3-D Numerical Modeling for the Magnetization of Superconductors Using a Local Discontinuous Galerkin Finite Element Method

Abstract

A numerical methodology is proposed to discretize a nonlinear low-frequency approximation to Maxwell’s equations using a local discontinuous Galerkin (DG) finite element method, with an upwind-like numerical flux, for modeling superconductors. In this paper, we focus on high-temperature superconductors (HTS) and the electrical resistivity is modeled using a power law. Nodal elements and the Whitney element are used. Numerical studies have been performed to verify the proposed methodology: a problem with a manufactured solution, the nonlinear magnetic front problem, and the magnetization of HTS wires. Based on the final time that can be reached for a given time-step size, the proposed strategy is compared with the $\mathbf {H}$ formulation discretized using the Galerkin finite element method with the Whitney element for the magnetic front problem. The proposed local DG strategy allows the use of a larger time-step size over a longer time interval, particularly, when we use the Whitney element. The proposed methodology can also capture sharp gradients of the current density with limited spurious oscillations. The numerical results are in agreement with Bean’s model for large values of power-law’s exponent. The proposed local DG strategy could be generalized to more complex electrical resistivity models, including multiphysics models.