Time domain electromagnetic scattering using finite elements and perfectly matched layers

We consider a model for the interrogation of a planar Debye medium by a non-harmonic microwave pulse from an antenna source in free space, and we compute the reflected solution using finite elements in the spatial variables and finite differences in the time variable. Perfectly matched layers (PMLs) and an absorbing boundary condition are used to damp waves interacting with artificial boundaries imposed to allow finite computational domains. We present simulation results showing that numerical reflections from interfaces at PML boundaries can be controlled. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.