Mode‐matching Methods

Abstract

The article presents an overview of the state of the art of mode‐matching (MM) methods applied for the rigorous, fast CAD and optimization of waveguide components and describes some recent advances. The great technical importance of the MM technique is its extremely high computational efficiency, achieving complete full‐wave analyses of typical waveguide components orders of magnitude faster than electromagnetics (EM)‐based methods applying space discretization techniques. Hence, the MM technique allows advantageously the direct EM‐based optimization of waveguides components toward given specifications within shortest response times. Hybrid combinations with other EM methods, such as the finite‐element (FE) method and method of moments (MoM), provide extended flexibility. Typical application examples will illustrate the versatility of the MM methods.