Modeling infrared beam lines with Shadow and Zemax

Ray tracing software is an important tool in the design and develop infrared beam lines. It provides layout coordinates, beam shape and size at mirrors, location of foci and performance estimates. Of the software that models reflective optics, a combination of Shadow [1] and Zemax [2] are discussed. Shadow generates light source rays from its accurate model of synchrotron bend magnets to provide realistic ray distributions. The optical path is traced from this source via optical components to a final image. Although Shadow makes the entire ray trace it has limited graphics and export capability that are features of Zemax. The source rays and optical coordinates generated by Shadow can be used by Zemax to position the optics and launch the rays to simulate the actual system. A conversion of the synchrotron source generated in Shadow that Zemax can use is presented.