Year 2004
May 1
The 6.1 beta-version of PCGrate-S Complete Demo is available for downloading. Makes due allowance for any (including polygonal) profile types and has an additional Console solver for XML-format files and a GUIXML converter.
March 10
The report “Modified integral method for calculation of the multilayer X-ray grating efficiency” is presented at the PXRMS-04 conference.
March 2
The alpha versions of new programs from the latest PCGrate-S(X) v.6.1 series with XML Console and GUI solvers are available for downloading.
January
The paper “Rigorous efficiency calculations for blazed gratings working in in- and off-plane mountings in the 5-50-Å wavelengths range” devoted to the Constellation-X project is published in SPIE. The full text is available for downloading.
January 5
The prices of all programs from the PCGrate 2000 series are reduced by $500.
Year 2003
November 6
A new example of the Efficiency certificate of the Mo4Ru6/Be multilayer soft X-ray-EUV grating is added to Efficiency Testing Laboratory pages. Various files in the *.xls, *.grt, and *.pcg (PCGrate-S(X) series) formats are available for downloading and can be viewed by PCGrate-S Demo v.6.0.
August 6
The report “Rigorous efficiency calculations for blazed gratings working in in- and off-plane mountings in the 5-50-Å wavelengths range,” is presented at the SPIE’s 48th Annual Meeting.
July 17
We issue the PCGrate-S(X) software in the 6.0 version release.
April 22
An agreement for sales and distribution of the PCGrates software is signed between International Intellectual Group, Inc. and Vanguard Information Co., Ltd.
PRESS RELEASE
International Intellectual Group, Inc. (I.I.G., Inc.) is known as a world leader in modeling the diffraction gratings efficiency for spectroscopy, astronomy, telecommunications, photolithography, and nanotechnology. Vanguard Information Co., Ltd. is known as an aggressive promoter and seller of EDA tools (e.g. Telecommunications and Photonics) in Taiwan.
I.I.G., Inc. has signed an exclusive agreement with the famous optical and physical software distributor Vanguard Information Co., Ltd., for the promotion and sale of the PCCrate series in Taiwan. I.I.G., Inc. grants to Vanguard Information Co., Ltd. “the right to market and sell the PROGRAMS in Taiwan on an exclusive basis for a period of 1 (one) year from the effective date with the possibility to extend, for a period of time to be mutually agreed”.
This is the third distribution agreement in the history of PCGrate sales. We are planning further penetration of the Pacific Rim market for science and technology, in cooperation with Vanguard Information Co., Ltd.
Year 2002
December
The key paper “Numerical modeling of coated gratings in sensitive cases” dealing with the mathematics of new PCGrate-S(X) codes is published in OSA.
October 1
Separate one-year technical support is included in the list of our services.
July 3
We issue the PCGrate-S(X) software in the beta version.
July 3
Major price reductions on all programs from the PCGrate 2000 series.
July 3
We discontinue sales of the PCGrate 16-bit software. The full package of working programs is available for free downloading.
June 3
At the DOMO 2002 Topical meeting we present the report “Numerical modeling of nonconformal gratings by the modified integral method”, which includes the essentials of new PCGrate-S(X) software.
April 2
We announce a significant price reduction in the range 20-50%, which is applied to our new PCGrate-S(X) series if the client buys any of our PCGrate 2000 programs.
April 2
We launch new PCGrate-S(X) software in the alpha version, which incorporates all-new capabilities for efficiency modeling of scientific and commercial gratings. With the PCGrate-S(X) series software one can simulate the effect of random roughness, model gratings covered with very thin or very thick layers of arbitrary shape, calculate accurately aspherical gratings, and work with conical mountings and non-planar incident waves as well as with the general polarization state.
March 4
The report “Multilayer normal-incidence gratings with Sc/Si, MoRu/Be, and Mo/Y coatings operating at 40 nm, 11 nm, and 9 nm wavelengths: experimental efficiencies and computational modeling” is presented at the PXRMS-02 conference.
March 1
A fundamental paper “Efficiencies of master, replica, and multilayer gratings for the soft x-ray – EUV range: modeling based on the modified integral method and comparisons to measurements” is published in OSA.
February 1
We allow an additional discount of 10-17% on all the programs from PCGrate 2000 series.
February 1
We announce the newest PCGrate-S(X) v.6.0 software with many new features for the efficiency modeling of real gratings which are in great demand. The draft software was made available online in the first quarter of the year 2002.
Year 2001
November 26
We announce new huge 50% discounts on both the PCGrate 16-bit software and all our services for a period of two months, from December, 2001 to January, 2002.
November 26
The full texts of recently published papers devoted to the modified integral method and comparison between the data obtained by PCGrate 2000*, measurements, and various codes are available for downloading from the reference page.
August 2
A detailed comparison between the results obtained by the PCGrate 2000MLT and by different commercial programs and scientific codes, as well as the efficiency modeling and measurements of real gratings are presented in the talk “Grating groove metrology and efficiency predictions from the soft x-ray to the far infrared” submitted at the SPIE 46th Annual Meeting.
August 1
The report “Modified integral method applied to diffraction of point source field on relief grating” is presented at the SPIE 46th Annual Meeting.
