as the Global Data entry, instead of providing a number, the
program prompts you to accept Lambda as a new parameter that can vary and adds
its name and value to the list of symbolic parameters. All existing scanable
parameters are listed as unassigned parameters in the Scan Parameters dialog box.
The Scan Parameters dialog box consists of two main sections: in the upper section,
you configure the iterations; in the lower section, you work with a spreadsheet for
establishing what values of the parameters are used in each iteration.
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Unassigned Parameters
Lists the parameters that can be used for the scan calculations.
Number Of Iterations
Displays the number of iterations in the loop. The iteration number defines the number
of spreadsheet rows.
Ask For End Values
When enabled, prompts for end values of scanned parameters in the spreadsheet.
Scanned Parameters
Allows you to add a parameter from the Unassigned Parameters list or remove
parameter column from the spreadsheet. Adding a parameter creates a
corresponding column in the spreadsheet.
Leading Parameter
Allows you to assign a leading parameter among the scanned parameters that will be
displayed in the Report dialog box during the simulations.
In Between
Fills in blank rows between selected start and end rows by using a linear, logarithm,
or (1-log) function. The start and end rows must not be blank.
Copy
Copies a first value from spreadsheet selection to the entire selection.
Delete
Deletes a selection.
Fill Down
Fills down the column linearly using the linear step taken from first two values.
Recalc
Recalculates mathematical expressions used in the spreadsheet. For example, you

can simultaneously change the wavelength, width, or refractive index of a waveguide.
The resulting data will be identified by the corresponding iteration number. You
designate a parameter as the leading parameter. The resulting data will be identified
by the iterated values of that leading parameter. The Recalc option is useful for the
displaying of results.
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Layout Settings layout dialog box

The Layout Options layout dialog box allows you to set parameters of the device
layout.
Figure 79 Layout Settings dialog box
The Layout Settings dialog box controls settings affecting the way BPM_CAD
displays objects on the screen. The grid and coordinate axes can be displayed with
diverse line styles and colors. You can adjust the grid spacing in both directions. The
coordinate axes can be shown or hidden. Other options are for layout background
(paper) color and the display ratio.
Grid
The grid helps to position layout elements. You customize its type, line style, color,
and spacing.
· Type - four options are available: no grid, dot grid, X lines, Z lines, and XZ lines.
The X lines are vertical on the screen and the Z lines are horizontal.
· Line style - changes the line style: solid, dash, dot, dash-dot, and dash-dot-dot
· Color - color of the grid
· Print - show the grid in printed output
· Spacing - grid spacing in the Z and X direction. The spacing is measured in units
of [0.01um].
Layout axes
The Z-axis is the propagation axis and is horizontal on the screen. The X-axis is the
transverse mesh axis and is vertical on the screen. The axes are shown on the layout:
the vertical X-axis is on the left-most position of the wafer while the horizontal Z-axis
is shown in the center of the wafer.
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· Line width: between 1 and 10 in arbitrary units. The default value is 1.
· Line style - the same options as for the grid line style
· Color - axes color
· Print - show the layout axes in printed output
· Show - show the layout axes
· Background color: color for the wafer background
Display ratio
It is sometimes convenient to display the axes with different scales. Distances

involved in BPM simulations are usually long compared to transverse waveguide
variations. The program checks whether the user-defined display ratio is not in conflict
with the given mesh density. In the case of conflict, the program automatically resizes
the grid.
Waveguide Colors layout dialog box

The Waveguide Colors layout dialog box allows you to customize waveguide colors
displayed on screen.
Figure 80 Waveguide Colors dialog box
Frame color
Defines the color of waveguide boundaries.
Path color
Defines the color of the waveguide path line.
Fill color
Defines the waveguide color.
Fill waveguide
Enables or disables the filling of waveguides with the fill color.
123
Notes:
124
User Guide of View 3D
Commands of View 3D
File menu
Open
The Open command opens an existing data file.
Export Data in View 3D Format
The Export Data in View 3D Format command exports the display data in the View 3D
file format.
Export Data in Generic Format
The Export Data in Generic Format command exports the display data in the generic
file format that is a three-column text data format.
Print
The Print command prints the screen.
Print Setup
The Print Setup command allows you to define the printer, to set the page size and
orientation, and to choose other printing options.
Print Preference
The Print Preferences command allows you to chose graphics options in printing from
the screen.
Print to EMF
The Print To EMF command allows you to print the screen to an enhanced metafile
(EMF).
Print to BMP
The Print To BMP command allows you to print the screen to a bitmap (BMP) file.
Exit
The Exit command allows you to exit the program. The program prompts for
confirmation.
125
Edit menu
Copy
The Copy command copies the selected graph to the clipboard.
· Edit menu
· Copy button
Properties
The Properties command allows you to define the display of the contour lines, the
color gradation, the axes, etc.
· Edit menu
· Right mouse button on the graph
Display Data as Amplitude
The Display Data As Amplitude command displays the propagating signal as field
amplitude. This command is not available during simulations.
· Edit menu
Display Data as Intensity
The Display Data As Intensity command displays the propagating signal as Intensity.
This command is not available during simulations.
· Edit menu
Display Data as dB
The Display Data As dB command displays the propagating signal in the decibel
scale. This command is not available during simulations.
· Edit menu
Restore Defaults
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The Restore Defaults command allows you to restore the default settings of the
simulator.
· Edit menu
View menu
Single Quadrant
The Single Quadrant command expands the view of a selected quadrant to the full
screen view.
· View menu
· F2 key
View Point
The View Point command allows you to make changes of the point of view of a three
dimensional graphics.
· View menu
Toolbars menu
The Toolbars command allows you to toggle the display of the following toolbars:
Main toolbar:
The Main toolbar commands are: Copy, Print, About, and Help.
3D Tools toolbar:
The 3D Tools toolbar commands are: Turn Left, Turn Right, Turn Down, Turn Up,
Zoom In, and Zoom Out.
Axes Tools toolbar:
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The toolbar commands are: X-Axis, Y-Axis, and Z-Axis.
Display Tools toolbar:
The Display Tools toolbar commands are: Show Surface, Show Topography, and
Show Cube.
Ratio Tools toolbar:
The toolbar commands are: Increase Height, Decrease Height, Increase Depth, and
Decrease Depth. The Decrease/Increase commands can only be accessed from the
toolbar.
The Toolbars command can be accessed from:
· View menu, after pausing the simulation
Status Bar menu

The Status Bar command toggles the display of the Status Bar.
· View menu, after pausing the simulation
Refresh Window command
Refresh Window refreshes the display window.
· View menu
Change X and Y Cut
The Change X and Y Cut command is for selecting the X and Y cuts for display and
export.
· View menu
· XY Cuts Tools toolbar
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Complex Field
The 3D Complex Field command is used to select what part of a complex field is to
be displayed.
You may select between the real part, imaginary part, amplitude, or phase of the
complex field.
· View menu
3D Tools
Turn Left command: Turns left a 3D display.
· View menu, View Point command
· Turn Left button
Turn Right command: Turns right a 3D display.
· Turn Right button
Turn Down command: Turns down a 3D display.
· Turn Down button
Turn Up command: Turns up a 3D display.
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· Turn Up button
Zoom In and Zoom Out commands: Zoom the selected display.
· Zoom In button and Zoom Out button
Tip: Turning and moving a 3D display using the mouse
You can turn a 3D display by pressing the Ctrl key on the keyboard and
simultaneously clicking-and-dragging with the left mouse button.
You can move a 3D display by pressing the Shift key on the keyboard and
simultaneously clicking-and dragging with the left mouse button.
For the above mouse-controlled operations, the display turns automatically into a 3D
cube. After finishing the operations you can revert to a 3D surface display, or
topography display by using the display tools commands.
Display Tools
The Display Tools commands allow you to see 3D data in surface and topographic
views, as well as to turn the display into a 3D cube for manipulations.
Show Surface command: displays a 3D surface plot
· Show Surface button:
Show Topography command: displays a 2D, topographic plot of 3D data
· Show Topography button:
Show Cube command: displays a 3D cube contouring 3D data surface
· Show Cube button:
Ratio Tools
130
The Ratio Tools commands allow you to manipulate 3D displays by changing the
height and depth scales.
Increase Height command: increases the scale of the Z-axis of the display
· Increase Height button
Decrease Height command: decreases the scale of the Z-axis of the display
· Decrease Height button
Increase Depth command: increases the scale of the Y-axis of the display
· Increase Depth button
Decrease Depth command: decreases the scale of the Y-axis of the display
· Decrease Depth button
Note that the X,Y, and Z axes of a 3D display do not correspond to the layout
coordinates. For example, the Y-axis is usually the distance coordinate (Z-axis in the
layout coordinates).
Settings menu
Buffered Drawing
The Buffered Drawing command activates redrawing or modifying of the display

