Monte Carlo field calculations

Abstract

The paper is concerned with a method of calculating potentials and fields that is particularly suited to engineering problems with complicated 3-dimensional geometries. The method solves Laplace's equation numerically using a floating random-walk technique. The efficiency of the basic method can be improved substantially by some simple generalisations, and potential gradients can be calculated directly, as well as the potentials themselves. Examples are given of problems that have arisen in high-voltage engineering for which the potentials and fields have been calculated using a computer program based on the generalised method.