Lumerical Solutions, Inc. has introduced MODE Solutions Release 4.0. It builds on the technology of earlier releases to model arbitrary-geometry waveguiding components of scientific and industrial interest by incorporating Conformal Mesh Technology to describe the interface between different materials. In addition to support for Windows and Linux, newly expanded operating system support for Mac OS X enables designers to use the application on their operating system of choice. In addition, Lumerical’s licensing allows for the use of the application on different systems without additional cost. Dockable windows, an integrated search utility linking the user to application notes in the online knowledge base, and hierarchical layout and design parameterization features are also included in MODE Solutions 4.0. Conformal Meshing Technology makes it possible to obtain high accuracy results without having to use a really fine spatial mesh, according to the company. “This technique can resolve interfaces to much higher precision than conventional staircase meshing without the need for an extremely fine computation grid,” says Dr. James Pond, Lumerical’s CTO. “This makes it an ideal method to solve structures with thin layers, curved surfaces and high index contrast materials, including the surface plasmon and silicon-on-insulator waveguides being investigated for optical interconnects and other silicon photonics applications.” Interested users can download a free, 30-day trial of MODE Solutions online. Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.
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