Topology optimization of metallic devices for microwave applications : TOPOLOGY OPTIMIZATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

In electromagnetic optimization problems of metallic radio-frequency devices, such as antennas and resonators for wireless energy transfer, the volumetric distribution of good conductors, e.g. copper, has been known to cause numerical bottlenecks. In finite element analysis the limiting factor is the skin depth, which calls for highly refined meshing in order to capture the physics.

The skin depth problem has therefore prohibited the application of topology optimization to this class of problem. We present a design parameterization that remedies these numerical issues, by the interpolation of Maxwell's equations and a fictitious element impedance condition. The validity of the proposed design parameterization is confirmed by several numerical examples.