Predicting scattering of electromagnetic fields using FD-TD on a Connection Machine

The finite difference-time domain (FD-TD) numerical technique for solving Maxwell´s equations is mapped onto a massively parallel single-instruction, multiple-data (SIMD) architecture, the Connection Machine. The fundamental FD-TD algorithm is decomposed into its serial and parallel segments. Connection Machine implementation is discussed in detail, covering processor assignment, processor utilization, run time, problem size, and future directions. The results suggest that parallel codes are capable of exceeding lattice sizes and executing faster than even Cray-based codes for lattices optimally matched to the Connection Machines memory