The domain integral equation method with its FFT-based matrix-vector products
is a viable alternative to local methods in free-space scattering problems.
However, it often suffers from the extremely slow convergence of iterative
methods, especially in the transverse electric (TE) case with large or negative
permittivity. We identify the nontrivial essential spectrum of the pertaining
integral operator as partly responsible for this behavior, and the main reason
why a normally efficient deflating preconditioner does not work. We solve this
problem by applying an explicit multiplicative regularizing operator, which
transforms the system to the form `identity plus compact', yet allows the
resulting matrix-vector products to be carried out at the FFT speed. Such a
regularized system is then further preconditioned by deflating an apparently
stable set of eigenvalues with largest magnitudes, which results in a robust
acceleration of the restarted GMRES under constraint memory conditions.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figure