Genetic Algorithms Help Design Dielectric Grating Filters

A computational method for designing all-dielectric grating electromagnetic filters involves a combination of (1) numerical simulation of filter performance via integral-equation solution of Maxwell's equations and (2) genetic algorithms to find acceptable combinations of filter-design parameters. The method can be used to design filters of various types (e.g., band-pass, stop-band, or dichroic) for wavelengths from ultraviolet to microwave. One important potential application for the method might lie in the design of all-dielectric microwave dichroic filters for radomes; at present, all-dielectric versions are unknown and the filters are made of metals.