Modified Representations for the Close Evaluation Problem

When using boundary integral equation methods, we represent solutions of a linear partial differential equation as layer potentials. It is well-known that the approximation of layer potentials using quadrature rules suffer from poor resolution when evaluated closed to (but not on) the boundary. To address this challenge, we provide modified representations of the problem’s solution. Similar to Gauss’s law used to modify Laplace’s double-layer potential, we use modified representations of Laplace’s single-layer potential and Helmholtz layer potentials that avoid the close evaluation problem. Some techniques have been developed in the context of the representation formula or using interpolation techniques. We provide alternative modified representations of the layer potentials directly (or when only one density is at stake). Several numerical examples illustrate the efficiency of the technique in two and three dimensions.

On superconvergence of Runge–Kutta convolution quadrature for the wave equation

The semidiscretization of a sound soft scattering problem modelled by the wave equation is analyzed. The spatial treatment is done by integral equation methods. Two temporal discretizations based on Runge–Kutta convolution quadrature are compared: one relies on the incoming wave as input data and the other one is based on its temporal derivative. The convergence rate of the latter is shown to be higher than previously established in the literature. Numerical results indicate sharpness of the analysis. The proof hinges on a novel estimate on the Dirichlet-to-Impedance map for certain Helmholtz problems. Namely, the frequency dependence can be lowered by one power of $$\left| s\right| $$ s (up to a logarithmic term for polygonal domains) compared to the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map.