In this course, we will discuss three different (full-wave) numerical methods popularly used in computer simulations of classical electromagnetic phenomena: (i) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD), (ii) finite element method (FEM), and (iii) method of moment (MOM).
After this class, student should be able to understand the core idea and control parameters of each algorithm, and develop in-house codes for few simple cases using either Python or MATLAB.
Performinig a term project with presentation and giving a literature review seminar, student can enhance the problem-based solving skill and critical thinking ability.

EECE261/EECE361/DISU361

- Assignments (20%): It will be assigned (bi-)weekly. Assigned Wednesday and collected on the following Wednesday.
- Term project and presentation (50%): Using one of FDTD, FEM, and MoM methods, student will be designing an algorithm and developing an in-house code manually to model an electromagnetic phenomenon (e.g., antennas, plane-wave scattering problems, modeling plasmonic structures, or frequency selective surfaces). The topic can be chosen after consulting with an instructor. Student will be giving a 12min presentation on results of the term project at the end of the semester.
- Literature review seminar (30%): Students will do a literature review on where and how specifically computational electromagnetics can/could be used in their research area, and deliver a 12min seminar on the literature survey.

1. A. Taflove and S. Hagness, Computational electrodynamics, 3rd ed. Norwood, MA: Artech House, 2005.
2. J. M. Jin, The Finite Element Method in Electromagnetics, 2nd ed. Nashville, TN: John Wiley & Sons, 2002.
3. W. C. Gibson, The Method of Moments in Electromagnetics, 2nd ed. Chapman and Hall/CRC, 2014.
4. Y. Saad, Iterative methods for sparse linear systems. London, OH: PWS, 1996.
5. C. C. Gerry and P. L. Kinght, Introductory Quantum Optics. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2004.

1. Comprehensive review on classical electrodynamics and Maxwell's equations
2. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD)
- Review of finite-difference approximations: consistency, stability, and convergence.
- Truncation, staircase error, and numerical dispersion.
- Courant stability criterion and stability analysis.
- Absorbing boundary conditions: the perfectly matched layer (PML).
3. Finite element method
- Basis function and generating unstructured meshes.
- Ritz and Galerkin method.
- Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions.
- Iterative methods for sparse linear systems and preconditioning.
4. Method of moment
- Integral equations.
- Scattering and radiation by thin wires.
5. Quantum optics (or electromagnetics) and its numerical modeling
- Brief review on quantum optics and the second quantization with normal modes.
- Numerical mode decomposition for inhomogeneous dielectrics.

(100% in-person lecture with zoom streaming)
Lectures
Assignments
Student presentations

- Learning the fundamentals of electromagnetic theory
- Learning the fundamental concepts and theories of FDTD, FEM, and MOM numerical methods along with specialized coding techniques
- Cultivating the ability to apply these in modeling real electromagnetic phenomena