Perfectly matched layers as nonlinear coordinate transforms: a generalized formalization

A modified formulation of Maxwell's equations is presented that includes a complex and nonlinear coordinate transform along one or two Cartesian coordinates. The added degrees of freedom in the modified Maxwell's equations allow one to map an infinite space to a finite space and to specify graded perfectly matched absorbing boundaries that allow the outgoing wave condition to be satisfied. The approach is validated by numerical results obtained by using Fourier-modal methods and shows enhanced convergence rate and accuracy. (c) 2005 Optical Society of America.