Application of finite elements to the solution of Helmholtz´s equation

A novel method, that of finite elements, for the solution of Helmholtz´s equation is suggested. Various 2- and 3-dimensional problems are solved using this method, and the results are compared with more conventional techniques, particularly the finite-difference method, which it may be regarded to supersede. The ease with which various boundary conditions may be handled is discussed and illustrated. Nonhomogeneous configurations present no difficulty, nor do they require any special formulation. There is considerable scope for the further development of the technique, which has, until now, been applied mainly to the solution of Laplace or Poisson equations.