4.5    Mesh Snapping

Mesh snapping capability allows forcing the mesh through the introduction of mesh snapping plane (special plane). It is like indicating a plane to which the FDFD mesh must adjust. This chapter presents information regarding:

• Mesh snapping planes types

• Manual snapping

• Automatic snapping

Technically mesh snapping planes work like a port without executing the input/output functions. Note that in the case of mesh snapping planes the size of the rectangle introduced to mark the plane is of no importance. It is displayed only to recall to the user where the plane is. The user should make it of the size least disturbing to the images of the structure or even choose the white colour to make it invisible.

The user should aware that if two mesh snapping planes are accidentally introduced too close to each other, they force a small FDTD cell, which leads to a small FDTD time step, and hence prolongs the simulation time. To warn the user about the existence of such closely situated special planes, they will be marked in 2D windows of QW-Editor by red points at the external contour of the grid. If it is acceptable in a given scenario, it is recommended to remove one of the mesh snapping planes.

The tutorial how to introduce the mesh snapping plane into the simulation scenario can be found in Mesh Snapping Planes and Symmetry Planes.