The Discrete Dipole Approximation: A Review
Patrick C. Chaumet
Abstract
There are many methods for rigorously calculating electromagnetic diffraction by objects of arbitrary shape and permittivity. In this article, we will detail the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) which belongs to the class of volume integral methods. Starting from Maxwell’s equations, we will first present the principle of DDA as well as its theoretical and numerical aspects. Then, we will discuss the many developments that this method has undergone over time and the numerous applications that have been developed to transform DDA in a very versatile method. We conclude with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the DDA and a description of the freely available DDA-based electromagnetic diffraction codes.
Topics & Concepts
Discrete dipole approximationDiffractionComputational electromagneticsClass (philosophy)Computer scienceMaxwell's equationsDipoleIntegral equationPermittivityPhysicsCalculus (dental)Applied mathematicsElectromagnetic fieldMathematical analysisMathematicsClassical mechanicsOpticsArtificial intelligenceDielectricQuantum mechanicsMedicineDentistryElectromagnetic Scattering and AnalysisElectromagnetic Simulation and Numerical MethodsMicrowave Engineering and Waveguides