A robust and low frequency stable time domain PMCHWT equation

The time domain PMCHWT equation models transient scattering by piecewise homogeneous dielectrics. After discretization, it can be solved using the marching-on-in-time algorithm. Unfortunately, the PMCHWT equation suffers from DC instability: it supports constant in time regime solutions. Upon discretization, the corresponding poles of the system response function shift into the unstable region of the complex plane, rendering the MOT algorithm unstable. Furthermore, the discrete system becomes ill-conditioned when a large time step is used. This phenomenon is termed low frequency breakdown. In this contribution, the quasi Helmholtz components of the PMCHWT equation are separated using projector operators. Judicially integrating or differentiating these components of the basis and testing functions leads to an algorithm that (i) does not suffer from unstable modes even in the presence of moderate numerical errors, (ii) remains well-conditioned for large time steps, and (iii) can be applied effectively to both simply and multiply connected geometries

A space-time mixed Galerkin marching-on-in-time scheme for the time-domain combined field integral equation

The time domain combined field integral equation (TD-CFIE), which is constructed from a weighted sum of the time domain electric and magnetic field integral equations (TD-EFIE and TD-MFIE) for analyzing transient scattering from closed perfect electrically conducting bodies, is free from spurious resonances. The standard marching-on-in-time technique for discretizing the TD-CFIE uses Galerkin and collocation schemes in space and time, respectively. Unfortunately, the standard scheme is theoretically not well understood: stability and convergence have been proven for only one class of space-time Galerkin discretizations. Moreover, existing discretization schemes are nonconforming, i.e., the TD-MFIE contribution is tested with divergence conforming functions instead of curl conforming functions. We therefore introduce a novel space-time mixed Galerkin discretization for the TD-CFIE. A family of temporal basis and testing functions with arbitrary order is introduced. It is explained how the corresponding interactions can be computed efficiently by existing collocation-in-time codes. The spatial mixed discretization is made fully conforming and consistent by leveraging both Rao-Wilton-Glisson and Buffa-Christiansen basis functions and by applying the appropriate bi-orthogonalization procedures. The combination of both techniques is essential when high accuracy over a broad frequency band is required

Calderon multiplicative preconditioner for the PMCHWT equation applied to chiral media

In this contribution, a Calderon preconditioned algorithm for the modeling of scattering of time harmonic electromagnetic waves by a chiral body is introduced. The construction of the PMCHWT in the presence of chiral media is revisited. Since this equation reduces to the classic PMCHWT equation when the chirality parameter tends to zero, it shares its spectral properties. More in particular, it suffers from dense grid breakdown. Based on the work in [1], [2], a regularized version of the PMCHWT equation is introduced. A discretization scheme is described. Finally, the validity and spectral properties are studied numerically. More in particular, it is proven that linear systems arising in the novel scheme can be solved in a small number of iterations, regardless the mesh parameter

Accurate temporal discretization of time domain boundary integral equations

In this contribution, a novel temporal discretization scheme for time domain boundary integral equations is introduced. It distinguishes itself by (i) a new approach to the construction of higher order temporal basis functions, and (ii) the use of temporal Petrov-Galerkin testing as opposed to the widespread collocation in time method. The retarded potential boundary integral equation and its classic collocation in time discretization will be revisited. Next, the new temporal basis and testing functions will be introduced. The space-time Petrov-Galerkin discretization using these functions will be elucidated. Finally, numerical results are presented testifying to the improved accuracy of the novel scheme

Accurate and conforming mixed discretization of the chiral Müller equation

Scattering of time-harmonic fields by chiral objects can be modeled by a second kind boundary integral equation, similar to Muller's equation for scattering by nonchiral penetrable objects. In this contribution, a mixed discretization scheme for the chiral Muller equation is introduced using both Rao-Wilton- Glisson and Buffa-Christiansen funtions. It is shown that this mixed discretization yields more accurate solutions than classical discretizations, and that they can be computed in a limited number of iterations using Krylov type solvers

On a low-frequency and refinement stable PMCHWT integral equation leveraging the quasi-Helmholtz projectors

Classical Poggio-Miller-Chan-Harrington-Wu-Tsai (PMCHWT) formulations for modeling radiation and scattering from penetrable objects suffer from ill-conditioning when the frequency is low or when the mesh density is high. The most effective techniques to solve these problems, unfortunately, either require the explicit detection of the so-called global loops of the structure, or suffer from numerical cancellation at extremely low frequency. In this contribution, a novel regularization method for the PMCHWT equation is proposed, which is based on the quasi-Helmholtz projectors. This method not only solves both the low frequency and the dense mesh ill-conditioning problems of the PMCHWT, but it is immune from low-frequency numerical cancellations and it does not require the detection of global loops. This is obtained by projecting the range space of the PMCHWT operator onto a dual basis, by rescaling the resulting quasi- Helmholtz components, by replicating the strategy in the dual space, and finally by combining the primal and the dual equations in a Calderón like fashion. Implementation-related treatments and details alternate the theoretical developments in order to maximize impact and practical applicability of the approach. Finally, numerical results corroborate the theory and show the effectiveness of the new schemes in real case scenarios