Title: "High-order methods in computational electromagnetism"

Speaker: Randy Paffenroth, Staff Scientist, Applied and Computational Mathematics, California Institute of Technology

Date/Time: Monday, June 19, 2006, 10:00 am

Location: Building 980, Room 24 (Sandia NM)

Brief Abstract: We present a new set of algorithm, methodologies, and software for the numerical solution of problems of surface scattering by complex bodies in three-dimensional space.  Such problems arise in the construction of communication systems, design of low observability aircraft, and modeling of mounted antenna systems for aircraft and spacecraft.  These methods, which are based on integral equations, high-order integration, and fast Fourier transforms, can be used in the solution of problems of electromagnetic and acoustic scattering by surfaces and penetrable scatterers, even in cases in which the scatterers contain geometric singularities such as corners and edges.  Highly accurate and fast methods for such problems are difficult to construct both because of the inherent singularity of the equations of interest as well as the complexity of the geometry itself.  Accordingly, we will describe the interrelationship between software design, high-order surface representations, discretizations, and analytic resolution of singularities from which we construct an algorithm that displays high-order convergence.  Such algorithms have been used to compute scattered fields from obstacles with errors that are orders of magnitude smaller than standard methods and in reduced computation times.  Implementation, parallelization, and user interface issues will be discussed and brief snapshots of other recent projects, including scientific visualization and parameter continuation methods in dynamical systems, will be presented.

CSRI POC: Andy Salinger, (505) 845-3523