Numerical homogenization of heterogeneous media using FVTD simulations

Abstract

We present a method to calculate the effective dielectric constant of an inhomogeneous medium using the finite-volume time-domain (FVTD) method and a Monte Carlo algorithm. Results for a variety of spherical inclusion dielectrics in a free space background are calculated over a large range of volume fraction. Comparison with theoretical bounds and a dielectric mixture model showed that the method can be used for moderate to high volume fractions.