Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithms with Applications to Wave Scattering Problems

Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithms are widely used in a plethora of optimization problems. In this chapter, we focus on applications of PSO algorithms to optimization problems arising in the theory of wave scattering by inhomogeneous media. More precisely, we consider scattering problems concerning the excitation of a layered spherical medium by an external dipole. The goal is to optimize the physical and geometrical parameters of the medium’s internal composition for varying numbers of layers (spherical shells) so that the core of the medium is substantially cloaked. For the solution of the associated optimization problem, PSO algorithms have been specifically applied to effectively search for optimal solutions corresponding to realizable parameters values. We performed rounds of simulations for the the basic version of the original PSO algorithm, as well as a newer variant of the Accelerated PSO (known as “Chaos Enhanced APSO”/ “Chaotic APSO”). Feasible solutions were found leading to significantly reduced values of the employed objective function, which is the normalized total scattering cross section of the layered medium. Remarks regarding the differences and particularities among the different PSO algorithms as well as the fine-tuning of their parameters are also pointed out.