#NewFeatureFriday | RSoft 2026 GPU‑accelerated FullWAVE FDTD is faster in RSoft 2026: ✅ Reduced initialization & overhead for dispersive FDTD ✅ Up to 3× speedup (3D CMOS image sensor example) ✅ Now supports 2D 3D simulations Faster iteration for complex photonics designs. #Photonics #FDTD #Optics #RSoft

#TechPaperThursday #OpenAccess #Article | Theoretical analysis of fiber coupling and image transmission for flexible micro-LED near-eye displays Researchers developed a 3D model to analyze coupling efficiency and crosstalk between micro-LEDs and fiber image bundles for near-eye displays (NEDs). Using #LightTools simulations and experimental validation, the study identified key design factors—including alignment, fiber NA, and micro-LED geometry—that can significantly improve image quality and efficiency in flexible AR/NED systems. Read the full paper: opg.optica.org/oe/fulltext.c… Figure 3: Hao Chen et al, doi.org/10.1364/OE.582720 #LightTools #opticaldesign #opticalengineering #Photonics #AR #MicroLED #Optics #LightTools #DisplayTechnology

Students, the deadline is next month! Keysight Optical Design Engineering invites you to participate in the Robert S. Hilbert Memorial Optical Design Competition, recognizing excellence in student optical design projects completed during the 2025–2026 academic year. Eligible undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students in North America may submit course assignments or thesis work developed using CODE V, LightTools, LucidShape, ImSym, or RSoft Photonic Device Tools. 💸Awards totaling $20,000 will be granted. ⭐ Submission deadline: June 15, 2026 Learn more about eligibility, rules, and submission requirements: 🔗 ow.ly/mJRb50YAXSc #OpticalDesign #OpticalEngineering #Photonics #EngineeringEducation #STEM

💡 Wave Aberration Macros in CODE V This example demonstrates how to use the supplied Wave Aberration macros for analysis and optimization with the 4th and 6th order wave aberration coefficients.  These ready-to-use models help shorten setup time and make it easier to move from concept to refined design. 🔗 CODE V is now part of Keysight’s optical solutions portfolio. Explore the tools and request a trial:  keysight.com/us/en/products/… #ExampleModelMondays  #CODEV  #optics  #opticaldesign  #opticalengineering  #designbrilliance

Getting to meaningful imaging system results shouldn’t require building everything from scratch. ImSym 2026 introduces sample detector and spectrum libraries: • Representative detector models • Sample scene spectra for common illumination • A starting point for your own system inputs → Spend less time on setup → Focus on system behavior and performance trade-offs Useful for early-stage studies, rapid prototyping, and onboarding. Reduce setup time. Make decisions earlier. #NewFeatureFriday #ImagingSystems #OpticalEngineering #SystemSimulation #SensorModeling #ImSym

#TechPaperThursday | Fresnel zone plate outperforms the metalens at high NA Researchers from an academic optics team used rigorous simulations and experimental validation to compare high-NA metalenses with traditional Fresnel zone plates (FZPs)—challenging recent claims that metalenses offer superior focusing efficiency. Using #RSoft simulation tools—now part of Keysight—the researchers performed detailed optical modeling across multiple lens geometries and validated the findings experimentally. The paper highlights the importance of rigorous, direct comparisons between meta-optics and classical diffractive optics when evaluating next-generation photonic device performance. Read the full paper 👉 opg.optica.org/oe/fulltext.c… Figure 2: D. W. Prather, D. Pustai, and S. Shi, “Performance of multilevel diffractive lenses as a function of f-number,” Appl. Opt. 40(2), 207–210 (2001). #techpaperthursday #rsoft #keysight #metalenses #metaoptics

Great to be part of Rochester Optical Design Day at the University of Rochester (@UofR) on May 18. Optical designers and engineers at the event focused on practical challenges and emerging opportunities in optical system design. Thanks to everyone who joined the event and spent time connecting with us. #OpticalEngineering #CODEV #Photonics #OpticalDesign #Keysight

