Edge-based finite element analysis of singly- and doubly-periodic scatterers using absorbing and periodic boundary conditions

The versatility of the finite element and finite difference techniques in modeling complex material geometries and the ease of code development make them attractive choices for analyzing many configurations of practical interest. In this paper we describe our efforts in developing an edge-based FE code using a simple finite element mesh consisting of orthogonal but nonuniform bricks to predict the scattering characteristics of both periodic and aperiodic structures. Useful insights into the power and weakness of the FE method, gained during the course of our numerical experiments, are provided. While the ABC-based FE method is conceptually simple, to-date its application to the analysis of periodic structures has not been reported in the literature.