Python Bindings for the Open Source Electromagnetic Simulator Meep

• Published in: Computing in science & engineering Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 53 - 65
• Main Authors: Lambert, Emmanuel, Fiers, Martin, Nizamov, Shavkat, Tassaert, Martijn, Johnson, Steven G., Bienstman, Peter, Bogaerts, Wim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.05.2011; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Binding; C++ interfacing; Communities; Computational modeling; computational science; Computer architecture; Computer simulation; Ecosystems; Finite difference method; Finite difference methods (FDTD); Freeware; Large-scale systems; MEEP; Meep FDTD simulator; object-oriented languages; Open source software; Packages; Packaging; Parallel processing; Photonics; Python; scientific computing; software engineering; Source code; SWIG
• ISSN: 1521-9615; 1558-366X; 1558-366X
• DOI: 10.1109/MCSE.2010.98

This paper describes Meep, a popular free implementation of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for simulating electromagnetism. In particular, we focus on aspects of implementing a full-featured FDTD package that go beyond standard textbook descriptions of the algorithm, or ways in which Meep differs from typical FDTD implementations. These include pervasive interpolation and accurate modeling of subpixel features, advanced signal processing, support for nonlinear materials via Padé approximants, and flexible scripting capabilities.