Maxwell’s equations have been around for over 150 years since its inception. But due to their enduring legacy, their importance has not diminished over the years. In fact, electromagnetic theory finds applications in increasing number of areas and relationship to deeper mathematics. For instance, electromagnetics is important for quantum information, quantum optics, and increasingly being used in photonic and bio technologies.

In this talk, we will report our progress in several frontiers related to electromagnetics.

1.Deeply multi-scale analysis of complex structures
Deeply multi-scale problems are omnipresent where the smallest features can be many orders of magnitude smaller than the largest features.

2.Physics-based characteristic mode analysis
Because of the popular use of commercial software to solve problems, many antenna designers arrive at designs without much physical guidance nor insight. Hence, ways to enhance physical insight and understanding of wave physics and electromagnetics are needed. Hence, analysis such as characteristic mode analysis could be of greater importance in future designs and applications. They will make the antenna analysis more physics based rather than by trial and error.

3.Computational imaging

The leaps and bounds progress in computer technology warrants one to look at the inverse scattering and imaging problem differently. With 10 million times improvement in speed and reduction in cost, different computational paradigms need to be explored. This can occur in multiple scattering imaging where the prowess of modern computer technology can be harnessed to improving imaging technology, just as what machine learning has done.

4.Quantum effects in future technologies

As device dimensions become smaller, operating electromagnetic frequencies become higher, and measurement sensitivities improve, the quantization of electromagnetic field becomes increasingly important. This ushers in the age of quantum technologies.

The above topics will be discussed in the presentation.

 

W.C. Chew received all his degrees from MIT. His research interests is in wave physics, specializing in fast algorithms for multiple scattering imaging and computational electromagnetics in the last 30 years. His recent research interest is in combining quantum theory with electromagnetics, and differential geometry with computational electromagnetics. After MIT, he joined Schlumberger-Doll Research in 1981. In 1985, he joined U Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was then the director of the Electromagnetics Lab from 1995-2007. During 2000-2005, he was the Founder Professor, 2005-2009 the YT Lo Chair Professor, and since 2013 the Fisher Distinguished Professor. During 2007-2011, he was the Dean of Engineering at The University of Hong Kong. He has co-authored three books, many lecture notes, over 400 journal papers, and over 600 conference papers. He is a fellow of various societies, and an ISI highly cited author. In 2008, he received the IEEE AP-S CT Tai Distinguished Educator Award, in 2013, elected to the National Academy of Engineering, and in 2015 received the ACES Computational Electromagnetics Award. He has been selected to receive the 2017 IEEE Electromagnetics Award, and be the IEEE AP-S 2017 President Elect.