Frequency and time domain electromagnetic scattering simulations employing higher order edge elements

Finite elements are often used for electromagnetic scattering simulations where the main goal is the accurate predicting of the radar cross section or scattering width output. Edge element discretizations are popular as they are known to eliminate the problems of spurious modes and allow the easy implementation of boundary conditions and material interfaces. This work employs a technique which uses higher order edge elements for scattering problems set in both the frequency and time domains, in three- and two-dimensions, respectively. Such approximations are attractive as they are known to give a higher level of accuracy for a given number of degrees of freedom, when compared to lower order approximations. Appropriate solution techniques are proposed for the system of linear equations which arises in each case. Numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedures.