The THz region is a burgeoning field of research with applications in spectroscopy, integrated circuit fabrication, bio-medicine, and communications. Until recently, the THz region was largely unexplored, mainly due to the technical difficulties involved in making efficient and compact sources and detectors. As these challenges are addressed, the focus of research has shifted to practical applications, such as sensing and imaging. The focus of this thesis is to investigate the characterization of parallel plate waveguide multimode propagation and periodically notched resonant structures for use in sensing and material parameter extraction applications. Broadband and narrowband measurements are presented and analyzed. Measurements are compared to finite difference time domain simulations and analytic solutions that use a Fourier transform mode-matching technique. Agreement is observed between simulation and measurement of radiation patterns. Weighted estimates of individual mode analytic solutions produce equivalent radiation patterns, which allows insight into the energy coupled into each respective mode. Results show that higher order modes contribute both a greater conductive attenuation and higher coupling loss. Agreement is also observed between measurements and simulated single and periodically notched resonant structures. Results demonstrate shifting of the resonant peak with respect to changes in plate separation for the periodically notched structure. For the single notch resonator, simulations indicate the resonant peak is dependent on notch depth until the depth-to-width ratio is greater than two. This work demonstrates that multimode propagation can be identified and the amount of energy coupled into each mode may be estimated using radiation patterns. Experiments using quasi-optical time domain spectroscopic and continuous wave vector network analyzer systems in the THz region have been demonstrated. Finite difference time domain simulations have validated measurements on both systems. The results presented will advance the field of THz research by aiding in the design and analysis of sensing and material parameter extraction systems

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With the growth of wireless communications, comes the need for engineers knowledgeable in 3D electromagnetic (EM) simulation of high-frequency circuits. To give electrical engineering students a better understanding of the behavior of electromagnetic fields, experiments including the use of 3D EM simulation software were proposed. Most students get lost in differential equations, curls, and divergences; this thesis aims to remedy that by exposing them to 3D EM simulation, which may motivate them toward further study in electromagnetics. Also, experience using EMPro is very beneficial for future RF/microwave/antenna engineers, as use of 3D EM simulation is becoming a requirement for this field. 3D EM simulators solve problems where using classical analysis techniques is impractical. Classical EM solutions to simple objects such as boxes, cylinders, and spheres, are widely known; but when the object is more complex, numerical approaches are preferred for their speed. Currently, Cal Poly does not use 3D electromagnetic simulation in any of its courses. Targeted relevant courses include EE 335/375: EM Fields & Transmission Lines, EE 402: EM Waves, EE 405/445: High-Frequency Amplifier Design, EE 425/455: Analog Filter Design, EE 502: Microwave Engineering, and EE 533: Antennas. As a starting point, EE 425/455 was targeted. In choosing which filters to investigate, simplicity and cost were the most important factors. For simplicity, transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode filters were chosen; also, using a trough design for these filters would allow for simple construction and access. Also, a circular waveguide filter was chosen as an alternative to the TEM filters, as the modes are either transverse electric or transverse magnetic. To lower costs, printed circuit board was used to construct the filters, along with brass tubing, semi-rigid coaxial cable, and copper plumbing caps. From these guidelines, three electronic bandpass filter experiments were investigated: a 1 GHz half-wave coaxial resonator filter, a 2 GHz copper end cap filter, and a tunable 1 GHz quarter-wave coaxial resonator filter. Electric and magnetic field coupling was used to excite the filters. They were then simulated using finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations in Agilent EMPro. From the simulations, tradeoffs between insertion loss and bandwidth were observed. After, the filters were built and measured using a network analyzer. The quarter-wave filter was incorporated in Cal Poly’s EE 455 course during spring 2012. Students completed an EMPro tutorial, simulated the filters, and measured them using network analyzers. Student feedback was mixed, and modifications were made for future implementations.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo a modelagem numérica das fibras microestruturadas e a proposição de dispositivos inovadores com base nos modelos numéricos construídos. Primeiramente, são implementados dois formalismos distintos: o FDTD (do inglês Finite Diference Time Domain) para a geração dos diagramas de bandas dos cristais fotônicos e o SOR (do inglês Successive Over Relaxation) para a análise modal das fibras. A partir destes modelos, são propostas três aplicações distintas que utilizam as propriedades inovadoras das fibras microestruturadas, a saber: compensador de dispersão a fibra com capacidade de compensar um enlace óptico com cerca de vinte vezes seu comprimento, amplificador Raman com alto ganho óptico e isolador óptico a fibra microestruturada. / The goal of this work is the numerical modeling of microstructured optical fibers and the proposition of novel applications using the model developed. First, two distinct formalisms are implemented, the Finite Difference Time Domain Method (FDTD) to generate the photonic crystal band diagrams and the Successive Over Relaxation method (SOR) to carry out modal analysis on the microstructured optical fibers. By means of these models, three applications are investigated: high performance dispersion compensation fiber, high gain Raman amplifier and microstructured optical fiber isolator.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo a modelagem numérica das fibras microestruturadas e a proposição de dispositivos inovadores com base nos modelos numéricos construídos. Primeiramente, são implementados dois formalismos distintos: o FDTD (do inglês Finite Diference Time Domain) para a geração dos diagramas de bandas dos cristais fotônicos e o SOR (do inglês Successive Over Relaxation) para a análise modal das fibras. A partir destes modelos, são propostas três aplicações distintas que utilizam as propriedades inovadoras das fibras microestruturadas, a saber: compensador de dispersão a fibra com capacidade de compensar um enlace óptico com cerca de vinte vezes seu comprimento, amplificador Raman com alto ganho óptico e isolador óptico a fibra microestruturada. / The goal of this work is the numerical modeling of microstructured optical fibers and the proposition of novel applications using the model developed. First, two distinct formalisms are implemented, the Finite Difference Time Domain Method (FDTD) to generate the photonic crystal band diagrams and the Successive Over Relaxation method (SOR) to carry out modal analysis on the microstructured optical fibers. By means of these models, three applications are investigated: high performance dispersion compensation fiber, high gain Raman amplifier and microstructured optical fiber isolator.

