Nonlinear piecewise polynomial approximation beyond Besov spaces (Q1413107)

For \(0<p<\infty\), \(n\)-term (nonlinear) approximation in \(L^p\) and in two dimensions is studied, where the approximation is by piecewise polynomials and splines (e.g., Courant finite elements, but also discontinuous piecewise polynomials are used). The achieved rates of approximation are characterized by a certain family of smoothness spaces that are called B-spaces and that are generalizations of Besov spaces. The B-spaces stem from piecewise polynomials over triangulations that even allow arbitrarily sharp angles in the \(n\) triangles which are used for the \(n\)-term approximation. Especially for approximations by functions with support on such triangles with sharp angles, the Besov spaces fail to be useful. Also, the triangulations used for the nonlinear approximation are nested subsets of the plane (multilevel triangulations). Both Bernstein and Jackson estimates are established. Also approximations that attain the best rates of approximation are generated explicitly.