Open the file "Samples > Physical Optics > Anamorphic Beams.zmx" using the menu option, "File > Open" or the "Ope" button on the button bar.

This file demonstrates beam propagation through anamorphic prisms.

If the "Use Session Files" option is checked under the File menu when the file is opened, the Lens Data Editor, a Spot Diagram, Shaded Model layout and a Physical Optics Propagation window will open.

The POP window shows the beam irradiance at the image surface (surface 14).

To see the initial beam settings, click on "Settings" from the menu bar of the Physical Optics Propagation window and then click on the "Beam Definition" tab. The beam type is Gaussian and the (radial) waist size in both X and Y is 0.004 mm (4 microns). Now, click on the "General" tab. The beam is set to start at surface 1 and is propagated to the image surface. Check the "Separate X, Y" option. This option allows for greater accuracy when propagating astigmatic/anamorphic beams. Turning this option on results in ZEMAX using separate phase references in the X and Y directions.



Now, click on "OK" to re-run the analysis.
 


Note, that while the input beam is a rotationally symmetric Gaussian beam (with a waist of 4 microns), the output beam is anamorphic as a result of the propagation through the anamorphic prisms (represented by surfaces 5 through 13). The pilot beam data (at the bottom of the window) illustrates this numerically. The pilot beam is a best-fit Gaussian beam. The fit is generated based on the actual wavefront parameters.

To perform a more detailed analysis of the anamoprhic beam, you can use Physical Optics Propagation cross section plots. To make a POP cross section plot, click on "Settings" from the menu bar of the POP window. Now, click on the "Display" tab and set "Show" to Cross X. Click OK.



TIP: You can click on "Text" in the POP window menu bar to generate a text summary of the data that is displayed. The data can then be copied to the clipboard and pasted into other applications using the standard Windows shortcuts (Control-C and Control-V). This can be useful when more comprehensive data analysis is required.