Solving electromagnetics problems with SPICE

The author describes how SPICE, which is normally viewed as a circuit analysis and design program, can be used to solve two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) potential problems. The characteristic impedance of regular and odd-shaped lossless transmission lines can be obtained directly: from this the inductance and capacitance can be obtained. In the 3-D case, the potential distribution and capacitance between two objects can be obtained. It is noted that, for electrical engineering students, the solution of 2-D problems of capacitance or characteristic impedance may be more attractive than having to cope with programming a relaxation matrix or coping with a spreadsheet. For 3-D problems the use of SPICE is not recommended except to conceptualize the problem itself