Application of the integral definition of the curl operator tonumerical solutions in electromagnetics

The definition of the curl operator in terms of an integral is shown to lead to a method for numerical solutions that facilitates the use of mixtures of cells having different shapes and different dielectric properties. The derivation is followed by examples for, waveguides, mixtures of different cells, and a method for increasing the accuracy when an equation is known for the field on the outer boundary. Thus, these results suggest that the formal definition of the curl operator has more than pedagogical value. This definition is taught in an undergraduate class at Florida International University