Abstract
The application of the finite element method in electromagnetics is reviewed. The emphasis is on formulations of 3D electromagnetic problems that are suitable for finite-element analysis and difficulties that have been encountered, such as spurious modes and gauging of vector potentials. Following an introduction to scalar and vector finite elements and a discussion of techniques for handling unbounded domains, the three main areas of application ape covered: magnetic fields, electric fields, and electromagnetic waves. In the analysis of magnetic fields, the various possible potential formulations are explained and compared; magnetic material models are reviewed; and force calculation techniques are summarized. For electric fields complications arise when the relationship between electric field and charge movement is not simple: several different cases are considered. Electromagnetic wave problems are of two types: eigenvalue (resonant cavities and waveguides) and deterministic (radiation and scattering). The principle difficulty here is the occurrence of spurious (non-physical) modes, which can affect both types of problem. The reasons for spurious modes and the available remedies are outlined.
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