Generalization error in the deep Ritz method with smooth activation functions (Q6585908)

The manuscript presents an in-depth theoretical analysis of the Deep Ritz method (DRM) and addresses the generalization error inherent in this deep learning paradigm for solving partial differential equations (PDEs), focusing specifically on the Poisson equation. The author investigates the statistical behaviour of this method when employing shallow and residual neural networks with smooth activation functions, offering significant theoretical advancements in understanding the DRM's efficiency and limitations.\N\NThe scientific problem explored revolves around the accuracy and generalisation capability of the DRM, particularly when used to approximate solutions to PDEs like the Poisson equation. The DRM reformulates the PDE as a minimisation problem over neural network-based function spaces, optimising a loss function representing the variational formulation of the PDE. A critical challenge in this context is the quantification of the generalisation error -- the difference between the theoretical and empirical performance of the neural network -- within bounded domains and complex settings.\N\NTo address this, the author employs a rigorous mathematical framework. The study integrates tools from statistical learning theory, such as Rademacher complexity, to derive bounds on the generalisation error. The analysis includes a decomposition of error terms into penalisation, approximation, statistical, and optimisation errors. The penalisation error accounts for deviations introduced by the boundary conditions, while the statistical error focuses on discrepancies due to the Monte Carlo approximation of integrals in the loss function. The study incorporates path norms to constrain the parameter spaces of neural networks and explores how these norms influence error bounds for both shallow and residual network architectures.\N\NThe key findings highlight that the generalisation error of the DRM converges to zero with a rate proportional to \( O(1/\sqrt{n}) \), where \( n \) represents the number of data points sampled for integration. The analysis reveals that the smoothness of activation functions plays a pivotal role in determining the efficiency of the DRM. The study provides optimal error bounds for networks employing smooth versions of the rectified linear unit (ReLU) activation function. Moreover, it demonstrates that residual neural networks, despite their architectural complexity, maintain feasible generalisation properties under bounded path norms. The results are contrasted with earlier findings in the literature, underscoring the novelty of considering residual networks and smooth activation functions in DRM applications.\N\NThis research contributes substantially to the field by extending the theoretical understanding of the DRM's capabilities. The incorporation of smooth activation functions and the focus on residual networks fill a gap in prior studies that predominantly explored shallow, feed-forward architectures with standard ReLU functions. The implications are far-reaching, as the results enhance the feasibility of applying the DRM to a broader class of PDEs and improve the interpretability of deep learning models in mathematical and physical sciences. By systematically addressing generalisation errors, the study provides a solid foundation for future explorations into the integration of advanced neural architectures within the framework of PDE solutions.