during the simulation. When the command is enabled, the program adds only the last
step to the graph. When the command is disabled, the program redraws the display
at every run. By default, the command is enabled.
· Settings menu
Colors
The Colors command allows you to select colors of the display.
· Settings menu
Palette
The Palette command allows you to choose the color options.
131
· Settings menu
X-Axis
The X-Axis command allows you to define settings of the X-axis.
· Settings menu
Y-Axis
The Y-Axis command allows you to define settings of the Y-axis.
· Settings menu
Z-Axis command
The Z-Axis simulator command allows you to define settings of the Z-axis.
· Settings menu
Title
The Title command allows you to define the display title.
· Settings menu
Save Settings Now
The Save Settings Now layout command saves current layout settings to an
initialization file right when the command is selected. These data will be used as
defaults when you open a new project.
· Settings menu
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Dialog boxes of View 3D

Topography Properties dialog box
The Topography Properties dialog box is used for selecting topographic display
options.
Figure 81 Topography Properties dialog box
Contour Lines Only
Enables the displaying of contours of the graph.
Number of Levels
Enter the number of contour lines between 1 and 99.
Show color gradation
Displays the color scale on the graph.
Show Axes
Displays the graph axes.
The following options are available when the Contour Lines Only option is not
checked:
Use Fast Drawing
Disables high resolution drawing for the topographic view.
Use Inverse Color Mapping
Enables the option of using inverted color mapping.
133
Surface Properties dialog box

The Surface Properties dialog box is used for setting options of three dimensional
surfaces.
Figure 82 Surface Properties dialog box
Surface Type
One of the following seven types of 3D surfaces can be chosen:
Points - Display only data points.
Wire Frames - Display data points connected by lines.
Hidden Lines - Display data points, connected by lines. Overlapping surface parts are
not shown.
Fast Hidden lines - Display as Hidden Lines. Less options are available.
Height Color Coding - Display surface with color-coded height The coding is from
minimum to maximum values of the color palette.
Gouraud Shading - Display surface with shading and light source effects. Solid
modeling of the surface.
Fast Gouraud Shading - Display as Gouraud shading. Less options are available.
Surface Options
You can display the upper or lower surface.
Topographic Contour Lines
134
Options for displaying the contour lines: None, On Top, At Bottom. The contour lines
are displayed in addition to the three dimensional graphs.
Display Options
Options for displaying axes and graph lines.
Print Preferences dialog box

The Print Preferences dialog box allows you to configure the printing of the graphics.
Figure 83 Print Preferences dialog box
Print Background as White
Enables printing of the graphic background. By default, the background is not printed,
that is, it is printed as white.
Line Thickness Factor
The line thickness factor can vary between 1 and 20. The default value is 1.
Text Thickness Factor
The outline text thickness factor can vary between 1 and 20. The default value is 2.
135
Colors Selection dialog box

The Colors Selection dialog box enables you to customize the colors of graphics
displayed on the screen. Custom colors are available.
Figure 84 Colors Selection dialog box
Press the corresponding button to select the color. The various options for color
selection are:
Background
Selects the background color for the quadrant.
Text
Selects the title color of the graph.
Axes
Selects the color for the axes and their captions.
Graph Lines
Selects the color for the graph lines (for surface, topography or cube). Lines colors
are displayed only for one of the following surface types: Points, wire frame, fast
hidden lines and hidden lines.
Lower Surface
Selects the color of the lower surface of a graph (for surface, topography or cube).
This option is available only for one of the following surface types: hidden lines, fast
Gouraud shading and Gouraud shading.
E Field
Selects the color of the Electric Field (for 2D cut quadrant).

Neff
Selects the color of the Effective Index (for 2D cut quadrant).
136
Palette Selection dialog box

The Palette Selection dialog box allows you to select a color palette used in the
display of graphics. The Palette is used only for the topographic view and in one of
the following surface types: height colors coding, fast Gouraud shading and Gouraud
shading.
Figure 85 Palette Selection dialog box
Palette Choice
Selects one of the following predefined color palettes: Gray scale, Dark Red, Light
Red, Dark Green, Light Green, Dark Blue, Light Blue, Cyan, Yellow, Spectrum,
Rainbow, and Custom.
Custom Palette Settings
For defining a custom palette you specify starting and ending RGB colors. The color
values are between 0 and 255.
Preview
Enables previewing of the custom palette before applying it.
137
X-Axis dialog box
Figure 86 X-Axis dialog box
The X-Axis dialog box displays settings for the range, ticks, labels, and captions of
coordinate axes.
Minimum and Maximum Values
Sets the upper and lower limits for the X-axis.
Major and Minor Tics
Displays tick marks at major and minor intervals.
Labels
The number format for axis number labels offers the following options:
· Exponent (example 1.2E02)
· Floating (example 120.00; never displays exponents)
· General (example 120.00; this format differs from Floating for numbers with many
digits. In such cases, the General format becomes the Exponent format)
138
· Power (example 1.2x102)
Note: The default number format is Floating.
The number of displayed digits is from 1 to 15.
The Orientation option selects the orientation of labels as perpendicular or parallel to

the axis.
Captions
Allows the selection of text, orientation, and scale factor.
· Text: Enter the axis title.
· Symbol: Press this button to see the list of available symbols. For introducing
symbols into the text, a TEX-like convention is applied.
· Orientation: The caption orientation can be set parallel or perpendicular to the

axis.
· Scale Factor: Enter the scale factor for the caption. The factor may vary between
0.1 and 0.4.
Y-Axis dialog box

The Y-Axis dialog box displays settings for the range, ticks, labels, and captions of
coordinate axes.
139
Figure 87 Y-axis dialog box
Sets the upper and lower limits for the Y-axis.
Labels
140

the axis.
Captions

axis.
0.1 and 0.4.
Z-Axis dialog box

The Z-Axis dialog box displays settings for the range, ticks, labels, and captions of
coordinate axes.
Figure 88 Z-Axis dialog box
141
Sets the upper and lower limits for the Z-axis.
Enable Z Clipping
Enables clipping of those parts of the graph that are out of range in the Z-direction.
Labels

the axis.
Captions

axis.
0.1 and 0.4.
142
Title dialog box

The Title dialog box allows you to set the title text, position, and scale factor of the
graph title.
Figure 89 Title dialog box
Caption
Enter the graph title.
Symbol
Press this button to see the list of available symbols. For introducing symbols into the
text, a TEX-like convention is applied.
X Position
Horizontal position of the graph title. The range is between 0 and 1000 in normalized
units.
Y Position
Vertical position of the graph title. The range is between 0 and 1000 in normalized
units.
Scale Factor
Arbitrary scaling size factor for the graph title. The factor can be from 0.1 to 4. The
default value is 1.
143
View Point dialog box

The View Point dialog box allows you to set the angles, distance, zoom, and ratio
values in 3D viewing.
Figure 90 View Point dialog box
Camera Settings
The camera position is the position of the observer. It is assumed that the camera
position is determined in spherical coordinates, where you supply two angles and a
radius to calculate its position.
Theta
Angle measured from the x-z plane of the graph. It varies from 0 to 360 degrees.
Phi
Angle measured from the x-y plane of the graph. It varies from -90 to 90 degrees.
Rho
Distance measured from the origin of the graph. It varies from 0 to 60 in arbitrary
units.
Zoom
The zoom factor in camera settings ranges from 0.1 to 8 in arbitrary units.
Ratio
You can change the height ratio and the depth ratio of the display. Both ratio values
are referred to a non-deformed graph.
Height Ratio
144
Ratio of the vertical axis to the horizontal axes. Enter a value between 0.1 and 3.0.
Depth Ratio
Ratio of the Z-axis to the other axes. Enter a value between 0.1 and 3.0.
X Cut and Y Cut dialog box

