A fast two-grid and finite section method for a class of integral equations on the real line with application to an acoustic scattering problem in the half-plane (Q1849717)

The numerical treatment of second kind integral equations on the real line \[ \varphi(s)=\psi(s)+\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty}k(s-t)z(t)\varphi(t) dt,\quad s\in \mathbb{R}, \] is considered where \(k\in L_1(\mathbb{R}),z\in L_{\infty}(\mathbb{R})\)\ and \(\psi\in BC(\mathbb{R})\) (bounded continuous functions on \(\mathbb{R}\)). \(\varphi\) is the unknown function. A sharp error estimate for the finite section approximation is derived. The numerical solution by a simple discrete collocation method on a uniform grid on \(\mathbb{R}\) is analysed. The case when \(z\)\ is compactly supported leads to a coefficient matrix allowing a rapid matrix vector multiplication by the fast Fourier transform and a modified two-grid iteration is used. If \(z\)\ is not compactly supported a finite section and a two-grid algorithm are used. As an application an acoustic scattering problem is presented. An error estimate of the numerical solution is given.