Asymptotic methods are usually valid at high frequencies as k<sub>0</sub> R = 2π R/λ<sub>0</sub> >> 1, where R is the distance between the source and observation points, k<sub>0 </sub> is the free-space propagation constant and λ<sub>0 </sub>is the free-space wavelength. Under such conditions, electromagnetic fields and waves start to behave more like optical fields and waves. Asymptotic methods are typically inspired by optical analysis. Two important examples of asymptotic methods are the Shoot-and-Bounce-Rays (SBR) method and Physical Optics (PO). The [[SBR Method|SBR method]] is a ray tracing method based on Geometrical Optics (GO) and forms the basis of the simulation engine of [[EM.Terrano]].
In the Physical Optics (PO) method, a scatterer surface is illuminated by an incident source, and it is modeled by equivalent electric and magnetic surface currents. This concept is based on the fundamental equivalence theorem of electromagnetics. According to the Huygens principle, the equivalent electric and magnetic surface currents are derived from the tangential components of magnetic and electric fields on a given surface, respectively. In a conventional A simple PO analysis, which involves only perfect electric conductors, and only electric surface currents related to the tangential magnetic fields are considered. A challenging step in establishing the PO currents is the determination of the lit and shadowed points on complex scatterer geometries. The conventional physical optics method (GO-PO) uses geometrical optics ray tracing from each source to the points on the scatterers to determine whether they fall into the lit or shadow regions. EM.Illumina assumes that a source like a short dipole radiator or an incident plane wave induces currents on the metallic structure, which in turn reradiate into the free space. In the case of an impedance surface, both surface electric and magnetic current are induced on the surface of the scatterer.
[[Image:Info_icon.png|40px]] Click here to lean more about the '''[[Theory of Physical Optics]]'''.
=== Advantages & Limitations of EM.Illumina's PO Solver ===
EM.Illumina provides a computationally efficient alternative to full-wave solutions for extremely large structures when full-wave analysis becomes prohibitively expensive. Based on a high frequency asymptotic physical optics formulation, EM.Illumina assumes that a source like a short dipole radiator or an incident plane wave induces currents on a metallic structure, which in turn reradiate into the free space. In the case of an impedance surface, both surface electric and magnetic current are induced on the surface of the scatterer. A challenging step in establishing the PO currents is the determination of the lit and shadowed points on complex scatterer geometries. The conventional physical optics method (GO-PO) uses geometrical optics ray tracing from each source to the points on the scatterers to determine whether they fall into the lit or shadow regions. But this can become a time consuming task depending on the size of the computational problem. Besides GO-PO, EM.Illumina also offers a novel Iterative Physical Optics (IPO) formulation, which automatically accounts for multiple shadowing effects. The IPO technique can effectively capture dominant, near-field, multiple scattering effects from electrically large targets.
== Building the Physical Structure ==