L'évaluation précise de la surface équivalente radar (SER) large bande de cibles complexes et de grande dimension est réalisée par des méthodes numériques rigoureuses. Parmi celles-ci, la méthode des différences finies dans le domaine temporel (FDTD) est bien adaptée pour effectuer ce calcul de SER sur une large bande de fréquence et obtenir une signature temporelle de la cible. Le schéma de Yee, schéma FDTD historique pour la simulation de propagation d'ondes électromagnétiques en régime transitoire, souffre de deux points faibles cruciaux: la dispersion numérique imposant une finesse de maillage; et l'approximation de la géométrie curviligne par un maillage cartésien avec des marches d'escalier détériorant la qualité des résultats. Les schémas FDTD d'ordre supérieur en espace ont été investigués pour la réduction de l'effet de la dispersion numérique. Dans cette thèse, le schéma Conservative Modified FDTD(2,4) a été développé dont les performances, en précision et en ressources, sont très intéressantes pour le calcul de SER. Liés au problème de l'approximation de la géométrie curviligne, le traitement des bords de plaques métalliques reste une difficulté non résolue pour les schémas FDTD(2,4) à stencil élargi. Les techniques conformes sont des approches développées pour le schéma de Yee, lesquelles ont été étudiées pour les schémas FDTD(2,4) afin de prendre en compte correctement la géométrie curviligne. Nous proposons une nouvelle approche reposant sur le modèle des fils obliques pour la modélisation des éléments surfaciques métalliques. Des applications SER de cibles montrent que celle-ci est prometteuse. / Rigorous numerical methods are used to compute an accurate wideband radar cross section (RCS) evaluation of large complex targets. Among these, finite differences in time domain method is appropriated for the wideband characteristic and also to obtain a transient responses of the target. The Yee scheme, known historically as an FDTD scheme for Maxwell equations, is hindered by two crucial weak points: numerical dispersion which imposes a high mesh resolution; and staircase approximation of curve geometry which deteriorates results quality. High-order space differential operator for FDTD schemes have been investigated to limit numerical dispersion errors. In this thesis, the Conservative Modified FDTD(2,4) scheme has been developed and its performance has shown very accurate results with reasonable workload for RCS computation. Relating to curve geometry modeling problem, metallic edges modeling is still an unsolved problem for FDTD(2,4) schemes with enlarged stencil. Conformal techniques have been developed for the Yee scheme and has been studied for FDTD(2,4) to accurately model curve geometry. We propose a new approach based on oblique thin wire model to model metallic surfaces. RCS computations of several targets have shown that this method is promising.

This thesis deals with the problem of practical application of FDTD technique for simulation of image formation in coherence controlled holographic microscope. Various ways for obtaining scattering matrices are explored in detail and the optimal technique based on a rigorous calculation of the far field is proposed. The scattering matrix, containing information about the observed sample, is subsequently used in analytic calculation of holographic signal; two levels of approximation of pupil function are also evaluated. The results are compared with a traditional approach based on Rytov approximation resulting in specification of the parameter domain where the approximation is applicable. Based on the simulations of the microscope, the dependence of axial resolution on apertures of the objective and the condenser and sensitivity of the signal to changes of refractive index of the sample is also studied.

