Convergence of the infinite element methods for the Helmholtz equation in separable domains (Q1385121)

The infinite element method for the Helmholtz equation in exterior domain, which describes the radiation or scattering problems in acoustics, is investigated. The Helmholtz equation is accompanied by the Sommerfeld radiation condition at the point \(\infty\) and an appropriate boundary condition on the boundary of the domain. The convergence analysis for the Neumann boundary condition corresponding to rigid scattering problems in acoustics and the entire discussion for other boundary conditions are given. The approximation applies to separable geometries only, combining an arbitrary finite element discretization on the boundary of the domain with a spectral-like approximation in the radial direction, with shape functions resulting from the separable variables. The principal idea of the presented analysis is based on the spectral decomposition of the problem.