Optical functions

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Optical functions

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Definition of optical functions

Starting with version 2.2 you can access information about objects using so-called 'Optical functions'. Typical values are the refractive index of a material or reflectance and transmittance values of spectra at certain spectral positions. 'Optical functions' are defined in the list of optical functions. You can open this list in the main window with 'Objects|Optical functions':

 

optical_functions1

 

Using the '+' button you can create a new entry in this list:

 

optical_functions2

 

In order to define a function enter an expression in the column 'Function'. If you press Update SCOUT tries to evaluate the function (see below) and displays the result in the column 'Value' using as many digits as you specify in the 'Decimals' column. If the function cannot be evaluated a zero is returned.

 

Valid expressions

The expressions to be used to define optical functions are very simple: object name(argument). The object name must be exactly the same as it appears in your SCOUT configuration.There must be no space between the object's name and the argument. The argument is passed to the object which returns the result - if possible. If you have to specify a spectral position in the argument you can use all units that SCOUT knows, e.g. nm, 1/cm or eV.

 

The search order for the object is the following

global        

material list

layer stack list

spectra list

special computation list

spectrometer list

workbook

 

The CODE software which is based on SCOUT will search in the list of integral quantities as well.

 

Creating optical functions by drag&drop

The easy way to generate optical functions is by drag&drop. Drag a material (here: Ag) from the list of materials and drop it on the list of optical functions. The following items are generated automatically:

 

optical_functions3

 

You can drag other objects like spectra (and integral quantities in CODE) as well to generate items in the list of optical functions.

 

Where do optical functions appear?

The values of all optical functions are written to the workbook after the Export command in the main window.

They are also listed in the Batch control window when the results for a sample are reported.

The values of optical functions can be displayed in views.

You can use optical functions in user-defined expressions using terms like 'of(i)' where i is the index of the optical function to be addressed. The function call of(2) of the example above would return the value 3.13.

Optical functions can be used to compute results of a parameter variation object in the list of special computations.

Optical functions can be used to compute final numbers.