---
title: Discretization Hints
status: implemented
doc_kind: reference
audience: user
owner: fullmag-public-docs
---

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# Discretization Hints

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## Contract
This page records the current public Python authoring contract and canonical lowering; it does not redefine solver physics.

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## Governing equations
This API page introduces no independent governing equation. Physical equations belong to interaction and solver-lane pages.

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## Symbols and SI units
Every owned input has its SI unit below; $1$ denotes dimensionless data.

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## Assumptions and validity
Constructor checks run immediately. Lowering and planning additionally check mesh cardinality, capability, and backend legality.

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## Python API
| Python | Type | Default | SI unit | Validation | Meaning | Backend support | ProblemIR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| `DiscretizationHints.fdm` | `FDM \| None` | `None` | $1$ | FDM-specific hint; it does not force FDM when backend selection remains `auto`. | FDM-specific hint; it does not force FDM when backend selection remains `auto`. | FEM/FDM CPU/GPU; planner checks combinations | `backend_policy.discretization_hints.fdm` |
| `DiscretizationHints.fem` | `FEM \| None` | `None` | $1$ | FEM-specific hint; it does not force FEM when backend selection remains `auto`. | FEM-specific hint; it does not force FEM when backend selection remains `auto`. | FEM/FDM CPU/GPU; planner checks combinations | `backend_policy.discretization_hints.fem` |
| `DiscretizationHints.hybrid` | `Hybrid \| None` | `None` | $1$ | Optional hybrid hint. | Optional hybrid hint. | FEM/FDM CPU/GPU; planner checks combinations | `backend_policy.discretization_hints.hybrid` |


### Complete stage-first selection example

Hints are consumed as part of a complete study request. The example below selects the FDM lane;
the same stage structure is used when the request is changed to FEM.

```python
# %% Discretization choice plus executable stages
import fullmag as fm

nm = 1.0e-9
study = fm.study("discretization_hints_example")
study.engine("fdm")
study.device("cpu", precision="double")
study.mode("strict")
study.objects.mesh.defaults(cell_size=(2 * nm, 2 * nm, 5 * nm))
study.exchange()
film = study.geometry(fm.Box(100 * nm, 20 * nm, 5 * nm), name="film")
film.Ms = 800.0e3
film.Aex = 13.0e-12
film.alpha = 0.02
film.m = fm.init.UniformMagnetization((1.0, 0.0, 0.0))
study.solver(integrator="rk45", fix_dt=1.0e-15, gamma=2.211e5)
study.stages.add_run(stage_id="run", until=1.0e-9)
```

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## ProblemIR
The final column gives the serialized destination owned by the current lowering implementation.

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## Round-trip and failure semantics
Requested intent is preserved in Python and IR. Resolved execution is selected by the planner. Validation errors reject malformed values; unsupported combinations fail capability checks without silent fallback.

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## Discrete realization
This page owns authoring and lowering only; numerical realization belongs to solver-lane documentation.

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## Implementation mapping
The adjacent map anchors claims to `packages/fullmag-py/src/fullmag/model/discretization.py` and `class DiscretizationHints`.

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## Validation
Tests compare this inventory with live signatures and validate its source map.

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## Limitations
Representability does not prove every backend combination executable; planner capabilities are authoritative.

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## Scientific bibliography
No physical model is introduced. Primary references belong to consuming interaction pages.

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## Control Room crosswalk

Status: Advertised global/object mesh controls are partial; compatibility-only fields remain not implemented.

| Python/API surface | Control Room path | Status | Transaction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parameters documented on this page | `Model Explorer -> Study or Objects -> <object> -> Mesh` | `partial` | Apply mesh policy or Build Mesh; mesh resources become stale |
| Parameters without a named UI field | `Model Explorer -> Study or Objects -> <object> -> Mesh` | `not implemented` | Python-only until implemented |

frontend support is not implemented for discretization parameters not represented by the mesh panels.
See [Control Room capability register](/frontend/capability-register) for the support matrix and not implemented policy.
Frontend source owner: `apps/control-room/src/modules/inspector/panels/ObjectMeshPolicyPanel.tsx (ObjectMeshPolicyPanel)`.

## Source-code index
| Claim | Path | Stable symbol | Responsibility | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor, validation, lowering | `packages/fullmag-py/src/fullmag/model/discretization.py` | `class DiscretizationHints` | Canonical Python API behavior | Ownership test and source-map validator |