A note on convergence concepts for stiff problems (Q2640324)

Most convergence concepts for discretizations of nonlinear stiff initial value problems are based on one-sided Lipschitz continuity. Therefore only those stiff problems that admit moderately sized one-sided Lipschitz constants are covered in a satisfactory way by the respective theory. In the present note we show that the assumption of moderately sized one- sided Lipschitz constants is violated for many stiff problems. We recall some convergence results that are not based on one-sided Lipschitz constants; the concept of singular perturbations is one of the key issues. Numerical experience with stiff problems that are not covered by available convergence results is reported.