Total variation minimization with finite elements: convergence and iterative solution (Q2903031)

The convex minimization problem involving a non-smooth total variation norm and its numerical approximation are investigated. Two numerical algorithms are proposed for obtaining an approximation solution of the problem. In both cases the iterative solution based on a regularized \(L^2\) flow of the energy functional is the main idea for the numerical solution converging to a stationary point for certain constraint on the time step size.NEWLINENEWLINEIn the first algorithm, piecewise affine globally continuous finite elements are used. The convergence for such approximation is proved. On the contrary, where a piecewise constant finite element approximation is used it is proved that the convergence to the exact solution cannot be expected in general. The used techniques are extended to an energy functional involving a negative order term. Finally, numerical solutions are included that confirm the theoretical results.