Which potential. A comparison of the various scalar and vector potentials for the numerical solution of the non-linear poisson problem

This paper summarises the formulation and results of a study aimed at deciding which potential definition to select for constructing a set of computer algorithms for the non-linear Poissonian field problem. The two dimensional Magnetostatic case is used in this investigation and solutions are presented for shielding and motor problems. Of the four potentials considered the choice of a double scalar potential appears to offer the most attractive formulation for extension to three dimensions. The report contains results for the first part of an on-going study which is ultimately to develop an efficient full three dimensional non-linear field computer program. (author)