> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://simplemetalens.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://simplemetalens.gitbook.io/docs/smd-pro/smd-pro-vs-smd-tool.md).

# SMD PRO vs SMD Tool

SMD PRO is faster and provides more, advanced features. The table below compares major feature differences between SMD PRO and SMD Tool.

{% columns %}
{% column width="50%" %} <img src="/files/HfEj1T3mJzvYR30Lj9Fx" alt="" data-size="line"> [**SMD PRO**](/docs/smd-pro.md)

* Up to 20x faster metalens building than Tool <sup>1</sup>
* Up to 3.6x faster simulation than Tool <sup>2</sup>
* Higher memory efficiency
* Simulatable lens size: unlimited (memory-dependent)
* Imaging simulation along tangential & sagittal axes
* Supports 11+ unit cell shapes (including all in Tool & polygon)
* Unit cell data provided across visible and near-IR wavelengths
* Advanced GDS modifications
* Modern UI
  {% endcolumn %}

{% column width="50%" %} <img src="/files/gdKh8x5wAjm4DGRyxosB" alt="" data-size="line"> [**SMD Tool**](/docs/smd-tool.md)

* [13000x faster than FDTD](#user-content-fn-1)[^1]
* Simulatable lens size: < 1 million unit cells
* Imaging simulation along tangential axis only
* Supports 3 unit cell shapes (circle, square, rectangle)
* No unit cell data provided
* No GDS modification
* Basic UI
  {% endcolumn %}
  {% endcolumns %}

{% hint style="success" %}
1: Time measured for a metalens with 1 million unit cells.

2: Tested was a lens focusing at optical axis at normal incidence. Simulation ranges were adjusted to be identical between PRO and Tool.

1, 2: All tests were performed on Intel Core i7 1.7 GHz CPU and 15.7 GB memory.
{% endhint %}

[^1]: **Lens for Simulation Test**

    * A free standing metalens focusing in air.
    * Numerical aperture 0.707
    * 100 unit cells.

    **FDTD Simulation Settings**

    * Accuracy: mid
    * Mesh size: ⅕ of a wavelength

    **SMD Tool Simulation Settings**

    * Wave samples per unitcell: 4 (corresponds to medium accuracy)
    * m: 5 (corresponds to ⅕ of a wavelength)

    Test was performed to simulate the intensity on the focal plane. Simulated areas on the focal plane were the same in both simulations. All tests were done on Intel Core i7 1.7 GHz CPU and 15.7 GB memory.


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