Special Session 4: Mathematical methods in electromagnetism and related topics

Lipschitz stable determination of polyhedral conductivity inclusions from local boundary measurements

Andrea Aspri
Universit\`a degli Studi di Milano Statale
Italy
Co-Author(s):    Elena Beretta, Elisa Francini, Sergio Vessella
Abstract:
In this talk, we investigate the nonlinear inverse problem of recovering a polyhedral inclusion in a three-dimensional homogeneous isotropic conducting body from boundary measurements. We consider the conductivity equation and establish a Lipschitz stability estimate for polyhedral conductivity inclusions, measured in the Hausdorff distance, in terms of the local Dirichlet-to-Neumann map. As a byproduct, we derive a uniqueness result that is new in this general framework. This is joint work with Elena Beretta (NYU Abu Dhabi), Elisa Francini, and Sergio Vessella (University of Florence).

Averaged Steklov eigenvalues and applications to electromagnetic imaging problems

Mayeul Chavanne
Institut Polytechnique de Paris
France
Co-Author(s):    Lorenzo Audibert, Houssem Haddar
Abstract:
We study electromagnetic inverse scattering problems at fixed frequency using multi-static data. Classical imaging methods typically fail when the background medium is highly oscillatory. To overcome this limitation, we propose a new method based on the introduction of artificial resonators. The inverse problem considered here takes as input measurements of scattered waves recorded at large distances from an object, known as the far-field pattern, at a fixed frequency. The goal is to recover information about the internal composition of the probed domain. The general structure of the proposed algorithm is as follows: \begin{itemize} \item At a point $z$ in the investigated domain $\Omega$, we numerically introduce an artificial resonator $D_z$. \item We define in $D_z$ an artificial spectral problem with a unique resonance eigenvalue $\lambda$, and relate this resonance to a quantitative indicator function $I(z)$. \item The resonance parameter is identified from the far field data using the Inside-Outside Duality method, or the Linear Sampling Method. \item The indicator function $I(z)$ is computed by sweeping $z$ over the inspected area. \end{itemize}

Homogenization of partial differential equations with quasiperiodic coefficients

Elena Cherkaev
University of Utah
USA
Co-Author(s):    
Abstract:
Quasiperiodic geometry is characterized by a long-range order in the absence of periodicity. Quasiperiodic structures can be modeled using the cut-and-projection method that restricts or projects a periodic function in a higher dimensional space to a lower dimensional subspace cut at an irrational projection angle. We derive the homogenized equations for the effective electromagnetic properties of a quasiperiodic composite using cut-and-projection method applied to periodic homogenization in a higher dimensional space. We use equations for the local cell problem in the higher dimensional space established in the homogenization process to develop the Herglotz analytic representation for the effective properties of quasiperiodic materials. This integral representation determines the spectral characteristics of fields in quasicrystalline composites and can be used to derive bounds for the effective properties. A joint work with Niklas Wellander and Sebastien Guenneau.

Nonclassical dynamics transmission problems of generalized thermo-electro-magneto-elasticity

Otar Chkadua
Andrea Razmadze Mathematical Institute of I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Sokhumi State University
Rep of Georgia
Co-Author(s):    Otar Chkadua
Abstract:
We investigate the solvability, asymptotic analysis and regularity results of solutions to three-dimensional nonclassical dynamics problems of interaction between thermo-elastic and generalized thermo-electro-magneto-elastic homogeneous anisotropic bodies with a crack at the interface. The considered generalized thermo-electro-magneto-elasticity model is based on the Green--Lindsay theory. Unlike classical theories of thermo--elasticity, heat propagation in this model occurs with a finite speed. Using the Laplace transform, potential theory and the method of pseudodifferential equations on a manifold with a boundary based on the Wiener--Hopf factorization method, existence and uniqueness theorems are proved. Asymptotics of solutions near the edge of a interface crack and near the lines where the boundary conditions of different types meet are obtained. Based on the asymptotic analysis, we establish almost optimal H\{o}lder results for solutions. This is joint work with D. Natroshvili and T. Buchukuri. This research was supported by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation (SRNSF) Grant No. FR-23-267.

