Block pseudospectral methods for Maxwell's equations - II: Two-dimensional, discontinuous-coefficient case

Block pseudospectral (BPS) methods are examined for Maxwell's equations in two-dimensional inhomogeneous media. For the case of a rectangular strip wi th a straight-line interface, blocks may be coupled via fictitious points o r a generalization of characteristic outflow conditions. The BPS methods ge neralize to curvilinear strips described by a change of variables. Such str ips can conform to interfaces while overlapping with a high-order free-spac e grid to form a composite grid method. Numerical experiments on strips wit h dielectrics, lossy materials, perfect conductors, and absorbing layers in dicate that the two coupling methods are comparable and accurate with just 3-4 points per wavelength. Full composite examples are included to demonstr ate high accuracy and geometric flexibility.