Numerical approximation for a variable-order nonlinear reaction-subdiffusion equation (Q2376359)

The authors consider a class of boundary value problems with nonlinear reaction-subdiffusion equation on a bounded space interval and limited time variable with simple boundary and initial conditions. The fractional differential operator of the diffusion exponent depends both on spatial and temporal variables in arbitrary form. Using the relationship between Riemann-Liouville and Grünwald-Letnikov fractional partial derivatives, a finite difference scheme on an uniform mesh for the approximate solution of the problem is proposed. It is reduced to a tridiagonal system of algebraic equations with a strictly dominant diagonal. Convergence with second-order spatial and first-order temporal accuracy to the exact solution and unconditional stability of the scheme are established. Additional improvement of the proposed method with second-order spatial and temporal accuracy is also provided. Numerical examples with discussion are given.