Abstract

The mixed problem for the Helmholtz equation in the exterior of several bodies (obstacles) is studied in 2 and 3 dimensions. The Dirichlet boundary condition is given on some obstacles and the impedance boundary condition is specified on the rest. The problem is investigated by a special modification of the boundary integral equation method. This modification can be called ‘Method of interior boundaries’, because additional boundaries are introduced inside scattering bodies, where impedance boundary condition is given. The solution of the problem is obtained in the form of potentials on the whole boundary. The density in the potentials satisfies the uniquely solvable Fredholm equation of the second kind and can be computed by standard codes. In fact our method holds for any positive wave numbers. The Neumann, Dirichlet, impedance problems and mixed Dirichlet–Neumann problem are particular cases of our problem.