Mode source - Plot and analysis options - Simulation Object

 The plot and analysis windows are shown in the screenshot below.

The left portion of the window displays the calculation parameters:

• FREQUENCY: the frequency at which the modes are solved for.
• WAVELENGTH: the wavelength at which the modes are solved for.
• NUMBER OF TRIAL MODES: the number of modes to be calculated.
• SEARCH: this pull-down allows the user to specify which option to search for modes in, the available options are:
  • NEAR N: Allows you to look for modes near a desired effective index.
    - USE MAX INDEX: Search for modes near the maximum index found in the meshed cross section.
    - N: Choose the effective index to search for.
  • IN RANGE: Allows you to search for modes in a desired range of indices.
    - N1, N2: Define the range of indices to search over.

• BENT WAVEGUIDE: Allows the user to specify a current radius of curvature for the mode and solver for the modes of a bent waveguide. See Bent waveguide calculation for a more detailed description.
• BEND RADIUS: the bend radius of the waveguide measured from the center of the mode solver region
• BEND ORIENTATION: the orientation of the radius of curvature.

• CALCULATE MODE: by clicking this button the mode solver will start the calculation for the waveguide modes given the criteria above.
• RESTORE LAST SETTINGS: restores the calculation parameters to the current simulation parameters corresponding to the modes that have been calculated.

Figure window

The plot itself where the data appears is automatically labeled and scaled to fit the simulation data. As with the layout editor, the plot can be zoomed using the standard mouse actions. Note, however, that the mouse is automatically in the zoom state when over the plotted data and therefore the keyboard shortcut Z is not necessary.

Mode plot options

The MODE PLOT OPTIONS can be set in the bottom right of the MODE ANALYSIS window, the options are

• PLOT: This pull-down allows the user specifies what simulation data should be plotted within the plot area.

Box 1 specifies what general class of data to plot:

• MODAL FIELDS: allows the user to select various field quantities such as electric and magnetic field amplitudes and intensities and Poynting vectors using the COMPONENT pull-down
• MATERIAL PROPERTIES: allows the user to select various physical quantities such as refractive index, permittivity, and conductivity using the COMPONENT pull-down

Box 2 specifies which part of complex-valued simulation data is to plot:

• AMPLITUDE
• PHASE
• REAL PART
• IMAGINARY PART

• COMPONENT: This pull-down allows the user to specify which specific component is to be plotted within the plot area. The available options depend on the setting of the PLOT pull-down.

• COORDINATES: currently supports only the CARTESIAN coordinate system.
• LINEAR/LOG SCALE: determines whether the simulation data is plotted on a linear or a log plot
• SUPERIMPOSE STRUCTURE: toggles whether a black outline showing the physical structure is superimposed on the simulation data