Optimal error estimate of the finite element approximation of second order semilinear non-autonomous parabolic PDEs

Abstract: In this work, we investigate the numerical approximation of the second order non-autonomous semilnear parabolic partial differential equation (PDE) using the finite element method. To the best of our knowledge, only the linear case is investigated in the literature. Using an approach based on evolution operator depending on two parameters, we obtain the error estimate of the scheme toward the mild solution of the PDE under polynomial growth condition of the nonlinearity. Our convergence rate are obtain for smooth and non-smooth initial data and is similar to that of the autonomous case. Our convergence result for smooth initial data is very important in numerical analysis. For instance, it is one step forward in approximating non-autonomous stochastic partial differential equations by the finite element method. In addition, we provide realistic conditions on the nonlinearity, appropriated to achieve optimal convergence rate without logarithmic reduction by exploiting the smooth properties of the two parameters evolution operator.