A finite element method for first order elliptic systems in three dimensions (Q1094843)

The paper considers finite element approximations for boundary value problems of the type \(Lu: = Au_x + Bu_y + Cu_z = f\) in \(\Omega \subset {\mathfrak R}^3\), \(Ru = 0\) on \(\partial \Omega\), with \(u: \Omega\to 7{\mathfrak R}^{2n}\). \(A\), \(B\), \(C\) and \(R\) are matrices with smooth elements, such that \((L,R)\) is regular elliptic. \(\Omega\) is assumed to be a bounded polyhedral domain with a regular subdivision \(T_h\) into tetrahedrons. A finite element approximation \(u_h\) is obtained by solving \(\int Lu_h v = \int fv\) for a special set of test functions \(v\). As space of trial functions \(u_h\) linear finite elements over \(T_h\) satisfying the boundary conditions are used, while the test functions \(v\) are constant in one component in one tetrahedron and zero otherwise. The resulting linear algebraic system is overdetermined; it is solved by least-squares methods. The error analysis yields \(O(h)\) estimates in \(H_1\) and \(O(h_2)\) estimates in \(L_2\). Further this subdomain-collocation-least-squares method is used to solve div-curl type systems in three independent variables (which are not elliptic); it is shown that the same error estimates are valid; in addition error estimates for a least-squares finite element approximation are given.