Optimal \(H^1\) spatial convergence of a fully discrete finite element method for the time-fractional Allen-Cahn equation (Q2216610)

In this paper, optimal-rate convergence of the solution in the \(H^1\) seminorm is proved for the time-fractional Allen-Cahn equation. To handle the weak singularity in the solution, the fractional time derivative is discretized with the \(L_1\) scheme on a graded temporal mesh. The cubic nonlinear term of the Allen-Cahn equation is linearized with Newton's method at each time step. The spatial derivatives are discretized with the standard finite element method. Numerical results confirm the theoretical optimal convergence rates.