💡LightTools 2026 helps illumination engineers move faster with GPU acceleration, improved stray light workflows, and better CAD integration. See what’s new: ow.ly/PL1g50Z5sxG #LightTools #OpticalDesign #IlluminationEngineering

Students—deadline is coming up fast. Submit your work to the Robert S. Hilbert Optical Design Competition. 💸 $20K in awards ⭐ June 15 deadline Undergrad–PhD projects using CODE V, LightTools, LucidShape, ImSym, or RSoft. 🔗 keysight.com/us/en/cmp/2026/… #OpticalEngineering #OpticalDesign #Photonics #STEM

Optical design workflows are evolving rapidly — and so are the expectations placed on engineers developing real-world imaging systems. The new release of CODE V focuses on helping optical engineers move faster from concept to validated system performance while maintaining the physical rigor required for manufacturing and deployment. The result: faster exploration, earlier manufacturability insight, and better confidence that designs will perform as intended in real-world applications. Read the full blog article: keysight.com/blogs/en/tech/s… Start a CODE V trial or ask for a demo: keysight.com/us/en/products/… #Keysight #CODEV #optics #opticaldesign #opticalengineering #designbrilliance #DesignEngineeringSoftware #EngineeringSoftware

#TechPaperThursday #OpenAccess #Article | Controlled fabrication and performance analysis of high-efficiency color-conversion films based on CdSe/ZnS quantum dots with thiol-carboxylate bidentate ligands Researchers from the College of Physics and Information Engineering, Fuzhou University and Fujian Science & Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, developed a dual-functional ligand modification strategy to improve the optical performance and stability of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots for advanced display applications. The study demonstrates how thiol and carboxyl group surface modifications reduce trap states and suppress aggregation during film formation, resulting in high photoluminescence efficiency and precise photolithographic patterning down to 20 μm. Using #LightTools, the researchers systematically analyzed how film thickness and quantum dot concentration affect light conversion efficiency, helping establish a quantitative optimization framework for the color conversion films. The paper reports strong theoretical and experimental performance, highlighting the potential of this approach for next-generation high-color-gamut display technologies. Read the full paper: link.springer.com/article/10… Figure credit: Zhu, H., Liu, C., Weng, S. et al. doi.org/10.1007/s10854-026-1… #LightTools #TechPaperThursday #opticalengineering #optics #photolithography

💡 PMA: Zernike Fit in CODE V This example demonstrates how to use the Pupil Map option in CODE V to fit wavefront error using Zernike polynomials. Zernike polynomials are commonly used to describe wavefront error in an imaging system. This example shows how to fit pupil map into Zernike polynomials to represent wavefront error. If you’re already using CODE V, example models like this provide a fast, practical way to: ▪️ Understand how Zernike fitting can be achieved in Pupil Map analysis ▪️ Explore how wavefront errors are decomposed into standard polynomial terms ▪️ Apply this technique to analyze your own optical designs 🔗 CODE V is part of Keysight’s optical solutions portfolio. Explore the tools and request a trial: keysight.com/us/en/products/… #ExampleModelMondays #CODEV #optics #opticaldesign #opticalengineering #designbrilliance

RSoft ADS Integration: Custom PDK Utility This example demonstrates how to use the RSoft Photonic Device Compiler with the Custom PDK Utility to generate S‑matrix‑based photonic components for use in ADS Photonic Designer. 💡 Efficient photonic design workflows require seamless transition from device simulation to circuit-level implementation. This integration bridges that gap by enabling automated generation of model cells—including simulation data, symbols, and layouts—directly in ADS format. 🔗 Learn more, see the full features video, or request a trial: keysight.com/us/en/products/… #RSoft #Photonics #SiliconPhotonics #PIC #OpticalEngineering #ADS #PhotonicDesign #DesignEngineeringSoftware #EngineeringSoftware

