Eigenvalue and Near Eigenvalue Problems Solved by Brandt's Multigrid Method

摘要

To illustrate Brandt's multigrid method this report considers the Helmholtz equation in cases where the frequency is close to an eigenfrequency. In a second part the eigenvalue problem is discussed. The basic idea for the treatment of the inhomogeneous problem is contained in Brandt's publications. Difficulties are encountered because the coarse grid eigenvalues differ from those of the finer grid. As a consequence, approximations to a solution in the coarse grid may differ widely from the corresponding approximation in a finer grid, if the frequency defined by the inhomogeneous problem is close to one of the eigenfrequencies. This may be detrimental to the aim of the coarse grid step; namely to remove from an approximation in a fine grid long waves which cause divergence of fine grid iterations. This is remedied by eliminating long wave contributions to the residual directly in the next finer grid. The success of this procedure still depends upon the choice of the subspace from which the long wave corrections in the finer grid are taken. Even this modified method fails if the frequency pertaining to the inhomogeneous term is too close to an eigenvalue, unless the subspace contains the pertinent eigenfunction.