Finite element exterior calculus

Summary

Finite element exterior calculus is a framework for designing and analysing finite element methods with the tools of differential forms and de Rham cohomology. It was developed by Douglas Arnold, Richard Falk and Ragnar Winther. Its central idea is that finite element spaces should form a subcomplex of the de Rham complex, with projections that commute with the exterior derivative. Such spaces give stable mixed finite element methods for the Hodge Laplacian and explain many earlier elements in one theory. See the definition.