Inclusion detection analysis in rectangular dielectric structures using the finite-difference time-domain technique

Abstract

This paper describes a study which has shown the feasibility of using a Finite-Difference Time-Domain software package TSAR (Temporal Scattering and Response) to generate far-field scattered electric field patterns for the remote detection of dielectric and metallic inclusions in homogeneous dielectric structures. The far-field scattered patterns of a homogeneous dielectric structure of rectangular cross section, representing a typical rock sample whose dielectric properties have been measured were calculated using TSAR. Inclusions, both dielectric and metallic, of various sizes were placed at different locations in this homogeneous sample. The calculations showed that it was indeed possible to detect the presence, the size, type and location of these inclusions to sizes as small as 0.067% of the total sample volume, by observing the scattered electric field patterns. An application of this study would eventually be for the inverse scattering problem of microwave remote detection of minerals in rocks.