June 11
During two weeks, from June 11 to June 25, discounts of up to 40% are granted on all PCGrate 2000 programs.
May 21
The full texts of two recently published papers devoted to the integral method, echelles, and PCGrate 2000* calculations are available for downloading from the reference page.
April
Two detailed reports which describe merits and advantages of the modified integral method and its application to the calculation of real electromagnetic properties of echelles are presented at the SPIE.
February 5
We issue a new PCGrate 2000X program that is several times faster and has improved convergence and highly extended parameters. We discontinue sales of PCGrate 2000M.
February 5
The prices of all the types of software from PCGrate 2000 series are cut down, on the average, by 15%. We allow an additional discount of 10% for all users of the earlier PC Grate 16-bit series (except PC Grate 1, 1E) for upgrading to any programs from the PCGrate 2000 series.
January 25
The two following types of PCGrate 2000MLT Demo are now available for downloading: one with TE polarization and with the accuracy parameter up to 200 points and the other with the TE, TM, and NON polarization and with the accuracy parameter up to 100 points.
Year 2000
December 15
We announce Christmas and New Year discounts for all PCGrate 2000*.
October 27
The price for the latest (5.05) version of PCGrate 2000MLT is lowered by $1,500 during November, 2000.
October 27
The full version of PCGrate 1E is available for free downloading. The peak accuracy parameter for the updated PCGrate 2000MLT Demo is increased up to 200 points.
September 18
We begin to take orders to issue Efficiency certificates for all kinds of diffraction gratings. Samples of the first certificates in the *.xls and *.grm formats are available for downloading.
September 18
Together with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, NRL Space Science Division, and Richardson Gratings of Spectra-Physics we advertise the issue of online Efficiency Testing Laboratory which is the world’s first comprehensive demonstration of the results of grating efficiency tests obtained using modern technologies.
PRESS RELEASE
Measuring diffraction efficiency and scattered light for some gratings, especially for some new samples, is a very important and challenging task. Gratings efficiencies can be accurately calculated for a broad range of wavelengths and other parameters based on the measured groove profile and tabulated refractive indices data. However, real grating parameters are usually measured in such a manner that they are not to be intended for further precise modeling. On the other hand, the existing exact theories and appropriate software use some ideal models for parameters without consideration of measuring inaccuracy and are sophisticated, as a rule.
The NASA GSFC Optics Branch has a Diffraction Grating Evaluation Facility (DGEF). This is a world-class, advanced resource that was developed at Goddard to evaluate optical components such as diffraction gratings, mirrors, and filters as well as detection systems used in space instrumentation. The NRL Space Science Division UV and X-Ray Spectroscopy Section provides an ultrahigh vacuum facility for the development and calibration of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and x-ray optics and instrumentation using monochromatic synchrotron radiation. The Richardson Gratings is a world leader in the design and manufacture of ruled and holographic diffraction gratings for the industrial, academic and scientific markets.
International Intellectual Group, Inc. (I.I.G., Inc.) has 15 years of experience in developing exact and approximate methods of calculating gratings efficiency and 10 years of experience in creating and selling various commercial programs based on exact theories. I.I.G. members have considerable experience in gratings manufacture and both measuring and comparing theory with experiments from soft X-ray to far IR. Moreover, today we are using the most general integral theory, which is able to deal with practically any kind of grating, including some limiting cases, where it is the only available method.
The main goal in creating the Efficiency Testing Laboratory is to clear up a gap between theory and experiment for all types of gratings, as well as to give researchers better tools and methods for increasing performance of the next generation of gratings and instruments. The objectives of the mutual collaboration should be:
– To achieve coincidence of measured and accurately calculated curves for various gratings and wavelengths.
– To work out recommendations for using real gratings parameters and methods of precisely modeling their diffraction properties.
– To issue gratings efficiency certificates for some important cases comprising the computed and measured efficiency curves.
As a result of our investigation, the Researcher would know that the theoretical energy limit is attained for a real grating in the whole working range. The results of calculations, along with experimental data and methods and programs used covering efficiency certified gratings, should be properly advertised in scientific magazines and the internet.
August 10
We issue a new 5.05 version of the PCGrate 2000MLT Demo type program which incorporates TM and NON polarization modes and a higher maximal order (up to 40) for echelles efficiency modeling.
June 19
We announce the issue of the new PCGrate 2000MLT program, version 5.05 which makes it possible to calculate multi-layer transmission gratings efficiency. Other types of PCGrate 2000* software are updated.
June19
Prices for all PCGrates are reduced, on average, by 35%. We discontinue support the programs from PCGrate 2000 series for bulk gratings modeling.
June 18
A detailed comparison between the results obtained by PCGrate 2000 and by both different commercial programs and scientific codes together with data from efficiency measurements are presented at the DOMO 2000 topical meeting in the talk “Diffraction grating efficiency calculations based on real groove profiles”.
April 28
We announce a 20% discount on all PCGrates during May, 2000.
April 06
The PCGrate 2000 series, version 5.03 is updated.
March 18
We issue the PCGrate 2000 series, version 5.03 with many refinements and additions.
January 11
New PCGrate 2000 Demo, version 5.02 is available for downloading.
Year 1999
December 31
Our site “www.pcgrate.com” goes on-line.