Comparison of magnetic vector and total scalar potential formulations for finite-element modeling of dipole magnet with COMSOL Multiphysics

Abstract: Finite-element simulations of magnetostatic fields are performed in terms of magnetic vector and total scalar potentials and compared for purpose of modeling the accelerator magnets. The potentials represent the unknown variables associated with the A and V formulations of magnetostatics to describe the magnetic fields. The simulations are carried out with a single software package, the COMSOL Multiphysics, where both formulations are implemented. The numerical performance of these methods is illustrated with the model example of a superconducting dipole magnet recently developed for operation in the isochronous cyclotron SC200. The results of calculations are analyzed and compared in terms of the relevant FEM parameters accounting for performance of computation as well as the computational cost. We show in particular that the use of scalar potential as compared to its vector counterpart substantially reduces the number of degrees of freedom, the usage of computer memory and the computational time for a similar relative error.