Computation of propagative waves in free rail using a finite element technique

Abstract

A method is presented for the numerical computation of the wavenumbers and associated modes of the cross-section of solid waveguides. The method, based on the finite element technique, is well suited to the computation of both the propagative and the evanescent waves in a straight waveguide with an arbitrary cross-section. The solution is obtained by factorization, with the cross-section of the waveguide being modelled by numerical discretization. The dispersion curves of propagative waves in a free rail are computed by using triangular and quadrilateral "finite elements of the cross-section". The evolution of cross-section modes as the frequency increases is evaluated and discussed. © 1995 Academic Press. All rights reserved.