Fourier modal method for rigorous grating analysis
VirtualLab™ 4.6 and higher enables the rigorous electromagnetic analysis of 3-D index-modulated gratings. In version 4.6, the index-modulation can be described by a pillar-type medium that can be used to simulate artificial media and zero-order gratings.
Your Benefit
- Simulation of sub-wavelength gratings, i. e. zeroth order gratings and artificial media with the rigorous Fourier Modal Method.
- You can calculate efficiencies, angles and Rayleigh coefficients of the transmitted and reflected orders as well as the overall reflectance, transmittance, and absorption.
- It is possible to analyze the near field including polarization effects.
- You can vary among others incident angle, polarization, and structure parameters of the gratings with the parameter run.
Selected Features
Session Editor for easy configuration. A Session Editor guides you step by step through the setup of an optical system for the rigorous analysis of an index-modulated grating.
Fourier Modal Method for three-dimensional gratings. The Fourier Modal Method implemented in VirtualLab™ allows you to adjust numerical parameters to find the best compromise between accuracy and calculation speed. Moreover it gives insight into the convergence of the technique.
Analyzer to calculate efficiencies, angles and Rayleigh coefficients of the distinct diffraction orders. VirtualLab™ Grating Efficiency Analyzer allows you to calculate efficiencies, angles and Rayleigh coefficients (~complex amplitudes) of the distinct diffraction orders. Furthermore you can calculate the overall reflectance, transmittance, and absorption.
Pillar Medium to model sub-wavelength gratings. You can adapt shape (elliptical or rectangular), size and distances of the pillars. Both the base material and the pillar material can be set to a large variety of preset materials – or you can define your own material. If you have configured your pillar medium you can save it for further use in other setups.
Parameter Run to vary in a convenient way parameters of the incident wave as well as structural and numerical parameters of the grating. The Parameter Run allows you to vary among others wavelength and polarization angle of the incident wave, orientation of the grating as well as structural parameters of the pillar medium. It is possible to generate diagrams and animations from the resulting data.
Outlook Feature Development
- Support for further media and structures, especially support for a customized medium which allows fast implementation of new structures
- Contact us with your comments and suggestions for further features demanded for rigorous analysis of periodic structures




