Open-Source CAE for Electron Beam Optics Design: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

We discuss the advantages of domain specific computer aid engineering (CAE) systems, which have to be machine-consuming, rather than human-consuming, and be able to operate at future supercomputers. We reveal some quirks of modern human-consuming commercial CAEs, and their limitations. Next, we have described the main benefits and shortcomings of the open-source software development model (from the developers' perspective), which as we think suits our needs best. We have briefly overviewed some modern software technologies, on top of which any advanced CAE could be built. Most of them are open-sourced. In addition, we justify using Matlab technical computing language for prototyping domain specific CAE systems. In conclusion, we present a prototype of a 2D preprocessor with direct editing capabilities for domain-specific CAE for electron beam optics design.