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PyOpticL

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PyOpticL: a code-to-CAD optical layout tool for modular optics systems engineering

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<br>

### Code-to-CAD Optical Engineering

Design optical systems in Python and automatically generate modular CAD models of optical hardware.

[Publication](https://quantum-journal.org/papers/q-2026-06-15-2135/) •
[Examples](#modular-baseplate-examples) •
[Quick Start](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Quick-Start) •
[Discord](https://discord.gg/vV4NP6rXmp)

</div>

PyOpticL (Python Optics Layout) is a Python library for code-to-CAD design of optical systems using modular baseplates. It places optics along simulated beam paths, including branched beam paths, so routing is automatic and dynamic as optics are added or modified. Baseplates are designed to be easily machined or 3D printed and mounted on an optical table. Baseplates are easy to set up as aligning optics on the baseplate is like 'paint by numbers', with each optic having a pre-aligned mount. Baseplates are reusable building blocks that can be combined into modular subsystems. Subsystems are also reusable at various wavelengths such that they can be easily combined into many different experimental apparatuses.

If you use PyOpticL in your research, please cite our paper published in Quantum. The paper introduces PyOpticL and demonstrates its use in a trapped-ion quantum computing experiment, including laser cooling, state detection, and high-fidelity qubit operations.

## What can I design and build with PyOpticL?

- [Laser Pulse Control Systems](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Module-‐-Doublepass-Baseplate)
- [Extended-Cavity Diode Lasers (ECDLs)](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Module-%E2%80%90-ECDL-with-Isolation-Baseplate)
- [Saturation Absorption Spectroscopy](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Module-%E2%80%90-Saturation-Absorption-Spectroscopy-Baseplate)
- [Qubit Laser Systems](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Subsystem-%E2%80%90-Raman)
- [Neutral Atom Quantum Computer](https://github.com/hybrid-lab/PyOpticL_Rubidium_System)
- [Trapped Ion Quantum Computer](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Apparatus-%E2%80%90-Trapped-Ions-%E2%80%90-Strontium)

## Code Structure

```python
baseplate = Component(...)
beam = baseplate.add(BeamPath(...))

beam.add(mirror())
beam.add(waveplate())
beam.add(beamsplitter_cube())
```

### Used by researchers at:

MIT • Stanford • [UC Berkeley](https://github.com/hybrid-lab/PyOpticL_Rubidium_System) • [UMass Amherst](https://websites.umass.edu/rniffenegger/pyopticl-code-to-cad-optical-layout/) • [UW Madison](https://github.com/hybrid-lab/PyOpticL_Rubidium_System) • UConn • NUS • Quera • [Harvard](https://github.com/hybrid-lab/PyOpticL_Rubidium_System) • [CalvinQ](https://github.com/hybrid-lab/PyOpticL_Rubidium_System)

## Readme contents:
 
* [Installation](#getting-setup)
* [Quick start](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Quick-Start)
* [Publication](#publication--high-fidelity-trapped-ion-qubit-operations-with-pyopticl)
* [Wiki](#wiki)
* [Baseplate Examples](#modular-baseplate-examples)
* [Subsystem Examples](#modular-subsystems-based-on-baseplates)
* [Apparatus Examples](#apparatus-based-on-modular-subsystems)
* [PyOpticL Community](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/tree/main#pyopticl-community)

---

## Publication – High-Fidelity Trapped-Ion Qubit Operations with PyOpticL

We use PyOpticL in our trapped ion laboratory at UMass Amherst to design modular optical systems for trapped-ion quantum computing. In this paper we demonstrate laser cooling, state detection, and >99% fidelity single-qubit gates in our trapped-ion system using PyOpticL baseplates and lasers.

### Read the paper

- **Quantum (2026):**  
  [Qubit operations using a modular optical system engineered with PyOpticL: a code-to-CAD optical layout tool](https://quantum-journal.org/papers/q-2026-06-15-2135/)

- **arXiv preprint:**  
  [arXiv:2501.14957](https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.14957)

### Citation

Please cite our paper if you use PyOpticL. Thank you!

> Myers, J., Caron, C., Helaly, N., Wei, Z., Oh, J., Gotobed, Z., Yabe, K., & Niffenegger, R. J.  
> *Qubit operations using a modular optical system engineered with PyOpticL: a code-to-CAD optical layout tool*.  
> Quantum **10**, 2135 (2026).

