Time-domain finite-element simulation of three-dimensional scattering and radiation problems using perfectly matched layers

An effective algorithm to construct perfectly matched layers (PMLs) for truncating time-domain finite-element meshes used in the simulation of three-dimensional (3-D) open-region electromagnetic scattering and radiation problems is presented. Both total- and scattered-field formulations are described. The proposed algorithm is based on the time-domain finite-element solution of the vector wave equation in an anisotropic and dispersive medium. The algorithm allows for the variation of the PML parameters within each element, which facilitates the efficient use of higher order vector basis functions. The stability of the resultant numerical procedure is analyzed, and it is shown that unconditionally stable schemes can be obtained. Numerical simulations of radiation and scattering problems based on both the zeroth- and higher order vector bases are presented to validate the proposed PML scheme.