The is more than a reference—it is a masterclass in computational photonics. While it requires patience (it is not bedtime reading), every question from "What does the pml profile do?" to "How do I calculate a band diagram?" has an answer within its pages.
Designing a simulation in Ansys Lumerical FDTD typically follows a structured workflow: FDTD product reference manual - Ansys Optics
The most common way to add custom functionality is through the Lumerical Scripting Language Custom Analysis
Calculate and return specific quantities (e.g., absorption per unit volume or far-field projections) every time the simulation runs. Ansys Optics 3. Custom Material Models
For step-by-step guidance on implementing these features, refer to: FDTD product reference manual - Ansys Optics