ABSTRACT: The problem of approximating the band structure of electromagnetic Bloch modes in a three-dimensional periodic medium is studied. We analyze a mixed finite element approximation technique based on a variation of Nedelec edge elements. The usual conditions for convergence of the static problem are first verified. Subsequently, convergence of approximate eigenvalues to those of the continuous system is proved.
ACKNOWLEGEMENTS: This research was supported by NSF grant numbers DMS-9626567, DMS-9973328, DMS-0072439, AFOSR grant number F49620-98-1-0005 and Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship.