Computing the Flow of Light

The finite difference time domain (FDTD) method computes the time evolution of a system at discrete time steps, and periodically visualizing the results lets us view its time evolution, yielding valuable physical insights. FDTD and FDTD-like methods can be used to solve a wide variety of problems, including–but not limited to–the wave equation, Maxwell's equations, and the Schrödinger equation. In addition to introducing useful new methodologies, this book provides readers with analytical background and simulation examples that will help them develop their own methodologies to solve yet-to-be-posed problems. The book is written for students, engineers, and researchers grappling with problems that cannot be solved analytically. It could also be used as a textbook for a mathematical physics or engineering class. An accompanying CD provides supplemental Mathcad and pseudocode programs.