ZEMAX Users' Knowledge Base - http://www.zemax.com/kb
How do I get Interferometer Data into ZEMAX?
http://www.zemax.com/kb/articles/44/1/How-do-I-get-Interferometer-Data-into-ZEMAX/Page1.html
By Mark Nicholson
Published on 12 September 2005
 
This article describes how data from interferometers can be loaded into ZEMAX.
How do I get Interferometer Data into ZEMAX?
Most interferometric fringe analysis software can export data in a format that ZEMAX can then import. The two most common formats are:
  • as a Zernike surface. ZEMAX supports several different sets of Zernike coefficients, and you should consult the fringe analysis software's manual as well as the ZEMAX manual to see which is appropriate for your interferometer
  • as a Grid Phase surface, in which the phase is written out as a {x,y} grid of points.

In both cases, data can be imported into ZEMAX by adding a surface of the correct type, opening the Extra Data Editor, and using Tools > Import to import the datafile from the interferometer software. The datafile must have the extension .DAT

Whatever surface type is used, the surface should be placed at a pupil plane, and the semi-diameter of the surface should correspond to the size of the surface or wavefront under test. This ensures that the phase is correctly added to the optical system.