Another major feature has just been released. This version of the RayLab adds the ability to model beam splitters. You can model polarizing or non-polarizing cube beam splitters and pellicle beam splitters with adjustable reflectance parameters Rs, Rp.

You can also model partial reflection/refraction at all glass surfaces using the Fresnel equations.

In addition, it is now possible to model interference patterns using the Coherent Detector analysis window.

RayLab 4.00 has been released with multiple new features. Most prominently the ability model polarization. Additional information on using this functionality is available at:

• Polarization Ray Tracing User Manual Page

Also available in 4.00:

• The ability to animate between configurations.
• The ability to perform image formation simulations.

RayLab 3.10 has been released with many improvements including support for iPad Pro. Additionally, iPhone users will enjoy a much more convenient UI for editing model properties similar to the iPad version of RayLab. That is the surface parameters can now be changed while the model is visible:

Another major feature of this release is support for arrays of arbitrary optical elements or sources (See more details).

RayLab 3.0 has just been released in the App store.

This upgrade is a major step up in capability for RayLab. You can now create full 3 dimensional optical models. The model can be easily rotated and viewed from any direction.

The upgrade also adds various non symmetric elements such as cylindrical lenses and prisms.

Zemax import functionality has also been enhanced to handle 3D models.

Many of the analysis and report options which were available in 2D models are also available in 3D models.

RayLab 2.22 has just been released in the App store.

The main new feature in this release is Ray Transfer Matrix (ABCD) analysis. I am quite excited about this feature. In addition to the basic Ray Transfer Matrix which is described in most introductory treatments of the subject, RayLab can perform some more sophisticated RTM calculations allowing it to be used with non axial optical systems. It took some time to work out and implement the more general techniques. Thanks to professor Lee Townsend for pointing out some very useful references on the subject.

More details on RayLab’s Ray Transfer Matrix analysis here.