Mixed-Field Finite-Element Computations

A new method called the Direct Method is developed to solve for the propagating modes in waveguides via the finite-element method. The variational form of the Direct method is derived to ensure that an extremum is reached. The Direct method uses Maxwell's equations directly, both zero and first-order, scalar and vector bases that are used in the finite-element formulation. The direct solution method solves for both the magnetic and electric fields simultaneously. Comparisons are made with the traditionally used vector-Helmholtz equation set. The advantages and disadvantages of the newly developed method is described as well as several results displayed using the WR-90 waveguide and a circular waveguide as test waveguides. Results include a partially filled dielectric loaded rectangular waveguide. The effects of including the divergence of the fields in the functional as penalty terms on the quality of results obtained by the Direct method and the vector-Helmholtz method is explored. The quality of results is gauged on the accuracy of the computed modes as well as the elimination or a significant reduction in the number of 'spurious modes' that are often encountered in solutions to waveguide problems. It is shown that computational time for the solution and computer storage requirements exceed the typically used Helmholtz equation method but the results obtained can be more accurate. Future work may include developing a sparse eigenvalue solution method that could reduce the solution time and storage requirements significantly. The Direct method of solution in dynamics resulted after an initial search in magnetostatics for methods to solve for the magnetic field without using the magnetic-vector potential using finite-element methods. A variational derivation that includes the boundary conditions is developed for the magnetic-vector potential method. Several techniques that were used to attempt accurate solutions for the magnetostatic fields with multiple materials and without the use of the magnetic-vector potential are described. It was found that some of the newly developed general techniques for magnetostatics are only accurate when homogeneous media are present. A method using two curl equations is developed which is a Direct method in magnetostatics and reveals the interaction between the bases used. The transition from magnetostatics to dynamics is made and similar Direct methods are applied to the waveguide problem using different bases.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Sitapati, Kartik

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Davis, William A.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Safaai-Jazi, Ahmad
• Brown, Gary S.
• Johnson, Lee W.
• Scales, Wayne A.

• Finite-Elements
• Helmholtz
• Waveguides
• Direct Methods

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-06152004-152800

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/11195