A FINITE-ELEMENT TIME-DOMAIN METHOD USING PRISM ELEMENTS FOR MICROWAVE CAVITIES

A finite-element time-domain (FETD) method for solving Maxwell's equat ions was developed by combining prism-based edge elements with central differencing in the time domain. This method solves for the electric field as a vector function of space and time in finite cylindrical cav ity geometries of arbitrary geometry. Two stability analyses of this m ethod are performed using the growth factor technique and the Z-transf orm. Furthermore, the computational complexity of the present approach is also investigated. This method has been implemented and its validi ty tested by studying the resonant frequencies of various microwave ca vities.