Build, import, analyze, tolerate, and optimize optical systems using the Optical Design and Simulation Library.
SkillScore100Maintained
Automatic
◆Coding pack
Last verified 8/16/2026
What it changes
Passed 24 of 24 test cases with the skill, and 6 of 24 without it.
Without skill24%
With skill100%
Checks it passed that the model alone missed
The system is loaded using zmximport.
The trailing gap is updated using changeGap.
Catalog glass lookup uses pickGlass("N-BK7").
and 26 more in the full report
19 fixed6 passed either way0 still failing0 broke
Pass-rate lift
+76 pp
Tokens
+93%
Agent turns
0%
Response time
-58%
Model gemini-3.6-flashMeasured 8/16/2026v125 of 25 cases passed with skill · 24 comparable
Tokens, turns and time describe resource use, not a dollar price.
See it in action
One of 18 test cases the skill fixed. Same model, same prompt, with and without the skill.
1 of 18
Prompt
A user is completely new to MATLAB's optical system modeling tools and wants to discover available top-level functions and class commands from the command prompt. What basic command should they run first?
What was checked, without and with the skill
Checked
Without skill
With skill
The response recommends executing help optics.
Missed
Passed
case-23 · gemini-3.6-flash · 8/16/2026 · answers are capped and redacted
What's inside
The instructions your model reads when the skill loads.
SKILL.md421 lines5 files
Optical Design and Simulation Library
Use this skill when the user is working with the Optical Design and Simulation Library to build, import, analyze, tolerate, or optimize optical systems in MATLAB.
This library may also be referred to as:
Optical Design and Simulation Library
Optics Support Package
Optics Add-On
Optics Library
Optics Toolbox
Use Optical Design and Simulation Library as the canonical name in responses unless the user explicitly uses a different name.
When to Use
Use this skill when the user asks about:
Optical Systems
Ray Tracing
Geometric Optics based analysis like lens distortion, spot diagrams, chromatic aberration, astigmatism and ray fans
Paraxial Optics
Optical Coatings
Polarization or EM analysis (computing Fresnel Coefficients)
Glass Materials and Glass Catalogs
Zemax import
Optical Tolerancing
Optical System Design and Optimization
Dynamic optical systems in Simulink (see references/dynamic-optical-systems-simulink.md)
When NOT to Use
Do not use this skill when:
The user is working with physical optics or wave optics (diffraction, interference, coherence)
The user is working with fiber optics or photonics
The user needs image processing or computer vision (use Image Processing Toolbox instead)
The task is purely about Simulink modeling without optical system involvement
First Steps
When helping a user who is new to the library, start with discovery:
Model, simulate, and optimize Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) systems — serial and parallel links — using MATLAB SerDes Toolbox. Design NRZ and PAM-N links (PAM3 through PAM16) — explore equalization architectures (FFE, CTLE, DFE), sweep or optimize parameters with genetic algorithms, and characterize channels from loss models, S-parameter files, or crosstalk scenarios. Process captured waveforms through equalization chains, build eye diagrams, and decompose jitter. Deliver IBIS-AMI models for