The Neumann-Poincar\`e spectrum, shape analyticity and shape derivatives

Matteo Dalla Riva
University of Padova
Italy
Co-Author(s):    Pier Domenico Lamberti, Paolo Luzzini, and Paolo Musolino
Abstract:
A small metallic particle exposed to electromagnetic radiation with wavelength much larger than its size exhibits shape-dependent resonant frequencies, a phenomenon known as surface plasmon resonance. In the quasi-static regime, this effect is described by a Laplace transmission problem, which can be reformulated as an eigenvalue problem for the Neumann--Poincar\`e (NP) operator, a boundary integral operator associated with the harmonic double-layer potential. In this talk, based on recent work (arXiv:2504.00696), I will discuss how the NP eigenvalues depend on smooth deformations of the domain. In particular, we will see that simple eigenvalues, as well as symmetric functions of multiple eigenvalues, depend real-analytically on the shape. We will also describe explicit formulas for their first shape derivatives and discuss some further consequences of these results.

The spectrum of dissipative Maxwell operators

Francesco Ferraresso
University of Verona
Italy
Co-Author(s):    S. B\\\\{o}gli, M. Marletta, L. Provenzano, C. Tretter.
Abstract:
The Maxwell system (1865) in time-harmonic formulation has always an infinite dimensional kernel (given by gradient fields), even in bounded domains; therefore, the Maxwell essential spectrum is always non-empty, and many standard spectral theory techniques fail. Even more dramatically, dissipative Maxwell systems in bounded domains might have segments of essential spectrum along the imaginary axis. If the $L^\infty$ coefficients $\epsilon$, $\mu$, and $\sigma$ are asymptotically constant, I will show that the essential spectrum of the Maxwell system in anisotropic conductive media with perfectly conducting boundary conditions can be characterised as the union of the essential spectra of a bounded operator and of an unbounded selfadjoint $\mathrm{\curl} \mathrm{\curl}$ operator. I will further discuss how we can concretely compute the spectrum of the original Maxwell system avoiding spectral pollution phenomena. I will conclude with some results aimed at relating the geometry of the domain $\Omega$ with the spectrum of the $\mathrm{\curl} \mathrm{\curl}$ operator. Based on joint work with S. B\ogli (Durham), M. Marletta (Cardiff), L. Provenzano (Sapienza Rome) and C. Tretter (Bern).

Stability estimates for inverse boundary value problems

Elisa Francini
Universit\`a di Firenze
Italy
Co-Author(s):    Elena Beretta, Sergio Vessella
Abstract:
Inverse boundary value problems need strong a priori assumptions to ensure a good rate of stability. We consider the inverse conductivity problem in the case of piecewise constant conductivities defined on a known partition of the domain. While the general problem is severely ill-posed, exhibiting logarithmic stability, the introduction of structural a priori information allows for stronger stability results. We prove Lipschitz stability of the map from the conductivity to the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator within this class. The analysis relies on the finite-dimensional structure of the parameter space together with quantitative unique continuation and propagation of smallness arguments.

Integrable Reductions and Solitons of Nonlocal NLS Systems

Dimitrios J. Frantzeskakis
Department of Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Greece
Co-Author(s):    T. P. Horikis and G. N. Koutsokostas
Abstract:
In recent years, considerable attention has been devoted to nonlinear systems featuring a spatially nonlocal nonlinear response. In such systems, the nonlinear response at a point in space depends on the field values in a surrounding region. Here, we study nonlocal nonlinear Schr\odinger (NLS) models describing the evolution of optical beams in thermal optical media, nematic liquid crystals, and plasmas. We use multiscale expansion methods to asymptotically reduce the nonlocal NLS to completely integrable models arising in the theory of water waves, such as the Korteweg--de Vries (KdV), the Boussinesq/Benney--Luke, the Kadomtsev--Petviashvili (KP-I and KP-II), the Davey--Stewartson (DS-I and DS-II), and the Mel{\cprime}nikov systems. We show that the strength of nonlocality plays a role analogous to surface tension and thus strongly affects the types of solitons that can form in nonlocal media, as well as their stability and interactions.

