Mur-Nedelec finite element schemes for Maxwell's equations

We study mapped mass-lumped edge elements for approximating a three-dimensi onal scattering problem. The elements are mapped Mur-Nedelec second kind el ements and the scheme is designed to handle anisotropic, inhomogeneous scat terers with moderately complicated geometry. A novel aspect of the scheme i s the use of an unusual choice of the magnetic field finite element that re sults in a very efficient discrete curl operator. Using a non-standard disp ersion analysis, we show that the phase accuracy of the cubic edge element does not deteriorate disastrously when the mesh is deformed. Our numerical experiments tin two dimensions) confirm that the scheme performs well on a distorted mesh and that it is efficient compared to the standard Yee scheme . (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.