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Multilayer structures: multiple Rectangles or one Rectangle with Layers?

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Dear all,

I am dealing with multilayer structures, and I have a small doubt: modelling a multilayer, do I get the same results (and of course the same physical meaning) using:
1) different rectangles (i.e. in Geometry having Rectangle 1, Rectangle 2 etc.)
2) use only one "Rectangle" but defining the thickness of the layers in "Layers" (in the Rectangle window)
Or, to be more precise, is the procedure 2) more suitable when you have to model a multilayer with a large number of layers (so it's faster than to create multiple rectangles)? But, of course, you have the same model and results, is it correct?

Regarding this issue, why does in the model "layered plate" (in the Model Library) it is used the option 1) instead of 2) ?

Thank you very much
Fabio

3 Replies Last Post Mar 27, 2013, 12:58 p.m. EDT
Sven Friedel COMSOL Employee

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Posted: 1 decade ago Mar 26, 2013, 9:26 a.m. EDT
Dear Fabio,

the creation of layers can be done with either option 1) and option 2) and will give in the same result.
I agree, that layers are the more flexible approach - this feature has been added in COMSOL version 4,
whereas the option to draw recatngles individually has been there longer.
So, I encourage you to use the new feature it will probably allow you to define your layers in the most
efficient way.

Best regards,
Sven Friedel
Dear Fabio, the creation of layers can be done with either option 1) and option 2) and will give in the same result. I agree, that layers are the more flexible approach - this feature has been added in COMSOL version 4, whereas the option to draw recatngles individually has been there longer. So, I encourage you to use the new feature it will probably allow you to define your layers in the most efficient way. Best regards, Sven Friedel

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Posted: 1 decade ago Mar 26, 2013, 10:57 a.m. EDT
Dear Sven,

thank you so much for your confirmation. I would just add, for whom might be interested using layers as the option 2) I introduced, that there is the (lower) thickness limit of 2e-6 [m] (=2 microns), at least in Comsol 4.3a (in the 4.3 is higher).

Kind regards
Dear Sven, thank you so much for your confirmation. I would just add, for whom might be interested using layers as the option 2) I introduced, that there is the (lower) thickness limit of 2e-6 [m] (=2 microns), at least in Comsol 4.3a (in the 4.3 is higher). Kind regards

Sven Friedel COMSOL Employee

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Posted: 1 decade ago Mar 27, 2013, 12:58 p.m. EDT
Hi Fabio,

this seems not an absolute limit but might be a consequence of your particular choice of default repair tolerance and unit for geometry. Seee my attached model taht resolves layers of 0.002 um.

Sven
Hi Fabio, this seems not an absolute limit but might be a consequence of your particular choice of default repair tolerance and unit for geometry. Seee my attached model taht resolves layers of 0.002 um. Sven

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