Method of moments (electromagnetics)

For the general integral equation method, see Boundary element method.
Simulation of negative refraction from a metasurface at 15 GHz for different angles of incidence. The simulations are performed through the method of moments.

The method of moments (MoM), also known as the moment method and method of weighted residuals,[1] is a numerical method in computational electromagnetics. It is used in computer programs that simulate the interaction of electromagnetic fields such as radio waves with matter, for example antenna simulation programs like NEC that calculate the radiation pattern of an antenna. Generally being a frequency-domain method,[a] it involves the projection of an integral equation into a system of linear equations by the application of appropriate boundary conditions. This is done by using discrete meshes as in finite difference and finite element methods, often for the surface. The solutions are represented with the linear combination of pre-defined basis functions; generally, the coefficients of these basis functions are the sought unknowns. Green's functions and Galerkin method play a central role in the method of moments.

For many applications, the method of moments is identical to the boundary element method.[b] It is one of the most common methods in microwave and antenna engineering.

  1. ^ Davidson 2005, p. 7.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference orlandi-tdmom was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bretones-tdmom was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference firouzeh-tdmom was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Davidson 2005, pp. 7, 197–200.


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