A 3D finite element method for the modelling of bounded and unbounded electromagnetic problems in the time domain

This paper presents a 3D body-conforming finite element solution of the tim e-dependent vector wave equation. The method uses edge elements on tetrahed ra for the electric field interpolation. This kind of element is suited to model Maxwell's equations since it only enforces tangential continuity of v ector fields. For the discretization of time derivatives we use the Newmark method, which allows obtaining an unconditionally stable scheme with secon d-order accuracy. The Silver-Muller absorbing boundary condition is employe d for the domain truncation in unbounded problems. Numerical results for so me examples are provided to validate the presented method. Copyright (C) 20 00 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.