Numerical results for an unconditionally stable space-time finite element method for the wave equation

Abstract: In this work, we introduce a new space-time variational formulation of the second-order wave equation, where integration by parts is also applied with respect to the time variable, and a modified Hilbert transformation is used. For this resulting variational setting, ansatz and test spaces are equal. Thus, conforming finite element discretizations lead to Galerkin--Bubnov schemes. We consider a conforming tensor-product approach with piecewise polynomial, continuous basis functions, which results in an unconditionally stable method, i.e., no CFL condition is required. We give numerical examples for a one- and a two-dimensional spatial domain, where the unconditional stability and optimal convergence rates in space-time norms are illustrated.