Rsoft Cad Manual Jun 2026
Select for standard semiconductor/glass waveguides. Select Metallic for plasmonic or electrode layers. Define a Background Index (usually for air, or SiO2cap S i cap O sub 2 5. Building Geometric Structures RSoft CAD builds shapes using specific design primitives. Standard Components Segment: A straight line waveguide element. Arc: A curved waveguide section for bends and rings.
Select 2D (faster, useful for effective index approximations) or 3D (highly accurate, computationally demanding). Set Free-Space Wavelength (
: Stores global variables to enable parametric design sweeps.
The manual is designed to guide users through the intricate process of defining optical structures. Unlike standard mechanical CAD tools, RSoft is built specifically for photonics; therefore, the manual focuses heavily on how geometric definitions translate into electromagnetic boundary conditions. It covers the complete workflow: defining material properties, drawing 3D structures, setting simulation parameters, and running computational engines like BeamPROP, FullWAVE, and ModePROP. rsoft cad manual
Anchor your entire design to a central origin component, referencing other segments relative to that point. This makes moving the entire structure much simpler.
: Record real-time evolution (FullWAVE).
The RSoft CAD is much more than a drawing tool; it is the central nervous system of the industry-leading RSoft Photonic Device Tools suite. For the photonics engineer, device designer, or researcher, the RSoft CAD manual is an essential companion, transforming complex software into a powerful and efficient instrument. By mastering the concepts and workflows detailed within—from the creation of basic waveguides using the symbol table and material libraries to advanced techniques like dynamic arrays and GDS import/export—you unlock the ability to design, simulate, and optimize virtually any passive photonic device with accuracy and speed. Select for standard semiconductor/glass waveguides
For complex structures, the CAD includes layout utilities to automatically generate common patterns, such as photonic crystals, gratings, and Arrayed Waveguide Gratings (AWGs).
Before running a simulation, you must tell the software how to inject light: Click the button.
Curved routing paths used to change waveguide directions smoothly while minimizing radiation loss. Building Geometric Structures RSoft CAD builds shapes using
: Set up variables for dimensions and material properties in the Symbol Table. Create Geometry
: Specifically for computing band structures of photonic bandgap devices.
RSoft accepts complex mathematical expressions within component fields.If you want a second waveguide to sit exactly 2 microns away from the first, set its X-position to w_core + 2.0 .When you update w_core , the entire geometry automatically updates without breaking the layout. 4. Advanced Geometry Techniques
RSoft uses structural building blocks called . The most common shapes include:
Mastering the RSoft CAD manual is the first step toward successful photonic prototyping. By focusing on variable-driven design and understanding the underlying coordinate systems, users can transition from simple waveguide layouts to complex, optimized optical systems. Always ensure your grid resolution is checked against the wavelength of light to maintain simulation accuracy. Share public link