Towards a universal approach for the boundary problems

NIKOLAOS GIALELIS
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Greece
Co-Author(s):    
Abstract:
We discuss a new universal technique for dealing with boundary value problems, both static and evolutionary, which is independent of the respective geometry, and present some applications.

Modal bases of coaxial electromagnetic step index fibers

Martin Halla
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Germany
Co-Author(s):    
Abstract:
We consider the eigenvalue problem to find the modes of an electromagnetic coaxial step index fiber. More specific, we consider a closed (meaning PEC boundary conditions) cylindrical waveguide with circular cross section $\Gamma$, wave propagation modeled by the time-harmonic Maxwell`s equations with frequency $\omega$, the permeability $\mu$ and the permittivity $\epsilon$ being scalar, uniformly positive, piece-wise constant and depending only on the radial variable of the cross section. We prove that if the deviation from the homogeneous case is small, i.e., $\delta_\epsilon,\mu}:=\|\epsilon-\epsilon_0\|_{L^\infty}+\|\mu-\mu_0\|_{L^\infty}\ll1$, then the tangential electric (magnetic) fields of the modes form a Riesz basis in $\mathbf{H}_{0}(\operatorname{curl}_{\Gamma};\Gamma)$ ($\mathbf{H}(\operatorname{curl}_{\Gamma};\Gamma)$). For a constant permeability (permittivity) the Riesz basis property for the tangential electric (magnetic) fields holds also in the natural trace space $\mathbf{H}_{0}^{-1/2}(\operatorname{curl}_{\Gamma};\Gamma)$ ($\mathbf{H}^{-1/2}(\operatorname{curl}_{\Gamma};\Gamma)$). These results hold also for complex frequencies $\omega$. In addition, if $\omega\in\mathbb{R}$, then for small enough $\delta_{\epsilon,\mu}$ all wavenumbers are located on the axes and there exist no backward modes. Key tools in the analysis are a particular reformulation of the eigenvalue problem, the perturbation theory for selfadjoint operators under a local subordinate condition and uniform properties of Bessel functions. [1] Modal bases of coaxial electromagnetic step index fibers, M. Halla, arXiv:2603.16716

Autoencoder-based global concave optimization for Electrical Impedance Tomography

Bastian Harrach
Goethe University Frankfurt
Germany
Co-Author(s):    
Abstract:
We aim to derive globally convergent reconstruction algorithms for the inverse coefficient problem of Electrical Impedance Tomography (aka the famous Calder\`on problem) and its application in lung imaging. Our main tool is to reformulate the problem as a concave semidefinite minimization problem. This allows to construct a globally convergent EIT reconstruction algorithm that is computationally feasible for a moderately low number of unknowns. We then combine this approach with the recent data-driven observation that realistic lung images lie on a nonlinear manifold that is much lower dimensional than the space of all possible images. Variational autoencoder techniques can be used to learn such a low-dimensional parametrization, but a standard out-of-the-box autoencoder would destroy the concavity properties of the reconstruction problem. Hence, we show how to adjust the autoencoder training process in such a way that concavity (and thus global convergence of the final reconstruction strategy) is preserved.

The domain derivative for the reconstruction of the shape of obstacles in nonlinear scattering problems

Frank Hettlich
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology / Institute for Applied and Numerical Mathematics
Germany
Co-Author(s):    Frank Hettlich
Abstract:
The reconstruction of the shape of scattering objects from the knowledge of the far field pattern of scattered electromagnetic waves is a challenging problem in inverse scattering theory. Several approaches to such severely ill-posed problems are discussed in the past in case of linear scattering models. But for scattering objects given by nonlinear media or nonlinear boundary conditions much less is known. As a recent contribution we discuss the dependence of scattered waves on perturbations of the shape of such scattering object. This leads to a shape derivative, the so called domain derivative, of solutions of the underlying partial differential equations. We show existence and certain characterizations of these derivatives in case of nonlinear boundary value problems. Additionally, based on the given characterization of the domain derivative an all-at-once Newton-type regularization method is suggested for solving the inverse reconstruction problem in case of far field data from just one incident field. The numerical performance of such a scheme is illustrated by some numerical examples.

