PINNs for Solving Unsteady Maxwell's Equations: Convergence Issues and Comparative Assessment with Compact Schemes

Abstract

Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) have recently emerged as a promising alternative for solving partial differential equations, offering a mesh-free framework that incorporates physical laws directly into the learning process. In this study, we explore the application of PINNs for solving unsteady Maxwell's equations and compare their performance with two established numerical methods: the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method and a compact Pade scheme with filtering. Three benchmark problems are considered, ranging from 1D free-space wave propagation to 2D Gaussian pulses in periodic and dielectric media. We assess the effectiveness of convergence-enhancing strategies for PINNs, including random Fourier features, spatio-temporal periodicity, and temporal causality training. An ablation study highlights that architectural choices must align with the underlying physics. Additionally, we employ a Neural Tangent Kernel framework to examine the spatio-temporal convergence behavior of PINNs. Results show that convergence rates correlate with error over time but not in space, revealing a limitation in how training dynamics allocate learning effort. Overall, this study demonstrates that PINNs, when properly configured, can match or surpass traditional solvers in accuracy and flexibility, though challenges remain in addressing spatial inhomogeneity and adapting training to localized complexity.