Analysis of exponential time-differencing for fdtd in lossy dielectrics

We determine the stability condition and analyze the accuracy of the exponential and centered time-differencing schemes for finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) in an isotropic, homogeneous lossy dielectric with electric and magnetic conductivities σ and σ*, respectively. We show that these schemes are equivalent and determine that, for accuracy, both schemes must be used with a time step that finely resolves the electric and magnetic conduction current relaxation time scales. The implications of these results for perfectly matched layer (PML)type absorbing boundary conditions are discussed.