Geometrically Higher Order Unfitted Space-Time Methods for PDEs on Moving Domains

Abstract

In this paper, we propose new geometrically unfitted space-time finite element methods for partial differential equations posed on moving domains of higher order accuracy in space and time. As a model problem, the convection-diffusion problem on a moving domain is studied. For geometrically higher order accuracy, we apply a parametric mapping on a background space-time tensor-product mesh. Concerning discretization in time, we consider discontinuous Galerkin, as well as related continuous (Petrov–)Galerkin and Galerkin collocation methods. For stabilization with respect to bad cut configurations and as an extension mechanism that is required for the latter two schemes, a ghost penalty stabilization is employed. The article puts an emphasis on the techniques that allow us to achieve a robust but higher order geometry handling for smooth domains. We investigate the computational properties of the respective methods in a series of numerical experiments. These include studies in different dimensions for different polynomial degrees in space and time, validating the higher order accuracy in both variables.