Hybrid finite element and boundary element method applied to electromagnetic problems

The author describes a novel boundary-element discretization scheme in the hybrid finite-element/boundary-element method, using a mixed linear and constant boundary element. A novel boundary-element vector potential formulation is presented, together with another formulation in terms of the magnetic field intensity and the magnetic scalar potential. Several practical applications of the method to electromagnetic field problems are presented. Besides the ordinary two-dimensional, axially symmetrical, and three-dimensional magnetic field problems, the two-semi-infinite-regions problem is investigated. The integration in the boundary-element method for this problem has integrating paths as far as infinity. Results of the hybrid method in which the integration path to infinity is cancelled out are also presented