Wave propagation in a waveguide filled with hyperbolic media

Maryna Kachanovska
POEMS, INRIA
France
Co-Author(s):    Dylan Machado
Abstract:
We study wave propagation in a waveguide with local geometric perturbations filled with a cold, strongly magnetized plasma, modeled by the 2D Maxwell equations with a current term. The corresponding frequency-domain model reduces to a Helmholtz equation with frequency-dependent coefficients, namely \begin{align*} \partial_y^2 u+(1-\frac{\omega_p^2}{\omega^2})^{-1}\partial_x^2 u+\omega^2 u =0, \end{align*} where $\omega>0$ is a given frequency and $\omega_p>0$ is the plasma frequency. The main difficulty stems from the fact that the principal symbol of the underlying operator becomes hyperbolic for frequencies not exceeding the plasma frequency. Our goal is to understand the behavior of the viscosity limits of this problem. We prove a limiting absorption principle for a class of geometric perturbations, based on the behavior of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operators and on techniques used in the analysis of time-dependent problems. Next, we give a meaning to a time-harmonic problem that is reminiscent of the wave equation with boundary conditions at the initial and final times. If time permits, we discuss the construction of the numerical methods used to simulate this type of problem, in particular perfectly matched layers.

Nonvariational solutions of boundary value problems for the Helmholtz equation in multiply connected domains

Massimo Lanza de Cristoforis
Dipartimento di Matematica `Tullio Levi-Civita`
Italy
Co-Author(s):    
Abstract:
We consider a possibly multiply connected bounded open subset $\Omega$ of ${\mathbb{R}}^n$ of class $C^{1,\alpha}$, $\alpha\in]0,1[$ and we plan to solve classical boundary value problems for the Helmholtz equation in $\Omega$ and in the exterior of $\Omega$ in terms of acoustic layer potentials. The main focus of the talk is on $\alpha$-H\{o}lder continuous solutions which may not have a classical normal derivative at the boundary points of $\Omega$ and that may have an infinite Dirichlet integral around the boundary of $\Omega$. Namely for solutions that do not belong to the classical variational setting.

Maxwell`s Equations and its Real Relatives

Rainer Picard
TU Dresden, Institute for Analysis
Germany
Co-Author(s):    Rainer Picard, Sascha Trostorff, Marcus Waurick
Abstract:
We recall the concept of evo-systems and illustrate their utility for unifying different fields in mathematical physics and engineering. The Maxwell system and its (possibly surprising) relatives are a particular topic of interest. We shall be discussing various classical systems of partial differential equations of classical mathematical physics emphasizing a setup in a real Hilbert space setting. As a byproduct the common perception that modern physics appears to be entangled with complex numbers will turn out to be slightly misleading.

Extremal problems for symmetric functions of the first three Maxwell eigenvalues

Rebecca Sempio
Universit`a di Padova
Italy
Co-Author(s):    Pier Domenico Lamberti, Luigi Provenzano
Abstract:
It is known that the Faber-Krahn inequality does not hold for Maxwell eigenvalues: regardless of whether a volume or a perimeter constraint is imposed, the ball does not minimize the first eigenvalue. Notably, the first eigenvalue in the ball has multiplicity three. Motivated by this observation, as well as by a criticality result established by P.D. Lamberti and M. Zaccaron in 2021, we investigate symmetric functions of the first three Maxwell eigenvalues and discuss their potential minimization properties under suitable geometric constraints. This work is based on a joint collaboration with Pier Domenico Lamberti and Luigi Provenzano.

Perturbation of an electrostatic potential by a biaxially anisotropic cylinder

Eric Stachura
Kennesaw State University
USA
Co-Author(s):    Akhlesh Lakhtakia
Abstract:
We study the boundary-value problem for the perturbation of an electrostatic potential by an infinitely long, homogeneous, biaxially anisotropic dielectric cylinder in vacuum. An affine coordinate transformation is used to convert the problem for the internal potential into one into the standard Laplace equation, and inversion of this transformation provides a series representation for the internal potential. We obtain explicit formulas for a uniaxial dielectric cylinder with distinguished axis either parallel or perpendicular to the cylinder axis. Numerical results show that the methodology is stable even for very high degrees of anisotropy and that the degree of anisotropy of the cylinder affects the spatial variations of the potential in both the external and internal regions. This is joint work with A. Lakhtakia (Penn State).

