Use of Whitney's edge and face elements for efficient finite element time domain solution of Maxwell's equations

In this paper, a new Finite Element Time Domain (FETD) solution algorithm, that uses Whitney's edge and face elements for the representation of the electric and magnetic fields is presented for the direct solution of Maxwell's equations. The accuracy and computational efficiency of the algorithm are discussed and illustrative numerical results are presented for a cavity problem. The method itself is equally well applicable to open region problems when employed in conjunction with the appropriate absorbing boundary conditions.