Metamaterial Design by Mesh Adaptive Direct Search

Abstract

In the design of optical metamaterials, some optimization problems require launching a numerical simulation. The Mesh Adaptive Direct Search algorithm is designed for such problems. The MADS algorithm does not require any derivative information about the problem being optimized, and no continuity or differentiability assumptions are made by MADS on the functions defining the simulation. A detailed discussion of the method is provided in the second section of the chapter, followed by a discussion of the NOMAD implementation of the method and its features. The final section of the chapter lists three instances of combining NOMAD with Finite-Difference Time-Domain electromagnetic simulations to tailor the broadband spectral response and near-field interactions of Split Ring Resonator metamaterials.