### [UMass Amherst Trapped Ion system built with PyOpticL](https://websites.umass.edu/rniffenegger/pyopticl-code-to-cad-optical-layout/):

### Modular abstraction: Optics → Baseplates → Subsystems → Apparatus:
<img width="700" alt="Abstraction" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/1b857ff6-a425-4261-a6f4-b00795de6f05" />

---

## Getting Setup

1. **Install FreeCAD, Python, and Git**

2. **Add PyOpticL as a custom addon repository in FreeCAD**  
	Under _Edit>Preferences>Addon Manager>Custom Repositories,_ click the plus icon and enter the following information: \
    _Repository URL:_ https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL.git \
    _Branch:_ main \
   Press _OK_ to save settings

4. **Install the PyOpticL library**
    In the Addon Manager _(Tools>Addon Manager),_ search for "PyOpticL" and click install. \
   _Note: if you get an error related to git, try disabling it - Edit>Preferences>Addon Manager>Disable git_
		
6. **Check everything is setup correctly**  
   You should now be able to re-launch FreeCAD and see the "PyOpticL" workbench in the workbench dropdown

7. **Check out the [wiki](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki) for guides on how to [get started](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Quick-Start) and examples**

###  PyOpticL v2.0 🚀 released! It is a complete rewrite of the PyOpticL library!
* [Migrate from 1.0 to 2.0](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/tree/main#pyopticl-v1v2-migration) 
* [v2.0-Highlights](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/v2.0-Highlights)
   * Including Improved Optics Simulation (Gaussian beam simulation)

### [Wiki](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki)
* [Installation Guide](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL#getting-setup)
* [Quick Start Guide](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Quick-Start)
* [Contributing to PyOpticL](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Contributing-to-PyOpticL)

### Modular baseplate examples:
* [Laser - Extended Cavity Diode Laser (with optical isolator)](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Module-‐-ECDL-with-Isolation-Baseplate)
* [Doublepass AOM Baseplate](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Module-‐-Doublepass-Baseplate)
* [Singlepass AOM Baseplate](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Module-‐-Singlepass-Baseplate)
* [Saturation Absorption Spectroscopy Baseplate](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Module-%E2%80%90-Saturation-Absorption-Spectroscopy-Baseplate)
* [Periscope](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Module-‐-Periscope)
* [CoverBox](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/CoverBox)

### Modular Subsystems based on baseplates:
* [Laser Cooling and Detection](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Subsystem-‐-Laser-Cooling-and-Detection)
* [Raman Zeeman qubit](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Subsystem-%E2%80%90-Raman)
* [Photoionization](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Subsystem-%E2%80%90-Photoionization-Laser)
* [State Preparation and Measurement](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Subsystem-%E2%80%90-SPAM)

### Apparatus based on modular subsystems:
* [Trapped Ions - Strontium](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Apparatus-%E2%80%90-Trapped-Ions-%E2%80%90-Strontium)
* [Trapped Ions - Calcium](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Apparatus-%E2%80%90-Trapped-Ions-%E2%80%90-Calcium)
* [Project Redstone](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/wiki/Apparatus-%E2%80%90-Quantum-Optics-%E2%80%90-Project-Redstone)

### Baseplate Examples and Designs
* [Designs](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/tree/main/Designs)
* [3D Models and Technical Drawings](https://github.com/UMassIonTrappers/PyOpticL/tree/v1-legacy/Design/Module/3DModel)

### Pre-made Layouts

Macro files for pre-made layouts can be found in the PyOpticL directory. This can be found in: \
```<FreeCAD User Data Directory>/Mod/PyOpticL/Design``` \
On windows this is: \
```%APPDATA%\FreeCAD\Mod\PyOpticL\Design```

## PyOpticL v1/v2 Migration

The main branch of this project has been updated to PyOpticL v2.0! **This is a breaking change for existing designs.** Unless you manually update PyOpticL within FreeCAD, existing installs should be unaffected.

If you need to install v1:
* Use _Branch:_ v1-legacy when following the install instructions

To update to v2.0:
* Backup all locally changed files (optomech.py, stls, etc.)
* Uninstall PyOpticL from addon manager (This will delete all PyOpticL source files, **backup your changes**)
* Restart FreeCAD
* Re-install PyOpticL
___

## PyOpticL Community:

### Join the discussion on our Discord server: https://discord.gg/vV4NP6rXmp

### Experimental Labs using PyOpticL:
 * MIT QUANTA LAB - Prof. Isaac Chuang (Ba⁺ & Sr⁺)
 * MIT Quantum Photonics & AI Group - Prof. Dirk Englund (Rb)
 * [UC Berkeley - Prof. Aziza Suleymanzade (Rb)](https://github.com/hybrid-lab/PyOpticL_Rubidium_System)
 * [UW Madison - Prof. Josiah Sinclair (Rb)](https://github.com/hybrid-lab/PyOpticL_Rubidium_System/tree/sinclairlab-pyopticl)
 * UCONN - Prof. Simone Colombo (Rb, Sr)
 * Montana State University - Prof. Matt Jaffe (Rb)
 * National University of Singapore - Prof. Dzmitry Matsukevich (Yb⁺)
 * Stanford - Prof. Jonathan Simon (Rb)
 * Durham University Quantum Light and Matter - Tobias Franzen (Yb), Dani Pizzey (Rb)
 * Quera (Rb)
 * Harvard University (Rb)
 * Calvin Q (Rb)

> We thank Ike and the MIT QUANTA LAB for sharing their C4PO ('CAD for Precision Optics') based on OpenSCAD which inspired this library.

PyOpticL

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