Numerical Solution of Transient Electromagnetic Scattering Problems

A novel computational technique is presented for obtaining the numerical solution of transient electromagnetic scattering problems directly in the time domain. This technique consists of numerically stepping on in time the exact space-time integral equation that represents the solution of the scattering problem. The space-time integral equation and its numerical solution are described. Recent results are presented for convex targets, wires, targets with wires attached, and flat plates. The transient scattering results are compared with direct time domain measurements carried out with sub-nanosecond techniques and shown to be in good agreement. The merits of this time domain technique over more conventional frequency domain approaches are also discussed.