A comparison of mesh termination schemes for 2D scattering analysis using the finite element method

When the finite element method is used for scattering problems, the outer boundary of the mesh has to be terminated appropriately so that it seems transparent to any outgoing waves. Various solutions to this problem have been developed and here three such methods are discussed and compared. These are absorbing boundary conditions, finite element boundary integral hybrid method and infinite elements. A basic two-dimensional scattering problem is used to compare these methods.