Numerical solution of uniform hollow waveguides with boundaries of arbitrary shape

Abstract

The object of this work is to provide a versatile and efficient computer program that automatically solves a wide range of waveguide problems. A computer program now exists that calculates the cutoff frequency, field distribution and characteristic impedance of the dominant TE or TM mode for any uniform loss-free waveguide with homogeneous isotropic filling. Any shape of boundary can be accepted (in principle), and, as an iterative procedure is used, the required accuracy can be specified. The only limits to boundary shape and accuracy are computer storage capacity, computer speed, and, ultimately, computer word length; but with modern large computers these are not often restrictive. Results have generally been to within 0.1% accuracy or better. A wide class of waveguide problems that are reducible to the two-dimensional case can also now be analysed, including waveguide discontinuities (obstacles, offsets, etc.) and junctions of two or more waveguides.