The X Cut and Y Cut dialog box is used to control the cuts of a selected 3D display.
Figure 91 X Cut and Y Cut dialog box
You can select a cross-section of the three-dimensional graph to be displayed in two

dimensions. An X-cut refers to two-dimensional slices that are perpendicular to the
x-axis. A Y-cut refers to two-dimensional slices that are perpendicular to the y-axis.
Type of List
Select X- or Y-cut data for listing in the dialog box. You can scroll the list and select
the cut position.
Export selection
Save selected cut data to a file. The exported file is automatically named including
the mesh number position. For example, an X-cut at the Xmin position is numbered
0, next x-position is numbered 1, etc. The same number naming extension rule
applies to Y-cuts.
145
Notes:
146
OPTITOOLS — CODE V CONVERTER
Code V Converter
OptiBPM is a software for waveguide optics, and is optimized for analysis of

structures that are of size (in the transverse plane) comparable to an optical
wavelength. Although it is theoretically possible to analyze free space or bulk optical
components such as lenses and mirrors by the solution of Maxwell's equations,
generally it is more practical to make use of approximations commonly used in ray
optics. Optiwave does not supply ray optics software, but OptiBPM Tools has a utility
to convert the data of another software, Code V ™ of Optical Research Associates.
In Code V, you can analyze bulk optics such as mirrors and lenses using ray tracing
techniques. If at some part of the system, the rays converge to a focus and the light
enters an optical waveguide, Code V can be used together with OptiBPM to analyze
the whole system. Code V can use ray tracing to determine the optical field
distribution at the focal point, and the information can be sent to a file. The Code V
Converter Utility in OptiBPM Tools can be used to convert the output file from Code V
to another format that OptiBPM can read as input to the beginning of a waveguide.
OptiBPM can analyze the subsequent waveguide part of the system, and estimate the
coupling loss on input. If the light needs to leave the waveguide and reenter a lens
system, the Code V converter can convert the output near-field-pattern to a form that
Code V can accept as input to a ray tracing problem.
You can access the Code V converter by clicking Tools > Code V Converter
(see Figure 92).
Figure 92 Code V Converter dialog box
147
Conversion
CODE V ==> OptiBPM: specifies conversion from CODE V format to OptiBPM.
OptiBPM ==> CODE V: specifies conversion from OptiBPM format to CODE V.
Note: Code V keeps wavelength information, but OptiBPM does not. Therefore,
on converting from OptiBPM to Code V it is necessary to supply this information
in the enabled Wavelength field.
Wavelength (nm): wavelength parameter stored in the CODE V file.
Input File: (CODE V format expected): displays the name of input file. Click
Browse to load a file from a folder.
Output file: displays the name of the output file. Click Browse to load a file from a
folder.
Progress bar: displays the percentage of operation completed.
Convert: click to start file conversion.
Help: click to open on-line help.
Close: click to close the dialog box.
After you enter the filenames that hold the input and output data, click Convert. If the
conversion is successful, the message shown in appears.
Figure 93 Successful conversion dialog box
148
Data format
The data format for the OptiBPM compatible file is the standard Optiwave .f3d file
format (see “Data file formats” on page 181 for file definitions).
The information from Code V is contained in a text file with the default file
extension .dat. Any line starting with an exclamation (!) is a comment.
Note: The file may start with any number of comments.
The next several lines contain information about the data. Each of these lines begins
with a label describing the information on the line. The label ends with a colon (:). The
information pertaining to the label follows the colon. White space (at least two spaces)
will appear between the colon and the following data item and between the data items
on the line. These may appear in any order. It is assumed that the first row that is not
a comment (starts with a !) or a label (contains a colon) is the first row of data.
The labels found in Table 1 are currently defined.
Table 1 Data formats - Defined labels
Label Definition
Datatype Type of data
Wavelength Wavelength units
Grid spacing x-spacing, y-spacing units
Array size x-size, y-size
Coordinates x, y, z units
Direction lmn
Datatype may be Complex or Real.

Units are specified as two-character mnemonics, as shown in the following table:
nm nanometers
mm millimeters
cm centimeters
in inches
Coordinates are the (x,y,z) coordinates of the center of the grid with respect to
a reference surface. The direction is the set of direction cosines (l,m,n) defining the
direction of the beam with respect to the reference surface. Both of these are optional
and would normally be (0,0,0) and (0,0,1).
149
An example illustrating the file format of Code V output is shown in Table 2.
Table 2 Code V optical field distribution.
! CODE V Real optical field data
Datatype Real
Wavelength 1550.0 nm
Grid spacing .00013; .00013 mm
Array size 4x4
.27 .36e0 .39 2.1e-1
.45 .76 .78 .59
.35 .49 .55 .46
.12 .34 .67 .45
The optical field data follows the header information. All the optical field data is
assumed to lie on a regular grid specified by the grid spacing and grid size. Many of
the calculations in CODE V assume that the grid is square and the grid size is a power
of 2 (for example, 32, 64, 128,). However, this is not universal, so both the X and Y
grid spacings and sizes are specified. All of the data is in a spreadsheet type of format
and may be space delimited (single space) or tab delimited (it is designed to be
imported/exported into Microsoft Excel). Therefore, all the values for a single row
must be on the same line. The data may be in integer, fixed-decimal, or floating-point
format.
In the example shown in Table 2, the first line is a comment. The second line specifies
that this is real data (e.g., field intensity), so there is one value per grid point. The third
line gives the wavelength and the units. The example in Table 2 uses nanometers for
the units, but other units may be used as long as they are specified. The fourth line
gives the X and Y grid spacings and the units. The fifth line gives the X and Y arrays
sizes. Note that numbers may be integer, fixed-decimal, or floating-point notation, and
they may be mixed. Spaces or tabs are used to separate adjacent numbers. The data
starts on the line following the last label. If M and N are the X and Y array sizes, there
must be M numbers in each row and N rows of data. The coordinate convention used
is that the origin is in the center of the grid and the upper right hand quadrant is
(+X,+Y). The optical axis is the Z axis, and the light travels in the +Z direction. The
observer is looking towards the source of the light (the opposite direction of the light
propagation).
The data for a complex array looks very similar, except that two adjacent numbers,
real and imaginary, are included for each grid point. Thus, for a 4 x 4 grid, there are 4
rows each containing 8 numbers.
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OPTITOOLS — EXFO OWA CONVERTER
EXFO OWA Converter
The OWA converter is a software module used to convert files created by the EXFO
OWA 9500 Optical Waveguide Analyser into Optiwave file format. The EXFO
instrument is used to scan the refractive index of a waveguide facet at a specific
wavelength, 656nm. The results of the scan are stored in an EXFO proprietary format
within a file. The OWA Converter translates the data into an Optiwave refractive index
data file so that the waveguide can be numerically analyzed within the Optiwave mode
solver. Apart from the data format transformation, the converter has two additional
functions
• The OWA converter enables approximation of the refractive index distribution at
a user specified wavelength, which may be different from the wavelength the
OWA instrument uses for index profile scanning.
• The OWA converter allows the original index scan mesh and window to be
changed. This function is necessary because the observation window and mesh
used in the measurement is often not convenient for calculation. To perform
successful modal analysis, the waveguide facet observation window may need to
be clipped or extended, and the mesh may need to be adjusted to a finer or more
coarse level.
Typical workflow in using the OWA Converter

