A method for generating a synthetic spectrum within Zemax

A method using non-sequential Zemax to produce a pixelated synthetic spectrum is described. This simulation was developed for the Keck Planet Finder (KPF) instrument, and will prove useful for engineering performance analyses (stability, stray light, order cross-talk, distortion, etc.). It has also provided a set of synthetic spectra to be used during the development of the data pipeline. Various aspects concerning the construction of the spectrum are described, including: converting a model from sequential to non-sequential Zemax, the creation of Zemax coating files for echelle blaze functions, and the generation of spectrum source files (solar, thorium-argon, incandescent, Fabry-Perot etalon and laser frequency comb).