Engineering Tools

Custom engineering tools. Connected engineering workflows.

Through engineering consultancy, PWS develops an optimised solution for your project. This can include a focused custom tool or a connected workflow, delivered through PWS Studio so your team can continue developing the design.

Return to homepage

The workflow environment - PWS Studio

A home for your custom engineering tools and workflows.

Individual tools provide focused engineering functionality. PWS Studio brings those tools together so a project can move from design and simulation through to analysis and reporting in one consistent workflow environment.

DefineWe map your workflow / custom tool requirements in an exploratory meeting.

DevelopThe tools and/or connected workflow are built and refined through consulting time.

DeliverYou receive the optimised design or custom tool, along with a project-specific workflow where relevant.

Example workflow

From curved-mirror concept to engineering report.

A connected sequence of purpose-built tools carries the same design through each stage, keeping inputs, outputs and decisions together.

3D ray-tracing view of the curved-mirror simulation

01 / Simulation

Model the optical system

Set the optical source and detector properties.
Define the curved-mirror geometry and position.
Inspect ray paths and coupling performance in 3D.

The optical system is ready for optimisation and verification.

02 / Generate

Generate the test structure layout

Turn the selected optical design into an array of test structures.
Create a design of experiments that varies chosen parameters across the array.
Feed measurements from a fabricated part back into the tool to bias future designs.

The completed layout can now be exported as a fabrication-ready file.

Parameterised curved-mirror device layout generation in PWS Studio

Curved-mirror design and measurement analysis in PWS Studio

03 / Analysis

Analyse the finished device

Load measurement data from the fabricated test structures.
Assess the measured curvature across each device.
Compare the realised structures with the intended design.

The measured device performance is ready to inform the next design iteration.

04 / Reporting

Build the engineering report

Collect the design and simulation results.
Include the generated test structures and fabrication details.
Bring the measurement analysis into the same record.

The complete engineering report is ready to review and share.

Automated curved-mirror engineering report in PWS Studio

What you receive

An optimised design and the environment to take it forward.

PWS delivers more than software. The engineering work, configured tools and project outputs are brought together to shorten your path from concept to prototype.

Optimised design

A solution developed and refined around your technical requirements.

Configured software

PWS Studio prepared with the tools and workflow created for your project.

Prototype pathway

A practical environment for iterating the design and progressing it towards fabrication and testing.

Engineering outputs

The relevant fabrication files, analysis results and reports produced by the workflow.

Example tools

Purpose-built functionality for real engineering work.

These tools can be developed as independent engineering utilities or connected as stages within a wider PWS Studio workflow.

01 / Simulation

Optical simulation

Purpose-built tools for modelling optical components, photonic devices and complete systems.

3D ray tracing

Model free-space systems containing curved surfaces, refractive lenses, mirrors, sources and detectors.

Eigenmode expansion (EME)

Simulate waveguides, photonic integrated circuits and waveguide couplers using guided-mode propagation.

Metalens simulation

Use rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) for unit-cell modelling, with FDTD available for full-lens verification.

Simulation extensions

Convergence testing
Design optimisation
Monte Carlo tolerance analysis

02 / Generation

Device & layout generation

Create parameterised devices, test structures and fabrication-ready layouts.

Diffractive lenses
Arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs)
Design of experiments
Fabrication-ready design outputs

03 / Analysis

Image & measurement analysis

Compare fabricated parts with their simulated and optimised designs.

Automated post-bond alignment analysis
Feature-size measurement
Automated feature detection
Curvature analysis

Built through consultancy

Fund the development. Keep the result.

The optimised design and configured tools are developed through consulting time, in close collaboration with your engineers. Once the agreed work is complete, the client keeps both—there is no ongoing subscription required.

A durable engineering asset, built around your workflow.

Build a better workflow

What could your team automate?

Get in touch to discuss custom engineering tools or a connected PWS Studio workflow for your photonics project.