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B-CALM: An open-source GPU-based 3D-FDTD with multi-pole dispersion for plasmonics

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Abstract

Numerical calculations with finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) on metallic nanostructures in a broad optical spectrum require an accurate approximation of the permittivity of dispersive materials. In this paper, we present the algorithms behind B-CALM (Belgium-California Light Machine), an open-source 3D-FDTD solver operating on Graphical Processing Units with multi-pole dispersion models. Our modified architecture shows a reduction in computing times for multi-pole dispersion models. We benchmark B-CALM by computing the absorption efficiency of a metallic nanosphere on a broad spectral range with a six-poles Drude-Lorentz model and compare it with Mie theory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brussels Photonics Team, Applied Physics and Photonics Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels, Belgium

    Pierre Wahl, Christof Debaes & Hugo Thienpont

  2. Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 940305, USA

    Pierre Wahl, Dany-Sebastien Ly-Gagnon & David A. B. Miller

Authors
  1. Pierre Wahl
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  2. Dany-Sebastien Ly-Gagnon
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  3. Christof Debaes
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  4. David A. B. Miller
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  5. Hugo Thienpont
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Correspondence to Pierre Wahl.

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Wahl, P., Ly-Gagnon, DS., Debaes, C. et al. B-CALM: An open-source GPU-based 3D-FDTD with multi-pole dispersion for plasmonics. Opt Quant Electron 44, 285–290 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-012-9558-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-012-9558-z

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