PAM2R

Intro

PAM2R (Pyramidal Acronyms May be Too Risky) is a DLL (Dynamic Linked Library) defining a user surface for ZEMAX, describing a pyramid as an optical element for geometrical ray-tracing purposes. It has been developed mainly for adaptive optics wavefront sensors, but its maturity allows other uses.
The DLL is compatible with last versions of Zemax and OpticStudio, 32 and 64 bit versions.
Both 64 bit and 32 bit extensions are downloadable.
Description of PAM2R ray-tracing properties are detailed in Papers ; Examples allow a better understanding of the surface available at the Downloads section.
If you find useful PAM2R for your designs, please add a citation to this page or cite our papers in your publications.Thanks!
To stay up to date on PAM2R upgrades, report bugs and propose impovements, please, join the PAM2R mailing list.

Papers

Proceeding for AO4ELT
Poster for AO4ELT
SPIE JATIS Paper

Examples

Notes in each zip file.
pam2r_v1.0_dummy_glass_roof_wfs.zip
pam2r_v1.0_equivalent_LBT_FLAO_wfs.zip
pam2r_v1.0_equivalent_Wang_et_al_2010_wfs.zip

Downloads

PAM2R 64 bit
PAM2R 32 bit
To install: Download the right version of the DLL (32 or 64 bit) and copy the .dll file in the [ZEMAX]\DLL\Surfaces\ folder , where [ZEMAX] stands for the installation folder of Zemax or OpticStudio (e.g. C:\Program Files\Zemax\)
To use: insert a User Defined surface and choose the pam2r dll as the Surface DLL.
Please note: to work correctly, PAM2R surface has to be inserted in the system after the aperture stop position (ray-aiming on) or after the entrance pupil position (ray-aiming off); this is to prevent possible problems with the tracing of the chief ray, possibly reaching the PAM2R vertex or edges.

Warning for OpticStudio users

PAM2R DLL works correctly in OpticStudio up to version 15.5 (included). For version higher than 15.5, OpticStudio returns an error if the DLL is loaded in a surface that is not the first one.
Here is a workaround:
Step 1) in the first session of OpticStudio open a new file and load pam2r on the first surface, or simply open the file linked here.
Step 2) open your file in a second session of OpticStudio, leaving the first open, and load the DLL also here. No error is raised and you can work with pam2r DLL as usual.

PAM2R Mailing List

Please, subscribe to PAM2R mailing list to stay up to date on DLL upgrades, report bugs and propose impovements.