Achieving wavenumber robustness in domain decomposition for heterogeneous Helmholtz equation: an overview of spectral coarse spaces

Abstract

Solving time-harmonic wave propagation problems in the frequency domain within heterogeneous media poses significant mathematical and computational challenges, particularly in the high-frequency regime. Among the available numerical approaches, domain decomposition methods are widely regarded as effective due to their suitability for parallel computing and their capacity to maintain robustness with respect to physical parameters, such as the wavenumber. These methods can achieve near-constant time-to-solution as the wavenumber increases, though often at the expense of a computationally intensive coarse correction step. This work focuses on identifying the best algorithms and numerical strategies for benchmark problems modelled by the Helmholtz equation. Specifically, we examine and compare several coarse spaces which are part of different families, e.g. GenEO (Generalised Eigenvalue Overlap) type coarse spaces and harmonic coarse spaces, that underpin two-level domain decomposition methods. By leveraging spectral information and multiscale approaches, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the strengths and weaknesses of these methods. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the effectiveness of these coarse spaces depends on the specific problem and numerical configuration, highlighting the trade-offs between computational cost, robustness, and practical applicability.