This video is taken from the varFDTD Learning Track on Ansys Innovation Courses.
Transcript
The 2.5D variational FDTD, also called the varFDTD solver works by collapsing a 3D geometry
to 2D, and runs a 2D FDTD simulation which is much faster and uses less memory compared
to a 3D FDTD simulation.
The method used to reduce the 3D problem to an effective 2D problem will be discussed
in the Solver Physics section of the course.
Because the solver is based on the FDTD method, and many of the settings and workflow for
using the solver are shared with FDTD Solutions, we will not be covering the shared features
in detail in this course, and the FDTD 100 course is a recommended prerequisite.
As mentioned, the advantage of the varFDTD solver is that it allows us to simulate 3D
devices using a 2D FDTD simulation.
This is useful for simulating relatively large devices where the dimensions of the device
are hundreds of times larger than the wavelength, and for prototyping designs where you need
to run many simulations to sweep the parameters of the design since this will greatly speed
up the process compared to running 3D FDTD simulations.
A typical design process is to start by using the varFDTD solver for initial prototyping
to determine a range of design parameters that optimizes the performance of the device,
followed by verification of the results and extracting high accuracy results using 3D
FDTD or EME simulations.
Assumptions used by the varFDTD solver limit the type of devices that can be simulated.
The varFDTD solver is ideal for simulating devices where light travels within one plane
of the device, where there is no vertical coupling between different slab modes, or
polarization conversion from TE polarization to TM or vice versa.
Photonic integrated circuit components which are based on slab waveguide structures are
an example where the varFDTD solver works well since they often support two vertical
modes with different polarizations.
In the following unit, we will go over some examples to show when the varFDTD solver can
and cannot be used.
If you are unsure whether your device meets the assumptions of the method, you can test
a simple version of the device and verify the results by comparing with the results
from a 3D FDTD simulation, or EME simulation which does not require the above assumptions.