Synopsys has released version 2018.12 of its RSoft Photonic Component Design Suite, which introduces new features to advance the design of optics used in augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) systems.
The latest RSoft release supports Synopsys' optical design workflow for nano-textured diffractive optical elements that enable smaller, lightweight AR/VR devices with improved displays and immersive experiences.
Synopsys' design workflow includes an interface between the company's LightTools software for virtual prototyping of light as it traverses optical and mechanical components in an AR/VR model, and the RSoft tools for fast, rigorous modelling of nano-textured optical structures. LightTools and RSoft provide a multi-domain simulation approach that shares bidirectional scattering distribution function (BSDF) data to help AR/VR device designers achieve the best light extraction efficiency, beam shaping, and colour tuning.
In version 2018.12, the RSoft BSDF enhancements provide greater design flexibility and speed with: BSDF files that can be calculated for X-, Y-, or Z-oriented structures; support for LightTools zone rotations in RSoft BSDF user-defined optical properties; Expanded azimuthal symmetry support for faster RSoft BSDF calculations; and support for non-uniform wavelengths, which is useful for RGB colour displays in AR/VR systems.