A bicomplex finite element method for wave propagation in homogeneous media

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the advantageous applicability of the bicomplex analysis in the context of the Finite Element Method (FEM). This method can be applied for wave propagation problems in various environments. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the bicomplex number system is introduced and accordingly the differential equation for time-harmonic Maxwell’s equations in homogeneous media is derived in detail. Besides that, numerical simulations of wave propagation are performed and compared to the traditional approach based on classical FEM related to the Helmholtz equation. The appropriate error norm is investigated for different discretizations. Findings The results show that the use of bicomplex analysis in FEM leads to the higher accuracy of the electromagnetic field determination compared to the traditional Helmholtz approach. By using the bicomplex-valued formulation, the complex-valued electric and magnetic fields can be found directly and no additional FEM calculations are necessary to get the whole field. Originality/value The direct bicomplex formulation overcomes the use of the second order derivatives, which leads to the higher accuracy. In general, accurate calculations of the wave propagation in FEM is still an open problem and the approach described in this paper is a contribution to this class of problems.

The bicomplex quantum Coulomb potential problem

Generalizations of the complex number system underlying the mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics have been known for some time, but the use of the commutative ring of bicomplex numbers for that purpose is relatively new. This paper provides an analytical solution of the quantum Coulomb potential problem formulated in terms of bicomplex numbers. We define the problem by introducing a bicomplex hamiltonian operator and extending the canonical commutation relations to the form [Formula: see text], where ξ is a bicomplex number. Following Pauli’s algebraic method, we find the eigenvalues of the bicomplex hamiltonian. These eigenvalues are also obtained, along with appropriate eigenfunctions, by solving the extension of Schrödinger’s time-independent differential equation. Examples of solutions are displayed. There is an orthonormal system of solutions that belongs to a bicomplex Hilbert space.