Abstract
Characteristic modes (CMs) are current modes obtained numerically for arbitrarily shaped conducting or dielectric bodies. These modes present really appealing properties, as they not only make possible a modal analysis of conducting/dielectric objects, but they also provide physical interpretation of the radiation phenomena and the fundamental working principle of open radiating structures. In this work, the CMs of a metallic sphere and a circular disk are related with classical TE and TM current modes. A brief review of the most recent applications of CMs to antenna design is also provided, showing the potential of this Theory to assist the design process in a great variety of applications.