1 User performs measurements on EXFO OWA 9500 and obtains refractive
index data.
2 User converts the obtained data file into a refractive index file readable by
Optiwave applications.
a. Launch Component Utilities.
b. Launch the OWA Converter.
c. Specify input EXFO OWA data file (.rri) and the output Optiwave (.rid) file
name.
d. Load the EXFO OWA data file
e. View the refractive index distribution. If the OWA observation window is
too big or too small, clip or extend the region to a size appropriate for
holding the optical field. Change discretization of mesh if necessary.
f. If extrapolation to another wavelength is desired, select Sellmeier's
approximation parameters and extrapolation wavelength.
g. Convert and save the data.
3 Launch Optiwave application (i.e. mode solver) and use the file containing the
refractive index distribution as needed.
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Region Selection and Expansion
Selected Region panel

The grey rectangle in the centre of the viewing region will be exported. Use the
mouse to move or extend the rectangle, or enter the coordinates directly into the fields
in the Selected Region panel. Choosing an area smaller than the view display will clip
the measured data out of the calculation.
Data Points In Selected Region panel

The integers in the read only fields in this panel indicate the number of data points of
the original data set that are enclosed by the selected rectangle. This number will give
some idea regarding the accuracy of the interpolation.
Final Mesh Size panel

Use these fields for adjusting the mesh of the new file to the desired level. Since the
new mesh does not coincide with the old one, the new mesh points are assigned on
a nearest-to-original-mesh-point basis. In this simple algorithm depicted in the figure
below, the closest original mesh point defines the refractive index on the new mesh.
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Figure 94 Original mesh (black) is different from the new mesh (red). The values on the red mesh are
defined by the closest 'black' mesh point.
Region Expansion panel

If the original refractive index measurement was done over a region too small to hold
the optical field, it will be necessary to extend the data beyond the original boundaries.
This situation might occur in a waveguide measurement with low index contrast. The
measurement is concentrated in the area of the waveguide, but the field extends far
into the cladding. Some simple form of extrapolation is desirable. The OWA
Converter uses the following rule:
Figure 95 Expansion of the region. The inner grey rectangle is exported on a larger domain (outer rectangle
on the left). The unknown values outside the measured boundary are filled up with the boundary values as
shown. B1, B2, B3 and B4 are value arrays of the refractive index on the horizontal and vertical boundaries,
C1…C4 are single values of the refractive index in the corners of the the scanned domain. An example of the
expansion is shown on the right. The Grey shaded region is the last boundary layer of the original scanned
data.
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In the Region Expansion panel, specify the number of mesh points to extend on the
top, bottom, left, and right sides.
Wavelength Extrapolation by Sellmeier formula

This is an optional step. To perform the extrapolation from the measurement
wavelength to another working wavelength, go to the OWA Converter dialog box. In
this dialog, select the Sellmeier Extrapolation check box. Then click on Parameters,
to open the Sellmeier Parameters dialog box.
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Host Panel
Select a material (e.g. Silica) in the library list in the window on the left. Click on Load
to load the Silica parameters into the Host Panel. Alternatively, this panel can be used
to create a new material in the library. To do this, enter the appropriate numbers in
the fields, enter a new (unique) name, and click Save. Once created, these
parameters can be later recalled as described above, by selecting the library name
and clicking on Load.
Doped Panel
This panel works the same way as the Host Panel, but it enters the algorithm in a
different place. See the discussion below for the details.
Output Wavelength
The wavelength at which the waveguide will be used. In general, this is different from
the wavelength used by the OWA 9500 instrument when it makes the measurement.
See the following discussion for details on how this number is used in the algorithm.
Sellmeier Extrapolation Technical Background

The terminology used in the dialog boxes (namely host, doped) is taken from the
optical telecommunication fibers. The fibres are often made from silica glasses. The
high purity glass is called the host material or substrate. Its bulk refractive index is
usually the fiber cladding refractive index. To change the refractive index of a material,
the material can have dopants added to it. For example, adding germanium to pure
silica can result in an increase in the refractive index, while adding fluorine reduces it.
The refractive index of doped material can be determined by the linear relationship
between the doped material's mole percentage and permittivity.
Assume that n 0 is the refractive index of the host material and n 1 is the refractive
index of m 1 mole-percentage doped material. Then, the refractive index n of m
mole-percentage doped material can be interpolated as:
2 2 m 2 2
n = n0 + ------ ( n 1 – n 0 ) (1)
m1
The square of the index and not the index itself is linearly interpolated. The model
assumes that the dopants contribute to the electric displacement D in response to an
applied fieldE in proportion to the mole fraction of the dopant. The coefficient of
2
proportion of D to E is the permittivity, proportional to n . Note that this formula can
also extrapolate (the case where m > m 1 ).
When the refractive index at a central wavelength λ 0 , n ( λ 0 ) , and the host and
dopant material dispersion curves, n host ( λ ) and n dopant ( λ ) are defined, the
dependence of the refractive index with wavelength, n ( λ ) , is calculated based on the
following equation:
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2 2
2 n ( λ 0 ) – n host ( λ 0 )
- ⋅ [ n 2dopant ( λ ) – n 2host ( λ ) ]
n ( λ ) = n host ( λ ) + ------------------------------------------------------- (2)
2 2
n dopant ( λ 0 ) – n host ( λ 0 )
This equation is the same as Equation 1, with the fraction m ⁄ m1 estimated by

comparing, at the centre wavelength λ 0 , the refractive index of the given material
with the index of a doped material with known Sellmeier coefficients ( n dopant ). OWA
Convertor uses Equation 2 to handle the case where the Sellmeier coefficients are
known for material of just one doping concentration. If the material in question has
the same dopant, but with an unknown concentration, the fraction in Equation 2 will
estimate the concentration by comparing the given index n ( λ 0 ) with the reference
index n dopant ( λ 0 ) . With the doping concentration estimated this way, the refractive
index at other wavelengths is accurately estimated by Equation 2.
The functions n host ( λ ) and n dopant ( λ ) are often one of the Sellmeier's formulas.
For example, the following 3 term formula is suitable for fused silica throughout the
wavelength range 0.21 to 3.71 microns:
2 2 2
2 A1 λ A2 λ A3 λ
n – 1 = ----------------
2
- + ----------------
2 2
- + ----------------
2 2
-,
2
(3)
λ – λ1 λ – λ 2 λ – λ 3
where
A 1 = 0.6961663
A 2 = 0.4079426
A 3 = 0.897479
λ 1 = 0.0684043
λ 2 = 0.1162414
λ 3 = 9.896161
Wavelength dependent measurements on a sample of silica with some fixed level of
doping can be used to fit to an equation of form [3], to get slightly different values of
the As and λs . These 12 values are used to define the functions n host and n dopant
in Equation 2. You can create named entries with 6 parameters associated with each
name. Use the Save and Load buttons to build a library containing parameters
suitable for your material system. The values are remembered the next time the
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application is called. Typical library entries for various silica materials are supplied by
Optiwave in the initial installation.
In the operation of the EXFO OWA-9500, the measurement wavelength is