La thèse porte sur la quantification d'incertitude de paramètres (Uncertainty Quantification ou UQ) dans le calcul du débit d'absorption spécifique (Specific Absorption Rate ou SAR) de téléphones mobiles. L'impact de l'incertitude, ainsi le manque de connaissances détaillées sur les propriétés électriques des matériaux, les caractéristiques géométriques du système, etc., dans le calcul SAR est quantifiée par trois méthodes de calcul efficaces dites non-intrusives : Transformation non parfumée (Unscented Transformation ou UT), collocation stochastique (Stochastic Collocation ou SC) et polynômes de chaos non-intrusifs (Non-Intrusive Polynomial Chaos ou NIPC).Ces méthodes sont en effet appelées méthodes non intrusives puisque le processus de simulation est tout simplement considéré comme une boîte noire sans que ne soit modifié le code du solveur de simulation. Leurs performances pour les cas de une et deux variables aléatoires sont analysées dans le présent travail. En contraste avec le procédé d'analyse d'incertitude traditionnel (la méthode de Monte Carlo ou MCM), le temps de calcul devient acceptable. Afin de simplifier la procédure UQ pour le cas de plusieurs entrées incertaines, il est démontré que des incertitudes peuvent être combinées de manière à évaluer l'incertitude sur les paramètres de la sortie.Combiner des incertitudes est une approche généralement utilisée dans le domaine des mesures, et ici, il est utilisé dans le calcul du SAR pour la situation complexe. Une des étapes nécessaires dans le cadre de l'analyse d'incertitude est l'analyse de sensibilité (Sensitivity Analysis ou SA), qui vise à quantifier l'importance relative de chaque paramètre d'entrée incertain par rapport à l'incertitude de la sortie. La méthode reposant sur le calcul des indices de sensibilité de Sobol est employée, ces indices étant évalués par un développement en polynômes de chaos, au lieu d'utiliser la méthode de Monte-Carlo dans le calcul SAR. Les résultats des investigations sont présentés et discutés.Afin de faciliter la lecture, des notions élémentaires de débit d'absorption spécifique, de modélisation, d'incertitude dans la modélisation, de théorie des probabilités, et de calcul SAR par l'un des solveurs de simulation sont proposés dans l'Introduction (chapitre 1). Puis l'usage des méthodes non-intrusives UQ telles que UT, SC et NIPC, et l'application de la méthode des indices de Sobol pour l'analyse de sensibilité dans le calcul SAR est présentée dans les chapitres 2 et 3. Dans le chapitre 4, une autre approche d'utilisation des polynômes de chaos est fournie, et elle est utilisée dans le domaine temporel par l'intermédiaire d'un code de différences finies (Finite Difference-Time Domain ou FD-TD). Puisque le code FD-TD dans le solveur de simulation peut en effet être modifié, c'est le développement en polynômes de chaos intrusifs, étudié en détail par un certain nombre de scientifiques déjà, qui est considéré. Dans le chapitre 5, les conclusions et un aperçu des travaux futurs sont fournis. / This thesis focuses on parameter uncertainty quantification (UQ) in specific absorptionrate (SAR) calculation using a computer-aided design (CAD) mobile phone model.The impact of uncertainty, e.g., lack of detailed knowledge about material electricalproperties, system geometrical features, etc., in SAR calculation is quantified by threecomputationally efficient non-intrusive UQ methods: unscented transformation (UT),stochastic collocation (SC) and non-intrusive polynomial chaos (NIPC). They are callednon-intrusive methods because the simulation process is simply considered as a blackboxwithout changing the code of the simulation solver. Their performances for thecases of one and two random variables are analysed. In contrast to the traditionaluncertainty analysis method: Monte Carlo method, the time of the calculation becomesacceptable. To simplify the UQ procedure for the case of multiple uncertain inputs, it isdemonstrated that uncertainties can be combined to evaluate the parameter uncertaintyof the output. Combining uncertainties is an approach generally used in the field ofmeasurement, in this thesis, it is used in SAR calculations in the complex situation. Oneof the necessary steps in the framework of uncertainty analysis is sensitivity analysis (SA)which aims at quantifying the relative importance of each uncertain input parameterwith respect to the uncertainty of the output. Polynomial chaos (PC) based Sobol’indices method whose SA indices are evaluated by PC expansion instead of Monte Carlomethod is used in SAR calculation. The results of the investigations are presented anddiscussed.In order to make the reading easier, elementary notions of SAR, modelling, uncertaintyin modelling, and probability theory are given in introduction (chapter 1). Thenthe main content of this thesis are presented in chapter 2 and chapter 3. In chapter 4,another approach to use PC expansion is given, and it is used in the finite-differencetime-domain (FDTD) code. Since the FDTD code in the simulation solver should bechanged, it is so-called intrusive PC expansion. Intrusive method already investigatedin details in other people’s thesis. In chapter 5, conclusions and future work are given.