Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze a finite element method to solve the low-frequency harmonic Maxwell equations in a bounded domain containing conductors and dielectrics. This system of partial differential equations is a model for the so-called eddy currents problem. After writing this problem in terms of the magnetic field, it is discretized by Nédélec edge finite elements on a tetrahedral mesh. Error estimates are easily obtained if the curl-free condition is imposed on the elements in the dielectric domain. Then, the curl-free condition is imposed, at a discrete level, by introducing a piecewise linear multivalued potential. The resulting problem is shown to be a discrete version of other continuous formulation in which the magnetic field in the dielectric part of the domain has been replaced by a magnetic potential. Moreover, this approach leads to an important saving in computational effort. Problems related to the topology are also considered in that the possibility of having a nonsimply connected dielectric domain is taken into account. Implementation issues are discussed, including an amenable procedure to impose the boundary conditions by means of a Lagrange multiplier. Finally, the method is applied to solve a three-dimensional model problem: a cylindrical electrode surrounded by dielectric.