Numerical solution of fractional order diffusion problems with Neumann boundary conditions

Abstract

A finite difference numerical method is investigated for fractional order diffusion problems in one space dimension. For this, a mathematical model is developed to incorporate homogeneous Dirichlet and Neumann type boundary conditions. The models are based on an appropriate extension of the initial values. The well-posedness of the obtained initial value problems is proved and it is pointed out that the extensions are compatible with the above boundary conditions. Accordingly, a finite difference scheme is constructed for the Neumann problem using the shifted Grünwald--Letnikov approximation of the fractional order derivatives, which is based on infinite many basis points. The corresponding matrix is expressed in a closed form and the convergence of an appropriate implicit Euler scheme is proved.