EM.Ferma currently offers three different simulation modes: Analysis, Parametric Sweep and Optimization. An "Analysis" is a single-shot finite difference solution of your static structure. The structure is first discretized using a fixed-cell mesh and the Poisson equation is solved numerically everywhere in your computational domain. The field and potential values at each mesh node are computed and the specified observables are written into data files.
In a "Parametric Sweep", one ore more variables are varied at the specified steps(s). This means that you must first define one or more variables in your projects. [[Variables]] can be associated with CAD object properties like dimensions, coordinates, rotation angles, etc. or with material properties or source properties. For each single variable sample or each combination of variable samples, first all the associated CAD object properties, material properties or source properties are updated in the project workspace. Then is a finite difference solution of your updated static structure is computed and parametric sweep proceeds to the next variable sample or combination.
The optimization mode requires definition of one or more objectives based on the standard output quantities. At the present time, the optimization mode is only available for the 2D Quasi-Static Mode of the EM.Ferma, which will be discussed separately later.