Foldy-Lax T-matrix schemes in direct and inverse multiple scattering

Nikolaos L. Tsitsas
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Greece
Co-Author(s):    Andreas Kalogeropoulos and Nikolaos L. Tsitsas
Abstract:
The Foldy-Lax method is a robust technique for solving direct multiple scattering problems. In this work, by combining the T-Matrix approach and the Sommerfeld`s decomposition method, we modify the Foldy-Lax method to solve inverse scattering problems related to the spherical-wave excitation of a dielectric medium surrounded by a cluster of point-like PEC scatterers. Combining the Foldy-Lax method with the recently established Overall Superposition Method, the multiple scattering problem is reduced to a problem of a single scatterer excited by an ensemble of dipoles. In this way, schemes for the determination of the unknown fields of the point-like scatterers are devised by means of the T-Matrix approach. The energy transfer process, the behavior of the involved energy and flux and the performance of the proposed schemes are analyzed numerically.

Bending and twisting of electromagnetic waveguides

Michele Zaccaron
ENSTA Paris
France
Co-Author(s):    Philippe Briet, Maxence Cassier, Thomas Ourmi\`{e}res-Bonafos
Abstract:
Consider a reference homogeneous and isotropic electromagnetic waveguide with a simply connected cross-section embedded in a perfect conductor. In this setting, when the waveguide is straight, the spectrum of the associated self-adjoint Maxwell operator with a constant twist (which may be zero) is entirely essential, lies on the real line and is symmetric with respect to zero, exhibiting a gap around the origin. In this talk, we present new results on the effects of the geometric deformations of bending and twisting on the spectrum of the Maxwell operator. More precisely, we provide, on the one hand, sufficient conditions on the asymptotic behaviour of the curvature and twist of a perturbed waveguide ensuring the preservation of the essential spectrum. Our approach relies on a Birman-Schwinger-type principle which has an interest of its own. On the other hand, we give sufficient conditions, involving in particular the shape of the cross-section, so that the geometrical deformation creates discrete spectrum within the gap, and give some insight into its localization. Finally, we show some theoretical and numerical results further investigating the sufficient condition involving the geometry of the cross-section.

Homogenization and 3D-2D dimension reduction of a functional on manifold valued functional spaces.

Elvira Zappale
Department of Basic and Applied Sciences for Engineering, Sapienza - University of Rome
Italy
Co-Author(s):    Michela Eleuteri, Luca Lussardi, Andrea Torricelli and Joseph Dongo, Joel Fotso Tachago, Frank Tchinda
Abstract:
Simultaneous dimensional reduction and homogenization is rigorously obtained for integral functionals defined on the manifold constrained Orlicz-Sobolev and BV spaces. The results find application in the study of equilibria for liquid crystals, in ferromagnetism or for magnetostrictive materials where the order parameters take their values into a given manifold.

Dismantling Dimensional Barriers: The Sliced Spectral Framework for Periodic Elliptic Operators

Ruming Zhang
Technical University of Berlin
Germany
Co-Author(s):    Ruming Zhang
Abstract:
The study of the limiting absorption principle for elliptic equations with periodic structures is very challenging when the dimension is greater than one . The fundamental obstacle lies in the mismatch between directional physical reality and the direction-independent classic spectral analysis, resulting in intricate geometry of band structures and Fermi surfaces in high dimensions. In this talk, we introduce the novel Sliced Spectral Analysis (SSA) framework which introduce the direction into classic spectral analysis. It dismantles the geometrical complexities by reducing the problems to its analytical essence on the one-dimensional slices. With the new SSA framework, the solution can be formulated in a semi-analytic form, which not only gives an explicit representation, but also reflects the phenomenon in physics. The new SSA approach resolves the mismatch between mathematics and physics, and also breaks the dimensional barriers. It also opens a door to a lot of further possibilities, ranging from the analysis of solutions and numerical simulations for the solutions.