optiland/optiland

What it solves

Optiland provides an open-source platform for the design, simulation, and optimization of optical systems. It bridges the gap between classical lens design (refractive and reflective layouts) and modern computational optics, allowing engineers to model everything from simple singlets to complex freeform assemblies with professional-grade precision.

How it works

The platform uses a Python-based object-oriented API to define optical surfaces, apertures, and wavelengths. It features a dual-engine backend: NumPy is used for fast CPU-based calculations, while PyTorch is integrated to enable GPU acceleration and automatic differentiation (autograd). This allows users to switch between traditional ray-tracing analysis and differentiable modeling for hybrid physics-ML workflows.

Who it’s for

It is designed for optical engineers, researchers, and students who need a flexible tool for prototyping and refining real-world optical instruments, particularly those requiring high-performance optimization or integration with machine learning pipelines.

Highlights

• Differentiable Core: Supports seamless switching between NumPy and PyTorch for GPU-accelerated ray tracing and autograd-enabled optimization.
• Comprehensive Analysis: Generates spot diagrams, wavefront error maps, PSF/MTF plots, and Zernike decompositions.
• Advanced Surface Support: Handles spherical, aspheric, conic, and freeform surfaces.
• Interoperability: Imports and exports files from industry-standard software like Zemax, CODE V, and OSLO.
• Integrated Material Library: Provides access to refractiveindex.info and includes a GlassExpert module for intelligent material selection.
• Tolerancing: Includes Monte Carlo and parametric sensitivity analysis to evaluate manufacturability.