λ 0 = 656nm . The refractive index measured at this wavelength at a given point is
2
squared and it takes the place of n ( λ 0 ) in Equation 2. The desired wavelength
(the contents of the Output Wavelength Field) is set to λ in Equation 2, and the index
of the material at the output wavelength is evaluated from the formula. The same
process is repeated at each point in the raster scan to develop a refractive index
profile as would be seen by the long wavelength.
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158
OPTITOOLS — ZEMAX CONVERTER
Zemax Converter
OptiBPM is a software for waveguide optics, and is optimized for analysis of

structures that are of size (in the transverse plane) comparable to an optical
wavelength. Although it is theoretically possible to analyze free space or bulk optical
components such as lenses and mirrors by the solution of Maxwell’s equations,
generally it is more practical to make use of approximations commonly used in ray
optics. Optiwave does not supply ray optics software, but OptiBPM Tools has a utility
to convert the data of another software, Zemax. With Zemax, you can analyze bulk
optics such as mirrors and lenses using ray tracin waveguide, Zemax can be used
together with OptiBPM to analyze the whole system. Zemax can use ray tracing to
determine the optical field distribution at the focal point, and the information can be
sent to a file. The Zemax Converter Utility in OptiBPM Tools can be used to convert
the output file from Zemax to another format that OptiBPM can read as input to the
beginning of a waveguide. OptiBPM can analyze the subsequent wabeguide part of
the system, and estimate the coupling loss on input. If the light needs to leave the
waveguide and reenter a lens system, the Zemax converter can convert the output
near-field-patter to a form that Zemax can accept as input to a ray tracing problem.
You can access the Zemax converter by clicking Tools > Zemax Converter
Figure 96 Zemax Converter dialog box
Conversion
ZEMAX ==> OptiBPM: specifies conversion from ZEMAX format to OptiBPM. These
are mutually exclusive options. Specify the direction of the conversion. ‘ZEMAX ->
OptiBPM’ is checked by default.
OptiBPM ==> ZEMAX: specifies conversion from OptiBPM format to ZEMAX.
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Input File: (ZEMAX format expected): displays the name of input file. Editable text
field. Empty by default. Specifies the path and name of the input file. May be filled in
through the browser button located to the right of it, which displays a Windows
standard file open dialog. In this dialog the user will be able to filter filenames
according totypical extensions for the file formats (*.f3d for OptiBPM and *.zbf for
ZEMAX). Click Browse to load a file from a folder.
Output file: displays the name of the output file. Editable text field. Empty by default.
Specifies the path and name of the output file. May be filled in through the broser
button located to the right of it, which displays a Windows standard file save dialog.
In this dialog the user will be able to filter filenames acording to typical extensions for
the file formats (*f3d for OptiBPM and *.zbf for ZEMAX). Click Browse to load a file
from a folder.
Progress bar: The progress bar above the row of push-buttons will give feedback
about the progression of the conversion. The user will be informed about success of
failure through a message box containing an appropriate message.
Convert: Push buttton. Starts the conversion. If the output file exists, the user will
receive a warning and will be able to abort the conversion if he wants.
Help: Push button. Displays a help page explaining the use of the controls in this
dialog.
Close: Push button. Closes the dialog and the converter with it.
After you enter the filenames that hold the input and output data, click Convert. If the
conversion is successful, the message shown.
Figure 97 Successful conversion dialog box
Notes on Conversion
The ZEMAX file has Nx powers of two only, and OptiBPM can have any integer. The
difference is made up by using the next power of two in the ZEMAX file, and adding
zeros in the new space in the ZEMAX file to keep the data of OptiBPM in the middle
of mesh. When converting back from ZEMAX to OptiBPM, the added zero points are
not removed.
The OptiBPM file can have Nx and Ny either even or odd. in the case of odd number,
the mesh of ZEMAX and OptiBPM cannot be made to overlap exactly. The zero
padding on the plus side of the axix will have one more point in it than on the minus
side. This changes the position of the centre of the field by half a mesh point.
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The unit in OptiBPM is always microns, but the unit of microns is not a possible unit
in the ZEMAX file. Therefore, on conversion to ZEMAX file, distances in microns are
converted to mm, and the units are set to mm. In converting the other way, distances
are converted into microns. This means that applying the conversion twice (there and
back again) could generate a result in different units from the original.
There are several parameters defined in the ZEMAX file that don’t exist in the
OptiBPM file. These are zx, Rx, zy, Ry, wy, lambda, index, re, and se. On converting
from OptiBPM to ZEMAX, all these parameters are set to zero. The settings of these
variables in the global scope will be used in the ZEMAX project.
On converting from OptiBPM to ZEMAX, Dx=(Xmax-Xmin)/Nx-1, Dy=(Ymax-

Ymin)/Nx-1. On converting from ZEMAX to OptiBPM, Xmax=Dx*(Nx-1)/2, Xmin=-
Xmax, Ymax=Dy*(Ny-1)/2, Ymin=-Ymas. so when we convert back and forth, the
Ymin/Ymax and Xmin/Xmax may be changed.
Data formats
This converter can read the OptiBPM file in the format BCF3DPC, BCF3DCX,
BCF3DCX 3.0 and BCF3DCX, and convert it to the ZEMAX file in binary format
propertly. If the OptiBPM file is in BCF3DCXV format, then the target ZEMAX file will
be set to “polarized”. These data formats for the OptiBPM compatible file have
extension .f3d (see “Data file formats” on page 181 for definitions). The information
from Zemax is contained in a binary file. This converter can only read the ZEMAX file
in binary format. We don’t support the ASCII format ZEMAX file. If the “is polarized” is
set (1), then we will create an OptiBPM file in BCF3DCXV format, otherwise it always
creates the OptiBPM file in BCF3DCX 3.0 format.
ZEMAX Beam File (ZBF) binary format

Beams in ZEMAX are always contered on the chief ray for the selected field and
wavelength. Therefore, the data in the beam file should be positioned relative to the
chief ray that will be used to align the beam. The center point in the beam file is at the
coordinate (nx/2+1, ny/2+1). ZEMAX requires the values of nx and ny to be an integral
power of 2; for example, 32, 64, 128, 256, etc. The minimum sampling is 32 and the
current maximum sampling is 8192. Fiber coupling data is ignored when reading
beams, and will be zero if fiber coupling is not computed on output. Note the total fiber
coupling is the product of the receiver and systems efficiency. The first data point is
at the -x, -y corner, and the data proceeds across the x rows first. The Rayleigh
distance is ignored on input and is automatically recomputed by ZEMAX. The
wavelength value stored in ZBF file is scaled by index of the media the beam is
curently in.
The ZBF binary file format is defined as follows. All integers are 4 bytes, all doubles
are 8 bytes.
1 integer: The format version number, currently 1.
1 integer: The number of x samples (nx).
1 integer: The number of y samples (ny).
1 integer: The “is polarized” flag; 0 for unpolarized, 1 for polarized.
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1 integer: Units, 0 for mm, 1 for cm, 2 for in, 3 for meters.
4 integers: Currently unused, may be any value.
1 double: The x direction spacing between points.
1 double:The y direction spacing between points.
1 double: The z position relative to the pilot beam waist, x direction.
1 double: The Rayleigh distance for the pilot beam, x direction.
1 double: The waist in lens units of the pilot beam, x direction.
1 double: The z position relative to the pilot beam waist, y direction.
1 double: The Rayleigh distance for teh pilot beam, y direction.
1 double: The waist in lens units of the pilot beam, y direction.
1 double: The wavelength in lens units of the beam in the current medium.
1 double: The index of refraction in the current medium.
1 double: The receiver efficiency. Zero if fiber coupling is not computed.
1 double: The system efficiency. Zero if fiber coupling is not computed.
8 doubles: Currently unused, may be any value.
2*nx*ny double: Ex values.
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Appendix A: Opti2D Graph Control
The Graph control is a versatile, powerful easy-to-use tool for observing data (see
Figure 98). This section gives a brief description of some of the 2D graph control
features and an explanation of how to use them.
Figure 98 Opti2D Graph Control
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APPENDIX A: OPTI2D GRAPH CONTROL
User interface features
Feature Description
Large data handling Opti2D Graph control is capable of handling millions of points.
capabilities
Optimized drawing Even with a large number of data points, Opti2D Graph Control is
optimized to allow for smooth tracing and panning of graphs.
Moveable information windows Moveable information windows allows for placement of the windows
in the most convenient location in the graph window.
Crosshair Visible cross to make seeing trace points easier.
Graph toolbox The popup Graph toolbox allows easier access to the
viewing/organizing/editing capabilities of the Opti2D Graph tool.
Graph Menu button The Graph menu button allows you to access a full list of
functionality associated with the graphs and their data.
Information windows
There are two main windows visible on the main display:
• Info-window
• Info-Window settings dialog box
Both can be launched using the Graph menu or Graph tools.
Info-window
Figure 99 Info-window
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When you access the Info-window, it displays in the work area of the graph view. By
default, it displays the current position (in data-base coordinates) of the cursor. When
you add marker, tracers, and regions, the Info-Window expands to show the details of
these components.
When you use the Select tool, if you double click in the window, the Info-Window
properties dialog displays (see Figure 100).
Figure 100 Info-Window settings dialog box
Legend
You can switch the Legend on and off using the Legend tool in the Graph toolbox, or
the Graph menu. The Legend displays a list of all the curves displayed in the graph
with the corresponding line color that is used to display those curves (see Figure 101).
Use the Minimize/Maximize button to change the display of the Legend, or close the
Legend by using the Close button.
Figure 101 Legend
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Graph toolbox
To access the Graph toolbox, right-click in the graph view. Most graph
editing/viewing/organizing capabilities are accessible using the toolbox (see
Figure 102).
Figure 102 Popup Graph Toolbox
Graph tools

button
Allows you to manipulate and move most of the objects on the Graph.
Select
Note: To edit the properties of an object, double-click the object in the graph view.
Zoom in: You can select a rectangular region, or click in the graph view for
proportional zoom in.
Zoom Extra features:

• Zoom out: Hold Ctrl and click to perform a zoom out.
• Reset Zoom Level: Double-click in the graph view to return to the default Zoom
level.
Allows you to pan from side to side in the graph display to see parts of the graph that
may not be visible at the existing Zoom level or resolution.
To pan, click to grab the display, and move the cursor from side to side.
Pan
Extra features:
• If you press Ctrl while panning the graph display, accelerated pan is engaged,
which makes the pan much faster. This feature is useful when you work under a
high zoom factor.
Allows you to turn the grid lines on/off. Click on the Grid tool to toggle the grid lines.
Grid
Allows you to select a curve and trace over it while viewing the exact positional
values on the curve in the Info Window. To select a different curve, double click in
the graph view.
Extra features:
Tracer
• You can freeze the tracer by pressing Ctrl. Click to place a marker on the curve
at that position.
• Press Shift and drag the cursor to put the tracer into a high-resolution trace that
iterates through each element in the source data array. This allows for a very
detailed scan of the data and to find peaks that the standard trace may omit.
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button
Allows you to select a curve and trace over it while viewing the exact positional
values on the curve in the Info Window. The Difference Tracer differs from the Tracer
tool because it allows you to create a second tracer to compare values on either the
same curve or on different curves. To select the next curve, double click on the curve
in the graph view.
Extra features:
Trace
• By Pressing the Control Key the tracer will freeze in its present position. Then by
pressing the left mouse button a marker will be placed on that position on the
curve.
• By Pressing the shift key and dragging the mouse the tracer jumps into a high-
resolution trace that iterates through each element in the source data array. This
allows for a very detailed scan of the data and to find peaks that the standard
trace may omit.
Allows you to place markers in the active graph view. The markers can be horizontal,
Marker vertical or both. The position of the markers is displayed in the Info Window.
Allows you to select a horizontal, vertical or rectangular region in the active graph
Region view. The coordinates of the selection are displayed in the Info Window.
Allows you to place customized labels in the active graph view.

Label
Allows you to toggle the Legend on and off within the active graph view.
Legend
Allows you to toggle the Info-Window on and off within the active graph view.
Info
Allows you to reset the layout and place all windows in their default positions.
Layout
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Graph menu
To open the Graph menu, click the blue icon at the top left corner of the Graph view
(see Figure 103).
Figure 103 Graph Menu
Graph Menu button

The Graph Menu button is in the top left corner of the graph view.
Tools
The tools available from the Graph menu include:
• Select
• Zoom
• Pan
• Grid
• Tracer
• Difference Tracer
• Marker
• Region
• Label
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Windows
The information windows available in the Graph Menu include:
• Legend
• Info Window
• Reset Layout
Printing and exporting files

Print
Opens the Print dialog box and allows you to print an image of the active graph view
(see Figure 104).
Figure 104 Print dialog box
Print to BMP file

Exports an image of the active graph view to a file in .bmp format using the Save As
dialog box (see Figure 105).
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Figure 105 Print to BMP File
Print to EMF file

Exports an image of the active graph view to a file in .emf format using the Save As
dialog box (see Figure 106).
Figure 106 Print to EMF File
Copy image to clipboard

Copies an image of the active graph view to the clipboard.
170
Utilities
Tool setup
Allows you to modify the properties of some of the tools.
Note: The tool property dialog only launches if the active tool allows settings to
be changed.
Set Active Display

Allows you to select the active display. For more information, see “Displays” on page
172.
Properties
Allows you to launch the Graph Properties dialog. For more information, see “Graph
display” on page 173.
Table of Points
Launches a dialog box that displays a list of all the curves on the graph control and
displays the data coordinates of those curves. It also allows you to export the data
points to a text file (see Figure 107).
Figure 107 Data Table dialog box
Help
Launches a help dialog box specifically related to the Opti2D Graph Control.
171
Import Curve
Allows you to import a curve from a text file. The file must be in the format below.
X1 (tab) Y1
X2 (tab) Y2
Etc…
Ex:
// (Beginning of file) (this line should not be in the file)
123.23 123.45
123.24 124.55
123.25 555.5
123.26 222.22
//(End of file) (this line should not be in the file)
Displays
The graph is made up of layered displays. Each display has a pair of axes. By default,
the control contains one display with Axis X on the bottom of the display and Axis Y
on the left. In the case of complex graphs that require more than one pair of axes,
more than one display exists (see Figure 108).
Figure 108 Active Display dialog box
Any objects that you place on the graph are placed on the active graph view.
Therefore, if you place a marker on the graph and Display 1 is active, the new marker
172
is based on the coordinate system of Display 1. If you want to add a marker on

Display 2, you must select the main menu in the Graph menu. This launches the
Graph Display dialog, which permits you to select a different display. In complex
graphs, the displays are layered one on top of the other (see Figure 109).
Figure 109 Graph display
Graph Properties dialog

The Graph Properties dialog allows you to manage properties of the graph.
The Graph Properties dialog tabs include:

• X-Axis
• Y-Axis
• Properties dialog box—Y-Axis tab
• Grid
• Fonts
• Legend
• Properties dialog box—Legend Tab
• Label Management
X-Axis
The X-Axis Tab allows you to set properties of the X-axis (see Figure 110).
173
Figure 110 Properties dialog box—X-Axis tab
The values in Scale Type can be:

• Linear
• Logarithmic
• DB
174
The values in Format Value can be:

• Decimal: simple decimal values (1000.0, 2000.0, 3000.0)
• Exponential: exponential notation (1.0-e3, 2.0-e3, 3.0-e3)
• Engineering: engineering notation (1k, 2k, 3k)
• Scientific: scientific notation (1.0 x 103,2.0 x 103, 3.0 x 103)
Prefix: You can place a prefix string before each of the scale values.
Suffix: You can place a suffix string after each of the scale values (e.g. 1000.0 nm)
Automatic Range, Min Value, Max Value: You can check Automatic Range, which
sets the range according to the curves in the displays, or force the axis range to
certain values.
Tickmarks: You can set the number of major and minor tick marks on the Axis.
Y-Axis
The Y-Axis Tab allows you to set properties of the Y-axis (see Figure 111).
To see descriptions of the Y-Axis dialog fields, see “X-Axis” on page 173.
Figure 111 Properties dialog box—Y-Axis tab
175
Curve
The Curve tab allows you to set various properties of the curves that are added to the
control (see Figure 112).
Figure 112 Properties dialog box—Curves tab
Curve List: Displays all of the curves on the active display.
Curve Properties
Color: Allows you to choose the color of the selected curve.
Line Style: Allows you to select the line style of the selected curve.
Plot Style: Allows you to select the plot style.
The values in Plot Style can be:

• Point
• Line
• Segment Left
• Segment Right
• Segment Center
• Step Left
• Step Right
• Drop Line
176
Line Thickness: Allows you to select the thickness of the currently plotted curve line.
Values range from 1 to 8.
Point Style: Allows you to select the style in which each point on the curve will be
drawn.
The values in Point Style can be:

• None
• Circle
• Square
• Diamond
• Cross
• X
• Trangle
• Star
Grid
The Grid tab allows you to select which of the grid lines on the display are visible, and
what color they are to be displayed in (see Figure 113).
Figure 113 Properties dialog box—Grid tab
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Fonts
The Font Tab allows you to select the fonts used for displaying titles and axis values.
(see Figure 114).
Figure 114 Properties dialog box—Fonts tab
Legend
Legend tab simply has a toggle for the Legend Visible/Invisible. More features will
become available in the future (see Figure 115).
178
Figure 115 Properties dialog box—Legend Tab
Graph
The Graph tab is used for editing the titles of any axis as well as the graph title itself
(see Figure 116).
Figure 116 Properties dialog box—Graph tab
179
Label Management
The Label Management tab allows you to remove and edit labels on the graph. You
can also access the Label Management function using the Label tool in the Graph
toolbox (refer to Figure 117).
Note: For removing a large number of labels or labels that may have been
positioned at coordinates that are not in the viewable area, it is easier to remove
or edit them using the Label Management tab, because of the multiple selection
feature.
Figure 117 Properties dialog box—Label Management tab
Use the Label Properties dialog box to edit the name or coordinates of the selected
label (see Figure 118).
Figure 118 Label Properties dialog box
180
Appendix B: File Formats
Generic file format

The Generic file format is a text format that consists of three data columns, X, Y, and
Z, separated by space (see Table 3).
Note: This format is one of the export formats. It is not supported by any of the
viewers.
Table 3 Generic file format
X Y Z
1 1 1
X Y Z
2 2 2
X Y Z
3 3 3
.. .. ..
. . .
X Y Z
N N N
Data file formats

OptiBPM uses the text data format for saving the simulation results and reading user
defined fields and index of refraction distributions:
• Real Data 2D File Format: BCF2DPC

• Real Data 3D File Format: BCF3DPC
• Complex Data 2D File Format: BCF2DCX
• Complex Data 3D File Format: BCF3DCX
• User Refractive Index Distribution File Format
181
APPENDIX B: FILE FORMATS
OptiBPM uses several different formatted text files for reading and saving optical
fields and index of refraction distributions.
Real Data 2D File Format: BCF2DPC

Applies to input and output files that contain real data as text. The file contains the
file header, number of data points, and the real x and y data points:
BCF2DPC file header (this string is used to identify the file type)
N number of data points

X1 Y1 first x and y data separated by space
X2 Y2 second x and y data point
.
.
XN YN last x and y data point
Files that follow the BCF2DPC format

• Output files in BPM 2D: [*.rpd], [*.poi]
• Output files in BPM 3D: [*.rpd], [*.poi]
Example: Power overlap integral output file in BPM 2D [*.poi]

In this example, a Gaussian input field is propagated in a Linear Waveguide from the
starting distance 0.000000E+000 to the end distance 1.000000E-001. The
propagating field is overlapped with the starting field, giving the power overlap value
1.000000E+000 at the start and the value 4.034535E-001 at the end of propagation.
The number of displays in the Global Data dialog box is 30, while the actual number
of saved data points is 31. This is, because the file contains also the power overlap
value at the start of propagation in addition to 30 values from the propagation.
BCF2DPC file header
31 number of data points
0.000000E+000 start distance and power overlap at start

1.000000E+000
3.330000E-003 3.558430E-001 distance and power overlap
.
.
182
1.000000E-001 4.034535E-001 end distance and power overlap
Real Data 3D File Format: BCF3DPC

This format applies to input and output files that contain real data as text. The file
contains the file header, number of x and y data points, minimum and maximum
values of x, y and z, and the real z(x,y) data points. The data points are presented in
one column with the order determined by scanning the x and y coordinates.
BCF3DPC file header
NX NY number of x and y data points
XMIN XMAX minimum and maximum x values

YMIN YMAX minimum and maximum y values
ZMIN ZMAX minimum and maximum z values
Z1 real z data point with coordinates (xmin, ymin)

Z2 real z data point with coordinates (xmin+dx, ymin)
Z3 real z data point with coordinates (xmin+2dx, ymin)
.
ZNX real z data point with coordinates (xmax, ymin)
ZNX+1 real z data point with coordinates (xmin, ymin+dy)
.
.
ZN last real z data point with coordinates (xmax, ymax), where

N=NXxNY
where dx = (xmax-xmin)/(nx-1) and dy = (ymax-ymin)/(ny-1).
Files that follow the BCF3DPC format

• Output files in BPM 2D: [*.amp], [*.pha], [*.rri]
• Output files in BPM 3D: [*-x.amp], [*-y.amp], [*-x.pha], [*-y.pha], [*-x.rri], [*-y.rri]
For more information, see “Data file formats” on page 181.
183
Example: Real refractive index in BPM 2D [*.rri]

In this example, the transverse mesh extends from -5.000000E+000 to
5.000000E+000 microns. The propagation distance extends from 0.000000E+000 to
1.000000E-001 millimeters. A Linear Waveguide with refractive index 1.5 is laid out
on a wafer with the index 1.3. The number of mesh points is 100 and the number of
displays in the Global Data dialog box is 30. The actual y number of saved index x
distributions is 31. This is, because the file contains also the index distribution at the
start of propagation in addition to 30 values from the propagation.
BCF3DPC file header
100 31 number of x and y data points
-5.000000E+000 5.000000E+000 minimum and maximum transverse mesh

values
0.000000E+000 1.000000E-001 minimum and maximum distance
0.000000E+000 1.000000E+000 unused values added by BPM 2D to

conform to the format
Note: OptiBPM adds a line of default

values 0 and 1 to conform this format.
1.300000E+000 real z data point with coordinates (xmin,

ymin)
1.300000E+000
1.300000E+000
.
.
1.300000E+000
1.300000E+000
1.300000E+000
184
Complex Data 2D File Format: BCF2DCX

This format applies to input and output files that contain complex number data as text.
The file contains the file header, number of data points, mesh width, and the complex
z data points:
New format
BCF2DCX 3.0 file header
N number of data points
Xmin Xmax minimum and maximum x values
Z1 first complex data point
Z2 second complex data point
.
.
ZN last complex data point
Files that follow the BCF2DCX format

• Output files in BPM 2D: [*.f2d]
Example: Complex field (end of propagation) in BPM 2D [*.f2d]

In this example, the number of data points, that is, the number of mesh points is 100.
The transverse mesh extends from -5.000000E+000 to 5.000000E+000 microns
giving the mesh width 1.000000E+001 microns.
BCF2DCX 3.0
100
1.000000E+001 3.000000 E+001

-1.625361825110615E-003, -4.389245939619818E-004
-1.509141347436203E-003, -5.157781413025380E-004
-1.396612427100470E-003, -5.882450646580990E-004
.
.
-1.396612427102228E-003, -5.882450646589938E-004
185
-1.509141347437384E-003, -5.157781413024150E-004
-1.625361825110870E-003, -4.389245939610474E-004
Complex Data 3D File Format: BCF3DCX

This format applies to input and output files that contain complex data as text. The
file contains the file header, number of x and y data points, mesh widths in x and y,
and the complex z(x,y) data points. The data points are presented in one column with
the order determined by scanning the x and y coordinates.
New format
BCF3DCX 3.0 file header
NX NY number of x and y data points
Xmin Xmax Ymin Ymax minimum and maximum x and y values
Z1 complex number z data point with coordinates (xmin,

ymin)
Z2 complex number z data point with coordinates

(xmin+dx, ymin)
Z3 complex number z data point with coordinates

(xmin+2dx, ymin)
ZNX complex number z data point with coordinates (xmax,

ymin)
ZNX+1 complex number z data point with coordinates (xmin,

ymin+dy)
.
ZN last complex number z data point with coordinates
(xmax, ymax), N=NXxNY
where dx = (xmax-xmin)/(nx-1) and dy = (ymax-ymin)/(ny-1).
186
Example: Complex field (end of propagation) in BPM 3D [*.f3d]

