An application of the boundary element method to the magnetic field integral equation

A boundary element method (BEM) for the solution of electromagnetic scattering problems using the magnetic field integral equation (MFIE) is discussed. The discretized form of the MFIE is written in indicial notation with no limitations placed on the order of either the geometric or functional approximation. By considering several different types of boundary elements, it is determined that geometric errors can be significant and degrade the accuracy of the numerical solution. It is shown that a higher-order approximation for the current could significantly improve the accuracy of the numerical solution. The superparametric boundary element in which the geometry was given quadratic approximation and the current was given linear approximation was more efficient than elements using lower-order approximations. The BEM results are compared to the results obtained using the dielectric bodies of revolution (DBR) code.>