Wavefront Phase Modifier [Plane, Profile-Defined]¶

1 Purpose¶

Mathematically, the operation is described by:

where \((x,y)\) are coordinates in the plane. The phase profile is specified directly and applied on the plane reference surface. This twin is useful for modeling phase profiles on planar substrates, such as in flat optical elements.

2 Geometric Support¶

This twin is defined on a plane reference surface. The reference surface is fixed to a plane; the user cannot select a different surface type.

3 Supported Channels¶

This twin supports illumination from the front side only. The user selects either the transmission (T) or reflection (R) channel as the active output channel. The selected channel is the only generated output; the opposite channel is not generated.

4 Simulation Model¶

This is a function-based optical digital twin. It applies the specified wavefront phase profile to the incoming wavefront phase on a plane reference surface. The phase profile can be defined in three input formats: Even Order Radial Polynomial, User-Defined Formula, or Data Based.

The twin includes an aperture option: the user can select whether the component is used as Single Function without Aperture or Single Function with Aperture. If the aperture option is selected, the user can define the aperture size, shape, and edge width.

5 Parameters Where This Sheet Adds Guidance¶

The complete parameter documentation is available in the VirtualLab Fusion manual and from the twin via Help. This sheet only lists parameters for which additional modeling interpretation, usage guidance, or cross-twin selection advice is useful.

Requested Phase Profile¶

Role: Specifies the wavefront phase profile \(\Delta \psi^{\mathrm{prf}}\) to be added.

Spec-sheet insight: Three input formats are available: Even Order Radial Polynomial, User-Defined Formula, and Data Based. The profile is applied directly on the plane surface.

Flip Profile Phase Sign¶

Role: Inverts the sign of the specified wavefront phase profile.

Spec-sheet insight: Use this to correct a wrong sign setting without redefining the profile.

Selected Output Channel¶

Role: Selects the active output channel: Transmission or Reflection.

Spec-sheet insight: Only one channel is generated. The opposite channel is not available.

Consider Phase Effect Only¶

Role: Ignores amplitude and polarization effects from energy conservation.

Spec-sheet insight: Use this for studying the pure phase effect in isolation.

Display Wavefront Profile Data After Simulation¶

Role: Outputs the wavefront profile data after simulation.

Spec-sheet insight: The displayed data can be reused as input for other twins.

Aperture Size and Shape¶

Role: Defines the aperture truncation applied to the field before the phase modification.

Spec-sheet insight: This is a modeling parameter that affects the field support. Use the aperture variant when the finite extent of the component is physically relevant.

6 Recommended Usage¶

• Use this twin when the phase profile must be applied on a plane surface.
• Use the aperture option when the finite size of the optical element is physically relevant.
• Use the Data Based input format for phase profiles from measurements or external simulations.
• Use the Display Wavefront Profile Data After Simulation option to verify the applied profile.

7 Related Twins¶

Related twins belong to the same function-based family or to closely neighboring function-based variants.

8 Possible Replacement Twins¶

Replacement twins provide another modeling route for the same design intention.

9 Further Reading¶

For complete software parameter documentation, see the VirtualLab Fusion manual, Sec. 69.6, Wavefront Phase Modifier [Plane, Profile-Defined].

For the theoretical foundations of the Wavefront Phase Modifier family see the white paper on From Phase to Structure: A Two-Step Design Workflow with Wavefront Phase Modifier Twins (LightTrans Document ID: WP-WPM-PUB).