Finite volume element method for two-dimensional fractional subdiffusion problems

Abstract

In this paper, a semi-discrete spatial finite volume (FV) method is proposed and analyzed for approximating solutions of anomalous subdiffusion equations involving a temporal fractional derivative of order $\alpha \in (0,1)$ in a two-dimensional convex polygonal domain. Optimal error estimates in $L^\infty(L^2)$- norm is shown to hold. Superconvergence result is proved and as a consequence, it is established that quasi-optimal order of convergence in $L^{\infty}(L^{\infty})$ holds. We also consider a fully discrete scheme that employs FV method in space, and a piecewise linear discontinuous Galerkin method to discretize in temporal direction. It is, further, shown that convergence rate is of order $O(h^2+k^{1+\alpha}),$ where $h$ denotes the space discretizing parameter and $k$ represents the temporal discretizing parameter. Numerical experiments indicate optimal convergence rates in both time and space, and also illustrate that the imposed regularity assumptions are pessimistic.