Research

This section collects background research that informs COMPASS design decisions. It is not a step-by-step guide; use it to understand why a solver, benchmark, or sensor-modeling assumption was chosen.

Research Map

Topic	Start here	Why it matters
Theory coverage	Theory Coverage Map	Keep theory pages scoped and avoid duplicate explanations
Solver ecosystem	EM Solver Survey	Compare open-source RCWA/FDTD options and licensing
Sensor direction	CIS Technology Trends	Track pixel scaling, BSI structures, DTI, and optical stack trends
Method choice	Simulation Methods	Compare TMM, RCWA, FDTD, and hybrid validation strategies
Literature	Key Papers	Anchor implementation choices in published work
Validation	Benchmarks & Validation	Define how COMPASS proves solver correctness

How to Use These Notes

• Read them before adding a new solver backend.
• Link them from issues or PRs when a design decision depends on external evidence.
• Use Reports for generated benchmark evidence and this section for broader technical context.