VirtualLab Fusion 2026: The Digital Twin Platform for Light

VirtualLab Fusion 2026 is LightTrans’ next-generation physical optics simulation platform built around the concept of an “Optical Digital Twin.” This release marks a paradigm shift from assembling separate simulation components toward a unified, interoperable system where every source, component, and detector carries its own digital twin, communicating through a common electromagnetic field protocol.

Key New Features

Optical Digital Twin Hub

Introduced in version 2026.1, the Optical Digital Twin Hub serves as the central gateway for all digital twins of light sources, components, objects, and detectors. Users browse, select, and combine simulation models from a unified library. Each twin contains its own dedicated simulation model, communicating via electromagnetic fields as a universal language, orchestrated by the Field Tracing Engine.

Metalens Twin

The flagship feature of 2026.1. Its built-in Surrogate Model trains once for each meta-atom type across the full parameter space, replacing RCWA calculations that previously took days with evaluations completed in minutes. This makes metalens design exploration and system-level verification practical rather than prohibitive.

Surrogate Model Evaluation & Query Tools (New in 2026.2)

Version 2026.2 extends the surrogate model workflow with new query tools including Forward Query (1D/2D) and Design Related Scan, allowing users to analyze a model’s optical response before using it in metasurface design and verify its valid parameter range.

Wavefront Phase Modifier Twin Family (New in 2026.2)

A new Wavefront Phase Modifier twin family enables phase modulation on planar or curved surfaces. Two variants are available: Profile-Defined (directly applies a predefined phase profile) and Output-Defined (automatically derives modulation from a target output wavefront), the latter simplifying complex tasks such as automatic collimation of curved beams.

CODE V System Import

Since 2026.1, users can directly import CODE V systems, seamlessly integrating existing lens designs into the VirtualLab Fusion environment and bridging traditional optical workflows with modern physical optics simulation.