Physical Optics Propagation is not limited to propagation through simple lenses. The calculation can also be performed for propagation through complex optics like lens arrays.

Open the file "Samples > Sequential > Physical Optics > Lenslet Array.zmx".

This file demonstrates the propagation of a top hat beam through a rectangular array of spherical lenses. The array is modeled on surface 2 which is defined using a User-Defined type surface. This type of surface is entirely arbitrary and is defined via an external DLL. For more information about these types of surfaces, take a look at the Knowledge Base article, "How to Compile a User-Defined Surface".

The user-defined surface used in this example is one of the many sample DLLs that come with ZEMAX, a rectangular array of spherical lenslets. The parameters of the array are defined by the parameter columns in the Lens Data Editor. To see these parameters, click anywhere on the row corresponding to surface 2 in the LDE. Next, scroll to the right using the right arrow key on your keyboard. Scroll past the Conic constant column. You will see columns defining the number of elements in the array as well as the width of each individual element in X and Y. The radius of curvature of each element in the array is defined using the standard "Radius" parameter.



The Surface Sag window that opens with this file shows the curvature and aperture of each lenslet element in the array.



The POP window that opens with this file shows the results of a uniform beam (top hat) propagated through the array.



Observe the individual images formed by each of the array elements. The rectangular apertures of the lenslets also causes diffraction. To see this more clearly in the Physical Optics Propagation window, open the settings for the window and click on the "Display" tab. Change the "Scale" setting to Log -5 and click "OK".



TIP:  Users of the full, licensed version of ZEMAX can optimize the results of POP calculations using the POPD merit function operand.