In this example, the number of data points is 100 and equals to the number of mesh
points. The transverse mesh extends from -5.000000E+000 to 5.000000E+000
microns giving the mesh width 1.000000E+001 microns.
BCF3DCX 3.0
100 100
1.000000E+001 1.100000E+001 2.000000 E+001 3.000000 E+001
-4.582487025358980E-004, -2.411965546811583E-002
1.813879122411751E-004, -2.322439514101689E-002
8.864140535377826E-004, -2.245463661588051E-002
.
-1.004141897700716E-002, 7.709994296904761E-003
-9.736326254112302E-003, 8.732395427319460E-003
-9.270032367315658E-003, 9.686774052240091E-003
Files that follow the BCF3DCX format

• Output files in BPM 3D: [*.f3d]
187
User Refractive Index Distribution File Format
UPI2DRI 3.0 file header
NPM number of points in mesh

XMIN XMAX min and max mesh points
Z1 first complex number data point
Z2 second complex number data point

.
ZN last complex number data point

Example
UPI2DRI 3.0
500
-50 50
1.491000000000000E+000, 0.000000000000000E+000
1.491000000000000E+000, 0.000000000000000E+000
.
.
1.491000000000000E+000, 0.000000000000000E+000
Default format for 3D Refractive Index Distribution
UPI3DRI 3.0 file header

NPMX NPMY number of points in mesh in X and Y
Xmin Xmax Ymin Ymax min and max mesh points in X and Y
Z1 first complex number data point

Z2 second complex number data point
.
.
ZN last complex number data point
188
Example
UPI3DRI 3.0
151 121
-7.5 7.5 -3 3
3.300000000000000E+000, 0.000000000000000E+000
3.300000000000000E+000, 0.000000000000000E+000
.
3.250000000000000E+000, 0.000000000000000E+000
Reading User Refractive Index Files by BPM 2D and BPM 3D

During the propagation, the BPM simulator reads the index distribution file in a step
by step manner. The information for reading the user data file is provided by the
Device Layout Designer of OptiBPM and it concerns the number of mesh points and
the extent of the User Defined File Region.
If the refractive index distribution as defined by the properties of the region is

independent of the propagation distance (i.e. constant), then the simulator reads the
index data only once, for the first step of propagation in the region and uses the same
data for every step in that region.
If the refractive index distribution is defined as propagation dependent, then the BPM
propagation enters the User Defined File Region, the program reads index of
refraction data for each propagation step. The number of lines that is read at one step
is equal to the number of transverse mesh points.
189
Complex Data 3D Vectorial File Format: BCF3DCXV

This format applies to input and output files that contain vectorial complex data. The
file contains the file header, number of x and y data points, mesh widths in x and y,
and the complex z(x,y) data points both for Ex and Ey field components. The data
points are presented in one column with the order determined by scanning the x and
y coordinates.
BCF3DCXV file header
Nx Ny number of x and y mesh points

Xmin Xmax Ymin Ymax minimum and maximum X and Y coordinates
Za1 complex field (Ex field component) at point with coordinates

(xmin, ymin)

(xmin+dx, ymin)

(xmin+2dx, ymin)
ZaNX complex field (Ex field component) at point with coordinates

(xmax, ymin)
ZaNX+1 complex field (Ex field component) at point with coordinates

(xmin, ymin+dy)
ZaN (N=Nx*Ny) complex field (Ex field component) at point with coordinates
(xmax, ymax)
Zb1 complex field (Ey field component) at point with coordinates

(xmin, ymin)

(xmin+dx, ymin)

(xmin+2dx, ymin)
ZbNX complex field (Ey field component) at point with coordinates

(xmax, ymin)
ZbNX+1 complex field (Ey field component) at point with coordinates

(xmin, ymin+dy)
190
ZbN (N=Nx*Ny) complex field (Ey field component) at point with coordinates
(xmax, ymax)
where N=Nx*Ny, dx=(xmax-xmin)/(Nx-1), and dy=(ymax-ymin)/(Ny-1).
Note: The total number of data points is twice the number of the total mesh points
Nt=2*N.
Path Monitoring File Format

The sample is provided (*.mon):
BCF2DPM
NPts NPath Number of data points (lines) and number of paths

[Distance] [Path 1] [Path 2] [Path 3] …. [Path NPath] text
descriptor
XCoord1 P1val1 P2val1 P3val1 …. PNPathval1
XCoord2 P1val2 P2val2 P3val2 …. PNPathval2

...
XCoord NPts P1valNPts P2valNPts P3valNPts …. PNvalNPts
Power In Output Waveguides File Format

The sample is provided (*.piw)
BCF2DMC
NPts WGN Number of data points (lines) and number of waveguides

[Wavelen] [ WG1 ] [ WG2 ] [ WG3 ] …. [ WGWGN] text
descriptor
XCoord1 P1val1 P2val1 P3val1 …. PWGNval1
XCoord2 P1val2 P2val2 P3val2 …. PWGNval2

...
XCoordNPts P1valNPts P2valNPts P3valNPts …. PWGNvalNPts
191
Notes:
192
Optiwave
7 Capella Court
Ottawa, Ontario, K2E 8A7, Canada
Tel.: 1.613.224.4700
Fax: 1.613.224.4706
E-mail: support@optiwave.com
URL: www.optiwave.com

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2D Overlap Integral ..................................................................................................14

Gaussian Overlap Scanner ......................................................................................19

Overlap Integral Scanner..........................................................................................23

Overlap Integral 2D ..................................................................................................24

Multiple Fields ...........................................................................................................27

Multiple Fields (2D) dialog box.................................................................................28

Multiple Gaussians ...................................................................................................33

Confinement Factor ..................................................................................................37

Far Field .....................................................................................................................43

Fresnel-Kirchhoff Diffraction Formula ................................................................................44

Modes of Planar Waveguides...............................................................................................53

Edit menu ...............................................................................................................................54

Simulation menu ...................................................................................................................55

Window menu ........................................................................................................................55

Correlation Function Method (CFM) ....................................................................................64

Edit menu ...............................................................................................................................65

Simulation menu ...................................................................................................................66

Window menu ........................................................................................................................66

Global Parameters ...................................................................................................67

User Defined File ...................................................................................................................76

Edit menu ...............................................................................................................................78

Simulation menu ...................................................................................................................78

Window menu ........................................................................................................................78

User Defined File dialog box ....................................................................................79

User Guide of View 2D..............................................................................................81

User interface features .........................................................................................................83

Main menu bar .........................................................................................................84

Opti 2D Viewer menus and buttons.....................................................................................89

File menu .................................................................................................................89

Opti 2D Viewer Graph toolbox .............................................................................................91

Opti 2D Viwer Graph toolbox ...................................................................................91

Print and Export files ............................................................................................................94

Edit menu ...............................................................................................................................98

Simulation menu .................................................................................................................100

Draw Tool menu ..................................................................................................................101

Preferences menu ...............................................................................................................101

Layout Designer Dialog boxes of Mode Solver 3D ..........................................................103

Initial Data layout dialog box ..................................................................................105

Layout Settings layout dialog box.....................................................................................122

Waveguide Colors layout dialog box ................................................................................123

User Guide of View 3D............................................................................................125

Commands of View 3D........................................................................................................125

Status Bar menu..................................................................................................................128

Dialog boxes of View 3D.....................................................................................................133

Topography Properties dialog box .........................................................................133

Data format ..........................................................................................................................149

EXFO OWA Converter.............................................................................................151

Region Selection and Expansion ...........................................................................152

Notes on Conversion ..........................................................................................................160

ZEMAX Beam File (ZBF) binary format .............................................................................161

Appendix A: Opti2D Graph Control.......................................................................163

User interface features .......................................................................................................164

Information windows ..............................................................................................164

Graph tools ..........................................................................................................................166

Graph menu ...........................................................................................................168

Graph Properties dialog .....................................................................................................173

Appendix B: File Formats.......................................................................................181

Generic file format...............................................................................................................181

Data file formats ..................................................................................................................181

Real Data 2D File Format: BCF2DPC....................................................................182

User Refractive Index Distribution File Format ................................................................188

Reading User Refractive Index Files by BPM 2D and BPM 3D .......................................189

Complex Data 3D Vectorial File Format: BCF3DCXV ...........................................190