PASADENA, Calif., May 7, 2008 -- Optical Research Associates (ORA) said the latest version of its LightTools illumination design and analysis software, LightTools 6.1, delivers a number of advanced modeling and analysis features that facilitate the design of sophisticated luminaires, LEDs, and displays.

For example, LightTools 6.1 includes a new "ray path" feature that makes it easy to identify exactly what system elements are contributing to light loss, scatter, unintentional reflections, or ghost images. This is particularly useful in the design of stray-light sensitive systems, such as microlithography steppers or astronomical instruments, the company said. LightTools also now supports accurate modeling of scattering surfaces by allowing users to apply measured BSDF (bidirectional scatter distribution function) data, both isotropic and anisotropic, to a surface.

Additionally, the software comes with a library of BSDF data of reflective materials most commonly used in luminaire construction, including those available from companies such as Alanod and Almeco. Support for gradient index (GRIN) lenses has also been added, including radial, axial, spherical, and user-defined gradients.

Accurate modeling of LEDs with LightTools has been further extended with new ways to specify the properties of phosphors, ORA said. In particular, the mean free path (the average distance that a ray will travel in a material before striking a phosphor particle) can now be described as a constant, as a wavelength-dependent quantity, or by using Mie-scattering theory.

LightTools has also been enhanced with expanded foreign language support; in addition to the long-available Japanese, program menus and dialog boxes are now available in French, German, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, and Korean.

For more information, visit: www.opticalres.com; e-mail: info@opticalres.com

Optical Research Associates
3280 E. Foothill Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
Phone: (626) 795-9101
Fax: (626) 795-0184

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