#Light powers everything—from science to everyday tech. Today we’re celebrating #LightDay2026 🌟 We simulate how light travels through lenses, systems, and photonic circuits—helping engineers design what’s next. Learn more about the International Day of Light: lightday.org/ #optics4thewin #optics

⭐ ImSym 2026 New Feature: Save and Restore Detector Models​ Users are now enabled to create, save, and restore detector models—supporting the development of reusable detector libraries across imaging system simulations. Learn more about ImSym: keysight.com/us/en/products/… Request a demo or trial: keysight.com/us/en/contact/o… #ImSym #OpticalEngineering #ImagingSystems #SystemSimulation #DesignEngineeringSoftware #EngineeringSoftware #NewFeatureFriday

#TechPaperThursday | Early Architecture Concepts for the Habitable Worlds Observatory Researchers from NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Jet Propulsion Lab - California Institute of Technology and partner institutions are advancing early designs for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), a flagship mission aimed at imaging Earth-like exoplanets and searching for biosignatures. The paper highlights the first three Exploratory Analytic Cases (EACs), covering observing strategies, error budgets, and key design trade-offs, powered by integrated modeling approaches. CODE V was used to support optical modeling and performance analysis, helping evaluate complex system requirements at this early stage. These efforts are paving the way toward the Mission Concept Review—and bringing us closer to answering: Are we alone? 🔗 Read the paper: arxiv.org/abs/2602.11046 Figure 55 credit: Liu et al., “Early Architecture Concepts for the Habitable Worlds Observatory,” arXiv:2602.11046, 2026. #CODEV #opticaldesign #opticalengineering #Keysight #OpenAccess #Article

⭐ May 2026 Updates from Keysight Optical Design Engineering: • New article: MWIR material selection with CODE V Glass Expert • SmartStart Library updates new material datasets • On-demand webinar: What’s New in LucidShape • Student Optical Design Competition – submit by June 15 👉 More resources → Support Portal, Learning Portal, Keysight Software Manager (KSM) Find us on the web: keysight.com/us/en/products/… #CODEV #LightTools #LucidShape #ImSym #RSoft #Keysight #OpticalEngineering #EngineeringSoftware

Students, the deadline is next month! Keysight Optical Design Engineering invites you to participate in the Robert S. Hilbert Memorial Optical Design Competition, recognizing excellence in student optical design projects completed during the 2025–2026 academic year. Eligible undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students in North America may submit course assignments or thesis work developed using CODE V, LightTools, LucidShape, ImSym, or RSoft Photonic Device Tools. 💸Awards totaling $20,000 will be granted. ⭐ Submission deadline: June 15, 2026 Learn more about eligibility, rules, and submission requirements: 🔗 ow.ly/mJRb50YAXSc #OpticalDesign #OpticalEngineering #Photonics #EngineeringEducation #STEM

💡 Reducing Sensitivity in Highly Aspheric Designs—Using SNA in CODE V Designing with highly aspheric surfaces often introduces tolerance sensitivity challenges. This example shows how to apply optimization with an SNA constraint in CODE V to manage and reduce that sensitivity. These ready-to-use models help shorten setup time and make it easier to move from concept to refined design. 🔗 CODE V is now part of Keysight’s optical solutions portfolio. Explore the tools and request a trial: ow.ly/Bj2m50YWUH9 #ExampleModelMondays  #CODEV  #optics  #opticaldesign  #opticalengineering  #designbrilliance

⭐CODE V 2026: Accelerated Custom Tolerancing Accelerated custom tolerancing workflows in the latest version of CODE V support multi-step alignment with parallel processing, user-defined metrics, and results accumulated over multiple runs. A guided wizard simplifies the set up of tolerances, compensators, and performance criteria, with flexible tracking and improved statistical outputs. Optical engineers, see the many other features of CODE V can help you make better design faster when you contact us online to request a demo or trial: ow.ly/95HR50YWnBH #codev #designbrilliance #opticalengineering #DesignEngineeringSoftware #EngineeringSoftware