A moment method solution for coated scatterers using physical basis functions

We consider the scattering from a conducting object coated with a homogeneous dielectric layer of constant thickness. The scattered field is governed by a surface integral equation on the conductive surface and a volume integral equation within the coating layer. We show that an approximate solution may be found via the "physical basis function" ansatz, in which the fields in the dielectric layer are composed of a "forced" wave and multiple surface waves. A specific implementation is presented for a conducting strip with a thin dielectric coating under TE illumination. Results are compared to those of a conventional pulse-Galerkin moment method formulation.