Learning Forum

[Shin-Sung Kim]

While Lumerical optical solvers come with a default material database that includes a large amount of materials, it is possible that you might want to add a new material that you want to use in your simulation. There are several ways how to do this:nObtain material data from a third-party source or measure them if you have the equipment and import them from file: Creating new sampled data materials in FDTDnUse analytic function to describe your material properties: Tips and simple example for using the analytic material model in FDTDnUse the basic permittivity or refractive index material models that are supported by the material database. You can modify the model parameters in the property panel. See the following KB page for a full list of supported basic models: Standard optical permittivity material models in FDTD and MODEnUse one of the advanced material models that come with FDTD (requires you to obtain appropriate coefficients): Advanced and custom optical material models in FDTD and MODEnIf you do not have the material data or the related analytical formula on hand, it is a good idea to try a quick Google search e.g. "In2O3 refractive index". There is a good chance that you will find the data for the material of your interest.nAlso, publications using similar materials or focusing on similar applications tend to be a good resource.nOnce you import your material into Lumerical, it will be saved in the simulation file, but it will not be available in the default material library that is loaded when you start a new project. To modify the default materials that appear when you create a new simulation:n1. Locate the default sub-directory of the installation. By default it will be located at:nWindows:C:\Program Files\Lumerical\defaultsnLinux: /opt/lumerical/api/defaultsnMac: /Applications/Lumerical/.app /Contents/Applications/FDTD\ Solutions.app/Contents/Resources/defaultsnwhere version will be 2019b, 2020a, … etc.n2. Copy the default simulation file to your desktop. Optionally, you may also want to make a backup of this file.n3. Open the file on your desktop and make all required modifications to the material database in this file. This might include deleting unused materials and creating new materials.n4. Copy this file back into the default sub-directory. This generally requires Administrator access.nNext time you start the product, the updated material database should appear automatically.n