Your CAD layout must be prepared correctly before launching a simulation. Grid Size Allocation The grid size ( ) determines accuracy and compute time. For FDTD (FullWAVE), the grid size should be at most inside the material. Finer grids prevent artificial numerical scattering. Boundary Conditions
: Select or define the default material for the structures you are about to draw.
The Symbol Table is the brain of your RSoft project.Access it via the button on the top toolbar. Creating Variables Click New Row in the Symbol Table. Enter a unique name (e.g., wg_width ). Assign a numeric value or a mathematical formula. Add a comment to keep track of your design intent. Mathematical Expressions
: Used to create 3D rectangular volumes, substrates, or cladding layers.
Double-clicking any component opens its properties box. You must map these correctly: rsoft cad manual
Hardcoded dimensions ruin design optimization.RSoft CAD relies entirely on a .You define variables for widths, lengths, and periods.Changing one variable instantly updates the entire structure.This makes automated optimization and tolerance analysis possible. 2. Navigating the User Interface Understanding the workspace speeds up your design workflow. Main Workspace Zones
The manual typically outlines a workflow that transitions from geometric design to active simulation: Design Setup:
Components: These include basic shapes like blocks, cylinders, and polygons.Segments: Specifically designed for waveguide-based structures, segments can be straight, tapered, or curved (S-bends and arcs).Profiles: Every object is assigned a "profile" which dictates its refractive index or optical properties. Profiles can be simple dielectric constants, complex dispersive materials from a library, or user-defined anisotropic tensors.
Use built-in database models (like Lorentz-Drude) to simulate how materials behave across a spectrum of wavelengths. Your CAD layout must be prepared correctly before
What are you designing? (e.g., Ring Resonator, Photonic Crystal, Grating Coupler)
For engineers and researchers in integrated photonics, the RSoft suite from Synopsys is a cornerstone for simulating light propagation in waveguides, fibers, and diffractive optics. At the heart of this powerful ecosystem lies the . While the individual solvers (BPM, FDTD, GratingMOD) get the glory, the CAD environment is the silent workhorse. To truly master it, one must turn to the definitive source of truth: The RSoft CAD Environment User Manual .
Points or planes that record the electric and magnetic fields over time, allowing you to calculate the frequency response via a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). 5. Grid Generation and Mesh Optimization
RSoft CAD environment is the foundational interface for Synopsys' RSoft Photonic Device Tools, providing a unified layout editor used to design photonic devices for simulation across different engines like DiffractMOD Core Workflow & Features Finer grids prevent artificial numerical scattering
The CAD interface acts as the control center for executing simulations. Defining Launch Conditions
Tip: use a parameter sweep over period/duty cycle to optimize peak coupling.
Absorbs outgoing waves completely. Use this for open boundaries.
A key feature of the RSoft CAD is its use of symbolic variables. Rather than entering static numerical values for lengths or widths, users can define variables (e.g., "width = 0.5"). This allows for easy parametric sweeps and optimization, as changing a single variable updates all dependent objects in the design. Object Construction and Properties








