Conservative space-time mesh refinement methods for the FDTD solution of Maxwell's equations (Q2572779)

The paper focuses on a special time discretization approach formulated by the authors in order to keep subgridding schemes in Finite Difference Time Domain procedures conservative. They claim very general applicability though they demonstrate their method only for the Maxwellian wave propagation problem with a spatial 1-2 refinement within a rectangular subdomain of the discretized volume. Time stepping within the subdomain is refined by a factor of two as well. Coupling between subgrided and exterior domain is provided by the mean of a virtual current density discretized on the separating surface, which is calculated every (exterior) time step by inverting a sparse linear system. At least at this point remarks about the nature of alternative coupling quantities for other kind of problems would be helpful with respect to the generality claimed in the paper. Proofs of existence of the discretized solution, energy conservation and stability -- under given conditions -- are described in detail in the paper. The authors present numerical experiments that are appropriate to demonstrate the function of the procedure, whereas some conclusions according comparisons between results from overall refinements and the approach under discussion could have been drawn in a more differentiated manner. At least some work of the group around T. Weiland, e.g. of P. Thoma and T. Weiland, is missing in the reference list.