The design of microwave cavity detectors for axion dark matter research is often accomplished using advanced full-wave electromagnetic simulation software tools. These tools provide a cost-effective approach to evaluate a wide variety of cavity configurations, frequency tuning mechanisms, and conductive or dielectric materials and coatings. One simulation software package used for this application is Ansys High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS), which is based upon the well-established finite element method. HFSS includes numerous features useful for microwave cavity design such as parametric geometry modeling, adaptive meshing algorithm, curvilinear mesh elements, driven modal and eigenmode matrix solvers, and optimization algorithms. This paper describes the use of the HFSS software to simulate microwave cavities for axion haloscope detectors, with an example tutorial for a cylindrical cavity. Excellent agreement between the simulated and analytical results is shown for the resonant frequency, quality factor, and form factor.
Revised: October 15, 2020 |
Published: July 18, 2020
Citation
Jones A.M. 2020.Microwave Cavity Simulation Using Ansys HFSS. In Microwave Cavities and Detectors for Axion Research: Proceedings of the 3rd International Workshop. Springer Proceedings in Physics, edited by G. Carosi and G. Rybka, 245, 1-7. Cham:Springer.PNNL-SA-140779.doi:10.1007/978-3-030-43761-9_1