What Is Optics?
Optics is the science of light—how it behaves, interacts with materials, and is used in systems to transmit, detect, or manipulate information. Optical simulation uses physics-based modeling to replicate real-world light behavior in virtual environments. This allows engineers and designers to analyze and optimize lenses, sensors, displays, lasers, and other optical components early in the design process—reducing prototypes, improving performance, and accelerating time to market.
Optical Simulation Solutions
From lens design to autonomous system developement, photonic and optical simulation solutions streamline development and ensure performance from concept to production. All Ansys Optics products are available for a free demo or trial!
Ansys Speos
Ansys Speos simulates optical performance in real-world environments to accelerate lighting and sensor design with high accuracy and visual realism.
Ansys Zemax
Ansys Zemax enables precise end-to-end optical system design, from lens and illumination layout to tolerancing and manufacturability, in a unified workflow.
Ansys Lumerical
Ansys Lumerical delivers a complete photonics simulation platform for designing and optimizing photonic devices, circuits, and systems across multiphysics domains.
Ansys Speos Benefits
Accelerate the development of safe, efficient, and compliant optical systems with real-world light simulation.
- Simulates light behavior with human vision perception for realistic results
- Seamless CAD integration for streamlined workflows
- Supports automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, and more
- Enables virtual prototyping to reduce physical testing
Ansys Speos Applications
Headlamp and interior lighting
HUD and display readability
Sensor visibility and glare analysis
Visual ergonomics and compliance testing
Ansys Zemax Benefits
Bring optical systems from concept to manufacturable design with powerful modeling and tolerancing tools.
- Sequential and nonsequential ray tracing for lens and illumination systems
- Physical optics propagation (POP) and polarization modeling
- Tolerancing and thermal/structural analysis for manufacturability
- Integration with CAD and FEA software for full-system validation
Ansys Zemax Applications
Camera lenses, telescopes, and microscopes
Head-up displays (HUDs) and AR/VR optics
Illumination systems and light guides
Biomedical imaging and industrial metrology
Ansys Lumerical Benefits
Design advanced photonics components and systems with multiphysics and photonic circuit simulation.
-
Full suite of solvers (FDTD, MODE, INTERCONNECT) for nanophotonic and optoelectronic simulation
-
Multiphysics integration for thermal, electrical, and optical co-simulation
-
Python-based automation for custom workflows
-
Accurate modeling of active/passive components including lasers, waveguides, modulators, and detectors
Ansys Lumerical Applications
Headlamp and interior lighting
HUD and display readability
Sensor visibility and glare analysis
Visual ergonomics and compliance testing
Photonic and Optical Simulation Applications
-
Defense
Ansys Optics enables defense engineers to simulate and optimize high-energy laser systems, satellite imaging, and aero-optical effects, ensuring mission-critical performance in complex environments.
-
Aerospace
Ansys Optics facilitates Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) analysis for aerospace applications, streamlining the design and validation of optical systems in satellites and aircraft.
-
Vehicle Interior and Exterior
Ansys Optics solutions, such as Speos, allow automotive engineers to design and validate interior and exterior lighting systems, enhancing safety, aesthetics, and brand identity.
-
Autonomous Sensor Development
Ansys Optics provides comprehensive simulation tools for developing and validating optical sensors like lidar and cameras, crucial for autonomous vehicle perception systems.
-
Medical
Ansys Optics supports the design and optimization of medical devices, including endoscopic imaging systems and UV-C disinfection chambers, improving patient outcomes and device efficacy.
-
Autonomous System Validation
Ansys Optics enables the simulation of real-world scenarios for autonomous systems, facilitating the validation of sensor performance and system reliability in diverse conditions.