Electromagnetic Science 2025

Wideband Multi-Mode Tracking — Near-Field Global-Correlation Method

Xi Chong You and Feng Han Lin — ShanghaiTech University
Section 1

What is Mode Swapping?

When an eigenvalue solver loses track of mode identity, two curves can "swap" — each continuing along the other's trajectory after a crossover frequency.

CORRECTED ✓
Section 2

What is Mode Missing?

Sometimes a mode is simply lost by the solver — its data contains NaN gaps where tracking failed entirely. The curve disappears and reappears unpredictably.

CORRECTED ✓
Section 3

Real Example: 4×4 Metasurface

20 characteristic modes tracked from 9 to 11 GHz. The commercial solver (FEKO 2024) introduces both swapping and missing errors. Our method corrects them all.

CORRECTED ✓
FEKO 2024 — Tracking Errors Detected