Numerical Methods for the Fractional Laplacian: a Finite Difference-quadrature Approach

The fractional Laplacian $(-\Delta)^{\alpha/2}$ is a non-local operator which depends on the parameter $\alpha$ and recovers the usual Laplacian as $\alpha \to 2$. A numerical method for the fractional Laplacian is proposed, based on the singular integral representation for the operator. The method combines finite difference with numerical quadrature, to obtain a discrete convolution operator with positive weights. The accuracy of the method is shown to be $O(h^{3-\alpha})$. Convergence of the method is proven. The treatment of far field boundary conditions using an asymptotic approximation to the integral is used to obtain an accurate method. Numerical experiments on known exact solutions validate the predicted convergence rates. Computational examples include exponentially and algebraically decaying solution with varying regularity. The generalization to nonlinear equations involving the operator is discussed: the obstacle problem for the fractional Laplacian is computed.Comment: 29 pages, 9 figure

Explicit Equilibrium Solutions For the Aggregation Equation with Power-Law Potentials

Despite their wide presence in various models in the study of collective behaviors, explicit swarming patterns are difficult to obtain. In this paper, special stationary solutions of the aggregation equation with power-law kernels are constructed by inverting Fredholm integral operators or by employing certain integral identities. These solutions are expected to be the global energy stable equilibria and to characterize the generic behaviors of stationary solutions for more general interactions

Stationary States and Asymptotic Behaviour of Aggregation Models with Nonlinear Local Repulsion

We consider a continuum aggregation model with nonlinear local repulsion given by a degenerate power-law diffusion with general exponent. The steady states and their properties in one dimension are studied both analytically and numerically, suggesting that the quadratic diffusion is a critical case. The focus is on finite-size, monotone and compactly supported equilibria. We also investigate numerically the long time asymptotics of the model by simulations of the evolution equation. Issues such as metastability and local/ global stability are studied in connection to the gradient flow formulation of the model

On global minimizers of repulsive-attractive power-law interaction energies

We consider the minimisation of power-law repulsive-attractive interaction energies which occur in many biological and physical situations. We show existence of global minimizers in the discrete setting and get bounds for their supports independently of the number of Dirac Deltas in certain range of exponents. These global discrete minimizers correspond to the stable spatial profiles of flock patterns in swarming models. Global minimizers of the continuum problem are obtained by compactness. We also illustrate our results through numerical simulations.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figure

A Finite-Volume Method for Nonlinear Nonlocal Equations with a Gradient Flow Structure

We propose a positivity preserving entropy decreasing finite volume scheme for nonlinear nonlocal equations with a gradient flow structure. These properties allow for accurate computations of stationary states and long-time asymptotics demonstrated by suitably chosen test cases in which these features of the scheme are essential. The proposed scheme is able to cope with non-smooth stationary states, different time scales including metastability, as well as concentrations and self-similar behavior induced by singular nonlocal kernels. We use the scheme to explore properties of these equations beyond their present theoretical knowledge

Finite Difference Methods for the generator of 1D asymmetric alpha-stable Lévy motions

Abstract Several finite difference methods are proposed for the infinitesimal generator of 1D asymmetric α-stable Lévy motions, based on the fact that the operator becomes a multiplier in the spectral space. These methods take the general form of a discrete convolution, and the coefficients (or the weights) in the convolution are chosen to approximate the exact multiplier after appropriate transform. The accuracy and the associated advantages/disadvantages are also discussed, providing some guidance on the choice of the right scheme for practical problems, like in the calculation of mean exit time for random processes governed by general asymmetric α-stable motions.</jats:p

Long-time asymptotics for nonlocal porous medium equation with absorption or convection

In this paper, the long-time asymptotic behaviours of nonlocal porous medium equations with absorption or convection are studied. In the parameter regimes when the nonlocal diffusion is dominant, the entropy method is adapted in this context to derive the exponential convergence of relative entropy of solutions in similarity variables

Explicit Barenblatt Profiles for Fractional Porous Medium Equations

Several one-parameter families of explicit self-similar solutions are constructed for the porous medium equations with fractional operators. The corresponding self-similar profiles, also called \emph{Barenblatt profiles}, have the same forms as those of the classic porous medium equations. These new exact solutions complement current theoretical analysis of the underlying equations and are expected to provide insights for further quantitative investigations