Approximation of harmonic functions on metric measure spaces of controlled geometry via discrete graphs

Abstract

Given a complete doubling metric measure space $X$ that supports a $2$-Poincar\'e inequality, we approximate harmonic functions on a bounded domain $\Omega$ with a prescribed Newton-Sobolev boundary data. Our approach is based on the approximation of the underlying space $X$ by a family of graphs. This approximated harmonic function is realized as the weak limit of a sequence of functions obtained from the graph minimizers. We prove that such a function is a minimizer with respect to a nonlinear energy form on $N^{1,2}_0(\Omega)$, which is in turn, majorized by the upper gradient energy on $N^{1,2}(X)$. This energy form on $N^{1,2}_0(\Omega)$ is obtained as a $\Gamma$-limit of a sequence of induced energy forms projected from the discrete energy form on the approximating graphs.