Modal and C Methods Grating Design and Analysis Software

Features:

MC Grating Software package is designed to run on any Windows© OS. The interface is written in Delphi, while the most critical matrix routines (LAPACK) are taken from Intel® MKL (version 2017 update 1). The routines in MKL are hand optimized by exploiting today's multicore and many core processors, wider vector units and other processor architectural features.

Generally the grating software is intended to calculate the diffraction efficiencies (power) and complex amplitude (module, phase or real, imagine part) of diffracted waves in superstrate (cover) and substrate under incidence of a plane wave from the cover. Also a complex field and power flow components in the structure and ambient medium can be calculated. If the structure hasn't a grating region at all the software considers this structure as a simple multilayer stack that has only reflected and transmitted waves (zero diffraction orders) and the calculations became very fast.

For 1D grating a search of incident plane wave resonance with a waveguide mode supported by the multilayer grating structure is available. This function includes search of double resonances in two different diffraction orders. The search results are effective refractive indexes of structure modes, resonance positions, resonance width and associated with the resonance poles parameters [13] in a complex plane with the wave vector projection on a grating and radiation coefficient as a coordinates. Poles parameters are accessible trough an "Analysis" window.

The Analysis option for 1D grating is intended to investigate a finite incident Gaussian beam reflection and transmission. Calculation is based on two different approaches: Fast Fourier transform of diffraction efficiencies angular scan or the poles approach if in advance a resonance search was fulfilled.

The multidimensional optimization method is based on the approach suggested by Davidon (1959), and further developed by Fletcher and Powell. The Davidon – Fletcher – Powell method [14] is a Quasi-Newton Method also known as a Variable Metrics Method. Almost every incident wave, and structure parameters, including refractive indexes, can be set as variables. There isn't any restriction on optimization search area except a physical meaning of the variable parameters (for example a layer thickness can not be negative). Several methods of a criterion function construction allow solving variety of design and inverse structure reconstruction problems.

In addition the 1D Modal methods based codes include an option to analyze the TMM or FMM modes (effective indexes and field distribution) in every layer including cross coupling and scattering matrix coefficients.

The Main material catalog contains dispersion data of many dielectric, metal and semiconductor materials. For the user convenience a frequently used materials can be copied into a custom catalog. The user can edit any material in this catalog or add any new material.

All codes have almost the same interface adapted for particular code possibilities. The main form is a container for independent project editor windows. Editor window may display a text with a structure parameters or a text table with results of calculation. The graphic tools take data from the results text table. This seems to be reasonable because the user has an opportunity to edit the data and display in a graphic form a saved data files. The user can change the results precision and diffraction orders of interest displayed in the text table without repeating calculation because a complete result data is kept in a PC memory. The structure parameters can be edited as from the text window or from dialog window "Settings". Dialog windows are also used to access any other options.

The MC Grating Software were successfully used for designing biosensors [15-16], selective ordinary [17] and grating [18,24] mirrors and broadband reflective gratings [19] for laser pulse compression.

Light version:

The MC Grating Software also has the Light version which price is four times lower than price of the Full version. This version is intended to calculate only diffraction efficiencies without additional options like: Analysis, Optimization, Fields, Resonances, Slider and Modes.

Demo version:

The MC Grating Software will work in demo mode without valid license key. Demo version has only one restriction: it sets all refractive indexes multiple to 0.5. For this reason a material catalog can be used only as a reference and refractive indexes can not be set as a variable parameters in optimization procedure. Nevertheless the demo version remains enough flexibility to serve for education and training needs. After obtaining valid license key software will work in full mode.

Current downloads are available:

Please note that since version 2020-04-15 only x64 bit version will be presented at our website. We suggest all our customers to use it due to higher performance. Please contact us if you still need x32 version.

Please note that since version 2016-11-02 our software doesn't support Windows XP OS due to Intel MKL 2017 requirements.

Please contact us at mc@mcgrating.com in case you need fresh version of our software compatible with Windows XP OS (older Intel MKL library will be used).

Since versions of 2013, all MC Grating Software modules use new licensing technology.

Users of old software licensing technology can simply receive new license key for free by writing us an email at mc@mcgrating.com.

MC Grating packages use FastMM4 library.

MC Grating Software is a solution of the diffraction grating analysis and design problems for multilayer periodic 1D and 2D grating structures:

  • Multilayer grating filters and mirrors.
  • Integrated optics grating couplers.
  • Biochemistry sensing chips.
  • Wire grid polarizes.
  • General multilayer structures.