Nonlinear FDTD solution to the high-field conduction model for some solid dielectrics [microstrip structure example]

To accurately predict and describe the breakdown of a dielectric that occurred in an electronic device or system is a very challenging task. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is one of the most popular full-wave numerical algorithms. As a time-domain method, it is especially powerful in modeling transient electromagnetic phenomena, such as the high power pulse penetrating and coupling into electric systems, etc. In this work, a nonlinear FDTD solution to the high field conduction model of some typical solid dielectrics is proposed, where inner iterations are taken to handle the nonlinear relationship between the field strength and material properties. Numerical examples are given for a microstrip structure.