Time domain inversion techniques for electromagnetic scattering problems

In English This paper presents a review of and a comparison between two different methods to solve an inverse scattering problem in the time domain. The problem is that of propagation of transient electromagnetic waves in spatially inhomogeneous slabs of finite length. The permittivity and conductivity profiles are assumed to vary only with depth and the scattering problem is thus onedimensional. Several algorithms to solve the direct and inverse scattering problems for continuous and discontinuous permittivity profiles are suggested. Some of these algorithms have not been published before. The aim of this paper is to compare and review these methods. More specifically, the numerical performance of the invariant imbedding approach (layer-stripping)and the Green functions formulation (downward continuation)is compared. Some new results based upon time reversal techniques for a lossless slab are presented in an appendix.