This tutorial illustrates how to convert information from ZEMAX into RSoft’s family of beam propagation software.  This can be useful for multi-stage cases in which one part of the system (typically bulk optical systems in which wave-guiding is not important) is more efficiently simulated in ZEMAX, and other parts require electro-magnetic propagating tools (typically, inside waveguides, photonics crystals etc). 

In this example, we will look at the coupling from a focusing lens into a small silica fiber. We will first create output information from ZEMAX, and then convert these files into field files that can be used for a BPM propagation. 

In addition, this example will use the BeamPROP software. However, FullWAVE as well as some of the other RSoft propagation tools can also take advantage of the same principal and conversation processes to utilize these launch fields.  It is assumed that the user is somewhat familiar with the RSoft software when going through this tutorial.

Finally, while this tutorial uses the GUI in order to convert the fields, there are command line utilities in the RSoft products to do this conversion as well.  Please see the appropriate appendix in the RSoft CAD manual for more information.