A study of some multigrid ideas (Q1085954)

This paper studies some questions related to the multigrid approach to the solution of elliptic partial differential equations. In order to standardize and simplify matters, a model problem \(-(pu')'+bu'+qu=0\), \(u(0)=u(1)=0\) is considered throughout. In terms of this two-point boundary value problem, estimates are made of the quality of the method for various choices that are available. In particular, if m Jacobi iterations with damping parameter a are used in the ''smoothing'' steps of the method, then a rate of convergence can be analysed for this choice. In the two-grid case this rate can be found exactly and in the general multigrid case, an upper bound can be found. The theoretical conclusions are complemented by numerical investigations for a number of special choices within the model problem.