Solution of the MFIE using curl-conforming basis functions

The edge elements widely used with the vector Helmholtz equation are known as curl-conforming functions, since they exhibit a bounded curl. That operator involves the curl of the field under consideration. In two dimensions, the divergence-conforming RWG functions and the curl-conforming edge elements are closely related: one is the cross-product of the other with a normal vector to the two-dimensional surface. While much attention has been directed toward solutions of the EFIE, less attention has been paid to the tangential-field MFIE. The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of curl-conforming bases for use with the MFIE.