The finite element method (FEM) and its hybrid versions (finite element-boundary integral, finite element-absorbing boundary condition, finitie element-mode matching, etc.) is one of the most successful  frequency domain computational methods for low and high frequency electromagnetic simulations. From its earlier introduction for electrical machjine modeling, its applications now cover antennas, microwave circuits, propagation and large scale scattering from non-metallic structures.

Many popular electromagnetic simulation packages employ the finite element method and its hybrid versions for robust and adaptable modeling.  This book covers the theory, development, implementation and application of the finite element method and its hybrid versions to electromagnetics. It gives a systematic and step-by-step presentation and can be used either as a first year graduate level text or as a reference for engineers and scientists interested in computational electromagnetics. As one reviewer noted, "this book brings FEM down to earth for the student.... and its thoroughness...will help the researcher judge the best methods to use for particular classes of analysis problems."

Covered Topics Include:
1. Integral and differential field representations with relevant introduction to basic theory
2. Galerkin and Ritz method for numerical solution
3. One and two dimensional theory and applications with worked out examples and sample MATLAB codes.
4. An up to date guide to elements and shape functions
5. Three dimensional theory and extensive applications using edge elements for open and closed domain problems
6. Mesh truncation schemes (ABCs, boundary integral and artificial absorbers)
7. Efficient implementation of finite element codes using sparse storage schemes
8. Experience in porting finite element codes on parallel computers
9. Iterative solvers (BCG, CGS, QMR, GMRES, etc) and their implementation
10. Many eigenvalue, scattering, microwave circuits and antenna parameter computations
11. Fast algorithms for boundary integral equations
12. Access to 3D sample FORTRAN codes via the web
 

John L. Volakis  is a Professor in the Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Univ of Michigan. He received his Ph.D. from Ohio State University  in 1982 and spent two years at Rockwell International working on the B-1B program before going to Michigan.  He has 20 years of experience in numerical and analytical methods.  His publications include over 140 refereed journal articles, 12 book chapters on anlytical and numerical methods, and numerous conference articles. He also co-authored the book Approximate Boundary Conditions in Electromagnetics  (Institute of Electrical Engineers Press, 1995). Volakis is a Fellow of the IEEE and has advised over 20 Ph.D. students. He has served as an Associate Editor to IEEE Trans. on Antennas and Propagation and Radio Science. Currently he is an Associate Editor for the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Magazine and the J. Electromagnetic Waves and Applications.

Arindam Chatterjee  obtained his Ph.D. from the Univ of Michigan in 1994. From 1989-94, he served as a Research Assistant and later as a Research Fellow in the Radiation Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His work there dealt with the development, implementation and application of the finite element method and absorbing boundary conditions in modeling electromagnetic radiation and scattering from arbitrary 3D structures. From 1995-96 he worked at Compact Software. He is presently with the HP-EEsof division of Hewlett Packard and works on the development of the HP HFSS (High Frequency Structure Simulator) finite element modeling package for CAD simulation.

Leo C. Kempel  is a Senior Research Engineer in Mission Research Corporation's Electromagnetic Observables Sector.  He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1994.   In addition to conducting research on scattering reduction, Dr. Kempel developed the finite element-boundary integral method for singly-curved structures and modeled conformal antennas with complex material loading using the FEM. His current interest has expanded to antennas on doubly-curved conformal platforms,  modeling of anisotropic substrate and to developing novel hybridization strategies designed to marry the best properties of the finite element method with other computational electromagnetics methods such as integral equations or physical optics.