New Method Reduces Time for 3D Electromagnetic Simulations

Researchers Wouter Deleersnyder and Evert Slob have introduced a new method to enhance the efficiency of 3D time-domain electromagnetic simulations. Their paper, titled "Joining simplified physics models with coarse grids to speed-up intractable 3D time-domain simulations," was submitted on August 30, 2024, and is available on arXiv (arXiv:2408.17137).

The study addresses the significant computational resources required for full 3D modeling of time-domain electromagnetic data, which is often impractical. To tackle this issue, the authors propose a combination of a simplified one-dimensional (1D) physics model with coarse grid techniques. This approach aims to reduce modeling errors while avoiding the need for comprehensive 3D simulations.

In their findings, the researchers demonstrate that their method can decrease computation time by a factor of 27, making it a viable alternative to traditional surrogate models derived from extensive 3D datasets. The study also highlights that the modeling error is influenced by specific subsurface characteristics, such as electrical conductivity and the angle of deviation from the 1D assumption.

This advancement could have significant implications for geophysics and related fields, where rapid and accurate modeling of subsurface conditions is essential. The authors suggest that their approach could be particularly beneficial in scenarios where quick decision-making is required based on electromagnetic data analysis.