Boundary integral equations for the scattering of electromagnetic waves by a homogeneous dielectric obstacle

Source abstract

Synopsis Time-harmonic electromagnetic waves are scattered by a homogeneous dielectric obstacle. The corresponding electromagnetic transmission problem is reduced to a single integral equation over S for a single unknown tangential vector field, where S is the interface between the obstacle and the surrounding medium. In fact, several different integral equations are derived and analysed, including two previously-known equations due to E. Marx and J. R. Mautz, and two new singular integral equations. Mautz's equation is shown to be uniquely solvable at all frequencies. A new uniquely solvable singular integral equation is also found. The paper also includes a review of methods using pairs of coupled integral equations over S . It is these methods that are usually used in practice, although single integral equations seem to offer some computational advantages.