About
VirtualLab Fusion is the industry-leading Digital Twin Platform for Light, developed and distributed by LightTrans International. Designed for optical engineers, photonics researchers, and R&D teams, it provides a unified simulation environment that bridges geometrical optics and electromagnetic (wave) optics — eliminating the need to switch between isolated tools. The platform supports a comprehensive range of applications including diffractive optics, metasurfaces, diffraction gratings, flat lenses (metalenses), AR/VR/XR lightguides, light shaping components, fiber coupling, and ultrashort laser physics. VirtualLab Fusion's multiscale simulation approach allows users to incorporate diffraction effects precisely where needed, while retaining speed in regions where geometrical optics suffice. The software features versatile light source modeling, numerous optical evaluation methods, distributed computing support for large-scale simulations, and a built-in optimization package. Specialized add-on packages — including the Grating Package, Diffractive Optics Package, Flat Lens Package, AR/VR/XR Package, and Light Shaping Package — let teams configure the platform to their specific domain. Winner of the 2026 SPIE Prism Award in the XR Technology category, VirtualLab Fusion is trusted by leading photonics companies and research institutions worldwide. A free trial version is available for evaluation.
Key Features
- Multiscale Optical Simulation: Seamlessly combines geometrical optics and rigorous electromagnetic (wave) optics within a single unified platform for accurate multiscale modeling.
- Diffractive & Flat Optics Design: Dedicated packages for modeling diffraction gratings, diffractive optical elements, metalenses, and metasurfaces with high fidelity.
- AR/VR/XR Lightguide Solution: Purpose-built tools to design, analyze, and optimize diffractive lightguides used in augmented, virtual, and extended reality display systems.
- Distributed Computing & Optimization: Accelerate large-scale simulations with distributed computing support and built-in optimization algorithms for automated component and system design.
- Modular Package Configuration: Tailor the platform with specialized add-ons including Grating, Diffractive Optics, Flat Lens, Light Shaping, and AR/VR/XR packages to match your specific application needs.
Use Cases
- Designing and optimizing diffractive lightguides for AR/VR/XR headsets and smart glasses
- Simulating and characterizing diffraction gratings, metasurfaces, and flat metalenses for photonic devices
- Modeling fiber coupling efficiency for laser and telecommunications optical assemblies
- Performing end-to-end simulation of complex lens systems where both ray optics and wave effects are critical
- Accelerating photonics R&D workflows by creating accurate digital twins of optical components and systems
Pros
- Unified Multiscale Environment: Eliminates the need to switch between separate geometrical and wave-optics tools, streamlining complex design workflows in one interoperable platform.
- Industry-Recognized Accuracy: Trusted simulation accuracy validated by leading photonics companies and research institutions; winner of the 2026 SPIE Prism Award in XR Technology.
- Broad Application Coverage: Supports a wide range of cutting-edge domains — from diffractive optics and metasurfaces to AR/VR lightguides and ultrashort laser physics — within a single license framework.
- Free Trial Available: Prospective users can evaluate the full platform via a downloadable free trial before committing to a commercial license.
Cons
- Steep Learning Curve: The depth and breadth of simulation capabilities require significant expertise in photonics and optics to leverage effectively, which may challenge newcomers.
- Premium Pricing: As a professional enterprise-grade tool, licensing costs can be substantial, particularly when multiple add-on packages are required.
- Desktop-Focused Deployment: Primarily a desktop application (Windows), which may limit accessibility for teams preferring fully cloud-based or browser-native workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of optical systems can VirtualLab Fusion simulate?
VirtualLab Fusion can simulate a broad range of optical systems including diffractive optics, diffraction gratings, metasurfaces, flat lenses (metalenses), AR/VR/XR diffractive lightguides, fiber coupling setups, light shaping components, and ultrashort laser pulse propagation systems.
Can I try VirtualLab Fusion before purchasing a license?
Yes, LightTrans offers a free trial version of VirtualLab Fusion that can be downloaded from their website, allowing engineers and researchers to evaluate the platform's capabilities before purchasing.
What is the multiscale simulation approach in VirtualLab Fusion?
Multiscale simulation means that VirtualLab Fusion seamlessly integrates geometrical (ray) optics for large-scale system modeling with rigorous electromagnetic (wave) optics where diffraction effects are critical — providing both speed and accuracy within the same simulation environment.
What add-on packages are available for VirtualLab Fusion?
VirtualLab Fusion offers several specialized packages: the Grating Package, Diffractive Optics Package, Flat Lens Package, AR/VR/XR Package, Light Shaping Package, Distributed Computing Package, and Optimization Package. These can be combined to tailor the platform to specific application needs.
Who is VirtualLab Fusion designed for?
VirtualLab Fusion is designed for optical engineers, photonics researchers, and R&D teams at companies and universities working on advanced optical systems, particularly those involving diffractive components, AR/VR optics, laser systems, and other complex photonic designs.
