Daniele Boffi (Pavia. Italy)

Edge finite elements: from Maxwell equations to photonic crystals

Abstract

In this talk, after a short review of the main tools used for the rigorous convergence analysis of the edge finite element approximation of electromagnetism problems, we show that a suitable modification of such tools applies to the analysis of the finite element approximation of the so-called band gaps of the dielectric photonic crystals. These are devices which prevent the propagation of electromagnetic waves at certain characteristic frequencies. For this property, the photonic crystals are of great interest for their potential applications to optical communications, filters, laser, microwaves.