Physical Modelling and Simulation

Objective

Basic knowledge of the fundamental equations and effects of electromagnetics, mechanics, and thermodynamics. Knowledge of the main concepts of numerical methods for physical modelling and simulation. Ability 1) to select appropriate software, 2) to apply it for solving given problems, 3) to validate the results, 4) to interactively improve the models until sufficiently accurate results are obtained.

Content

Since the fabrication and characterization of micro- and nanostructures is difficult, expensive, and time-consuming, numerical modelling drastically reduced the design process. Although many commercial software packages are available, it is important to know the drawbacks and difficulties of the numerical methods behind them and to be able to validate the results obtained with such packages.
First, an introduction to the fundamental equations and effects of electromagnetics, mechanics, and thermodynamics is given. This is important for understanding the problems to be analyzed and for validating results obtained from software packages. After this, the main concepts of numerical methods and of the most widely used codes for physical modelling are outlined and compared, which is essential for the adequate selection of software for solving given problems. After this, prominent commercial software packages are applied to various types of problems, ranging from electrodynamics to multiphysics. For becoming able to select appropriate software and to validate the results obtained, different commercial software packages will be used and compared during the exercises in form of small projects.

Form

4 hours lecture and exercises, 5 credits

Lecturers

Ch. Hafner, J. Smajic

Further