A finite element method for first order elliptic systems in three dimensions

Abstract We consider finite element approximation schemes for boundary value problems for linear first order elliptic systems in three dimensions. We also discuss div-curl type systems in three independent variables. Both a least squares method and a new subdomain-collocation-least-squares method are considered. The analysis yield optimal asymptotic H 1 (Ω) and L 2 (Ω) error estimates.