Programming finite element method based hysteresis loss computation software using non-linear superconductor resistivity andT− ϕ formulation

Due to the rapid development of personal computers from the beginning of the 1990s, it has become a reality to simulate current penetration, and thus hysteresis losses, in superconductors with other than very simple one-dimensional (1D) Bean model computations or Norris formulae. Even though these older approaches are still usable, they do not consider, for example, multifilamentary conductors, local critical current dependency on magnetic field or varying n -values. Currently, many numerical methods employing different formulations are available. The problem of hysteresis losses can be scrutinized via an eddy current formulation of the classical theory of electromagnetism. The difficulty of the problem lies in the non-linear resistivity of the superconducting region. The steep transition between the superconducting and the normal states often causes convergence problems for the most common finite element method based programs. The integration methods suffer from full system matrices and, thus, restrict the number of elements to a few thousands at most. The so-called T − φ formulation and the use of edge elements, or more precisely Whitney 1-forms, within the finite element method have proved to be a very suitable method for hysteresis loss simulations of different geometries. In this paper we consider making such finite element method software from first steps, employing differential geometry and forms.