On equilibrium finite elements in three-dimensional case (Q1265625)

The paper introduces an interior finite element approximation of the space of solenoidal vector functions with vanishing boundary flux in a class of three-dimensional bounded domains. This space plays an important role in many problems of continuum mechanics and electromagnetism. The main theorem establishes how to characterize divergence-free functions by means of the operator curl. Its proof is based on the Fourier transform. The author shows how to generate basis functions with small supports in the space of equilibrium finite elements.