Dear users:
Thank you all for your attention and support to the SimWorks software. To further optimize the user experience and enhance the simulation quality, this software has been updated to version 2.6.0. The key update contents this time are:

• New Inverse Design Optimization Based on Parametric Modeling : Inverse design is an optimization-based automated method for solving photonic structures in high-dimensional design spaces to meet target performance criteria. As integrated photonic devices grow increasingly complex in geometry, size, and performance requirements, traditional manual design approaches relying on expert intuition are no longer sufficient. Inverse design enables efficient, high-precision automatic device synthesis through closed-loop iterations combining mathematical optimization and physical simulation.

• 2D FDTD/FDFD Solvers Support Arbitrary Simulation Planes : When the solver dimension is set to 2D or 2.5D, a new Solver Spatial Type configuration option is added. Users can now flexibly select the simulation plane (XY, YZ, or ZX) in 3D space by specifying the normal direction (2D X Normal, 2D Y Normal, or 2D Z Normal) according to the spatial characteristics of their model. This enhancement removes the previous limitation of fixed coordinate planes for 2D/2.5D simulations, enabling alignment with actual device geometry and physics while maintaining computational efficiency and significantly improving modeling accuracy and applicability. As shown in the figure below, an elliptical cylinder exhibits distinct geometric features when simulated on different planes (XY, YZ, or ZX), yielding correspondingly different results.

• New Import (n,k) Material Structure : A new (n, k) Material structure is introduced, allowing users to import spatially sampled real (n) and imaginary (k) parts of the refractive index into an Import structure object to construct custom spatially varying material distributions. Users can import text files containing n/k values along with their corresponding spatial coordinates via the GUI, and the software automatically generates the associated (n, k) material model. The resulting structure’s geometry can be further edited, and a complete set of script commands for Import (n,k) Material is provided to support automated modeling and simulation workflows. It is particularly valuable for research and engineering applications requiring precise representation of spatially non-uniform optical properties—such as reconstructing local optical parameters derived from experimental data, multiphysics simulations, or advanced fabrication processes.
  Note: The current version has the following limitations:

  • (1) Supports only isotropic materials;
  • (2) Applies only to uniform grids;
  • (3) Mesh refinement method is limited to Staircase.

• New Simulation Page Added to Preferences Window : The new Simulation page centralizes core configuration settings related to simulation behavior and spatial types, including:

  • Clear simulation result when switching to Design layout: When enabled, all existing simulation results in the current project are automatically cleared upon switching from the Run layout to the Design layout—whether via the To Design button or the switchtodesign script command. This helps prevent accidental reuse of outdated results after design modifications, ensuring consistency between the current structure and simulation output.
  • Specifies the plane used when inserting structures: Fixes the structure creation direction (scene view type) so it no longer changes when the view plane in the Composite View is switched. Note that changing this setting may alter structure orientation compared to previous versions; users should verify their models or scripts after adjustment to avoid simulation inaccuracies.
  • Default simulation plane for 2D FDTD: Allows users to specify a default simulation plane (e.g., XY, YZ, or ZX) for 2D/2.5D FDTD solvers, enabling automatic alignment with preferred working planes when creating new simulations and improving modeling efficiency and consistency.

Complete update content see - Release Notes, Welcome users to download to use - Customer Downloads !
Shandong Guangfang Software Company has been deeply engaged in the development of optical simulation software for many years, committed to providing more professional and efficient simulation services. Once again, we thank you all for your attention and look forward to your feedback and valuable suggestions!