Comments, on `Three-dimensional finite, boundary, and hybridelement solutions of the Maxwell equations for lossy dielectric media'[and reply]

For the original article see ibid., vol.36, no.4, p.682-93 (1988). The commenters point out a potential source of error with the finite-element analysis of the vector wave equation in the paper of K.D. Paulsen, et al. Specifically, this error source is connected with the finding that, if spurious modes exist in the finite-element solution of the eigenvalue problem, the corresponding solution to the externally driven problem may consist of some linear combination of the nonphysical spurious modes in addition to the physical modes. In replying, the author acknowledges the importance of the question of spurious modes