So far we have discussed how to define both the entry and exit port for our non-sequential component group.  But what about the Non-Sequential objects themselves?  Where and how are these objects defined?

Objects within each Non-Sequential Group are defined in their own editor, called the Non-Sequential Component Editor, which may be accessed from the Editors menu in ZEMAX.

The Non-Sequential Components Editor (NSCE) operates just like a pure non-sequential editor, where objects are defined by positions and object-specific parameters.  Objects may be nested, GRIN media may be applied, faces may be coated; etc. 

The important point to note about the NSCE is the global coordinate by which every object in a group is referenced to.  The global (0,0,0) is located at the entry port of each group, so all of the objects defined within the NSCE are referenced to the entry port of that group.  There is no limit to the number of objects which may be defined in the group, but as soon as any ray strikes the exit port, it resumes its sequential path. 

The title bar of the NSCE indicates which surface in the LDE that the group corresponds to:



This means that the objects listed in the NSCE are the components in the NSC group defined by a particular surface in the LDE.  Since more than one NSC group may be defined in a single mixed mode system, more than one NSC Editor is required.  Only one editor may be displayed at a time.  The active NSC editor may be toggled by using the “Next Group” option from within the Edit menu of the NSCE.



For example, if two different NSC groups exist, described by surfaces 4 and 8 in the LDE, then the objects which exist in the first group will be defined by the NSC Editor for “Component Group on Surface 4” and the second group will be defined in its own NSC Editor:  “Component Group on Surface 8.”