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Case Study

Engaging Students in Optics Education by Providing an Understanding of Optical Element Design Procedures

“By incorporating hands-on exercises using Ansys software into graduate lectures, we were able to inspire students’ interest in optics and enhance their understanding of physical concepts and simulation knowledge.”

- Daisuke Nakamura, Associate Professor, Kyushu University

Hands-on exercises using Ansys software were introduced in the graduate course Applied Electromagnetic Energy Engineering I, II at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan. This approach enabled students to deepen their understanding of physical concepts that could not be fully comprehended through lectures alone. Specifically, students gained a visual understanding of how various parameters of optical elements affect the behavior of light by modifying numerical values within the software. This initiative enhanced students' engagement and overall course satisfaction.

daisuke nakamura

Dr. Daisuke Nakamura

Challenges

The primary challenge was incorporating hands-on exercises into a curriculum previously focused on lectures. To address this, world-renowned, widely used Ansys optical design software was chosen, enabling students to gain practical, real-world knowledge. No specific requirements for usability were set, but the focus was on leveraging effective and intuitive design tools.

Engineering Solutions 

Hands-on exercises utilizing Ansys software were designed to complement lecture-based learning and deepen the foundational understanding of optical elements:

  • Enhanced visual understanding: Students could visually observe ray tracing and beam focusing. They received instant feedback when parameters were modified, facilitating a deeper understanding of physical concepts.
  • Optimization capabilities: The software’s optimization features enabled students to simulate real-world optical design processes, enhancing their practical skills.
ito campus west building

Ito Campus West Building 2 (West Zone) at Kyushu University

classroom instruction

Katsumoto Ikeda, manager of application engineering at Ansys, introduces Ansys Zemax OpticStudio software to a laser engineering class.

Benefits

This initiative significantly improved students' learning outcomes and course satisfaction:

  • Improved understanding of physical concepts: Students gained knowledge that could not be achieved through lectures alone, enhancing their theoretical and practical understanding.
  • Skill development in simulation and design: By experiencing industry-standard software, students improved their simulation knowledge and developed foundational skills relevant to optical design.