Are you using the right tools in computational electromagnetics?

• Main Author: Krishnaswamy Sankaran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2019-10-01
• Series: Engineering Reports
• Subjects: CEM; computational electromagnetics; modeling; rapid virtual prototyping; simulation
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/eng2.12041

Have you ever wondered why we use certain computational electromagnetics methods and how we decide on the choice of tools for modeling problems in electromagnetics? Though true for any field, particularly in electrodynamics, there is a gap between current practitioners' knowledge and knowhow about different tools and the state‐of‐the‐art developments. Rapid advancements made in material science and (nano)‐fabrication techniques are demanding new tools with multiscale and multiphysics capabilities. In this article, we cover the recent developments and highlight capabilities and limitations of different electromagnetic modeling tools. One has to answer a series of questions about modeling constraints and objectives before picking the appropriate tool. We aim to clarify some of the misconceptions, discuss limits and capabilities of some of the popular electromagnetic modeling tools, and provide a few practical tips, so that applied physicists and engineers can make informed decisions while choosing appropriate tools for their applications.