An \(\alpha \)-robust finite element method for a multi-term time-fractional diffusion problem (Q2226267)

A new improved error analysis of the scheme [\textit{C.Huang} and \textit{M. Stynes}, J. Sci. Comput. 82, No. 1, Paper No. 10, 17 p. (2020; Zbl 1447.65078)], finite difference in time and finite element in space, is presented to solve the multi-term time-fractional initial-boundary value problem \[ \sum_{i=1}^lq_iD_i^{\alpha_i}u(x,t) - \Delta u(x,t) = f, \] where each \(D_i^{\alpha_i}\) is a Caputo derivative with \( 0<\alpha_1 < \ldots < \alpha_l < 1\) and the \(\alpha_i\) are positive constants. The error bounds derived in this paper remain valid if \(\alpha_1 \rightarrow 1^{-}\), i.e., are \(\alpha\)-robust and more natural. The performance and \(\alpha\)-robustness of the scheme is demonstrated in the numerical experiments