Scalability of a cross-platform multi-threaded non-sequential optical ray tracer

Alan W. Greynolds

doi:10.1117/12.891920

9 September 2011 Scalability of a cross-platform multi-threaded non-sequential optical ray tracer

Alan W. Greynolds

Proceedings Volume 8129, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization XIV; 81290C (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.891920
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The GelOE optical engineering software implements multi-threaded ray tracing with just a few simple cross-platform OpenMP directives. Timings as a function of the number of threads are presented for two quite different ZEMAX non-sequential sample problems running on a dual-boot 12-core Apple computer and compared to not only ZEMAX but also FRED (plus single-threaded ASAP and CodeV). Also discussed are the relative merits of using Mac OSX or Windows 7, 32-bit or 64-bit mode, single or double precision floats, and the Intel or GCC compilers. It is found that simple cross-platform multi-threading can be more efficient than the Windows-specific kind used in the commercial codes and who's the fastest ray tracer depends on the specific problem. Note that besides ray trace speed, overall productivity also depends on other things like visualization, ease-of-use, documentation, and technical support of which none are rated here.

Citation Download Citation

Alan W. Greynolds "Scalability of a cross-platform multi-threaded non-sequential optical ray tracer", Proc. SPIE 8129, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization XIV, 81290C (9 September 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.891920

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available