Workflow Summary — Lesson 5

Setup considerations for the nanohole array example:

• Use periodic boundaries to simulate an infinitely periodic array
• Symmetry can also be used — see the FDTD solver region section of the course for symmetry rules
• Use the mesh override region to get accurate results for the curved surface of the hole where fields change rapidly due to plasmonic effects
• Keep the PML half a wavelength from structure to avoid evanescent fields from coupling to PML
• The substrate extends to the PML boundary to simulate a semi-infinite substrate
• A steep angle PML profile is recommended for periodic devices where light may be diffracted at steep angles from normal
• Use an increased number of frequency points for R and T monitors to get a higher resolution reflection and transmission spectrum
• Check material fits and memory requirements before running the simulation

These details are just for the particular example of the nanohole array that was demonstrated in this section. General setup rules are covered in later sections of the course.