CSE/CSAR Seminar
SPEAKER: Paul F. Fischer, Argonne National Laboratory
TITLE: Spectral Elements 101
DATE: Wednesday, November 2, 2005
TIME: 12:00 Noon
PLACE: 2240 DCL
1304 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana, IL
ABSTRACT
Since its introduction by Patera in 1984, the spectral element method
(SEM) has matured into an important alternative to the finite element
method for solving difficult problems in complex domains. In
particular, it can be argued that the primary objective of the
SEM---bringing the power of spectral methods to bear on complex
domains---is now a reality. In the opening part of this talk, I will
present several illustrations of the SEM, including complex turbulent
flows, problems from fusion simulations featuring anisotropy ratios of
10^9, and computational electromagnetics, which support this claim.
The principal focus of this talk will be to explain how the SEM works
and why it is computationally efficient. This talk will be aimed at
researchers interested in using and/or developing spectral element
methods for their own computations. I will also briefly touch upon the
linear solvers required for SEM solution of the unsteady incompressible
Navier-Stokes equations and will conclude with parallel performance
results.