A new approximation technique for div-curl systems

In this paper, we describe an approximation technique for div-curl systems based in $(L^2(\Omega )^3)$ where $\Omega$ is a domain in $\mathbb {R}^3$. We formulate this problem as a general variational problem with different test and trial spaces. The analysis requires the verification of an appropriate inf-sup condition. This results in a very weak formulation where the solution space is $(L^2(\Omega ))^3$ and the data reside in various negative norm spaces. Subsequently, we consider finite element approximations based on this weak formulation. The main approach of this paper involves the development of “stable pairs" of discrete test and trial spaces. With this approach, we enlarge the test space so that the discrete inf-sup condition holds and we use a negative-norm least-squares formulation to reduce to a uniquely solvable linear system. This leads to optimal order estimates for problems with minimal regularity which is important since it is possible to construct magnetostatic field problems whose solutions have low Sobolev regularity (e.g., $(H^s(\Omega ))^3$ with $0< s< 1/2$). The resulting algebraic equations are symmetric, positive definite and well conditioned. A second approach using a smaller test space which adds terms to the form for stabilization will also be mentioned. Some numerical results are also presented.