Refractive Index Description

The refractive index distribution can be specified in one of two ways:

• An arbitrary two-dimensional refractive index profile can be uploaded as ASCII numeric values. This profile must be uploaded as three separate text files. The first file defines the x-grid. It is simply a column of numbers. Click here for an example of the grid file. Similarly, the second file defines the y-grid. The third file contains the refractive index profile that corresponds to the grid points defined in the previous two files. Click here for an example of the profile file. The refractive index file must be arranged like:
  N(x=1,y=1) N(x=2,y=1) N(x=3,y=1)....
  N(x=1,y=2) N(x=2,y=2) N(x=3,y=2)....
  
• The refractive index can be created using a set of built-in polygon functions. Each polygon is a two dimenssional shape. The refractive index value inside the polygon is specified by the user, and the refractive index outside the polygon is zero. Multiple polygons can be entered, and most geometries of interest can be constructed this way. Click here for a complete description. The background index is assumed to be 1.0, and every polygon adds an incremental value.
• The distribution profile from another job can be transferred to this job. This could be useful when repeating different computations on the same profile. When a field, refractive index or function is plotted from the other program, there should be an option at the bottom of the screen for copying that distribution as the refractive index distribution for another program.