Generalized Galerkin Variational Integrators

Abstract

We introduce generalized Galerkin variational integrators, which are a natural generalization of discrete variational mechanics, whereby the discrete action, as opposed to the discrete Lagrangian, is the fundamental object. This is achieved by approximating the action integral with appropriate choices of a finite-dimensional function space that approximate sections of the configuration bundle and numerical quadrature to approximate the integral. We discuss how this general framework allows us to recover higher-order Galerkin variational integrators, asynchronous variational integrators, and symplectic-energy-momentum integrators. In addition, we will consider function spaces that are not parameterized by field values evaluated at nodal points, which allows the construction of Lie group, multiscale, and pseudospectral variational integrators. The construction of pseudospectral variational integrators is illustrated by applying it to the (linear) Schrodinger equation. G-invariant discrete Lagrangians are constructed in the context of Lie group methods through the use of natural charts and interpolation at the level of the Lie algebra. The reduction of these G-invariant Lagrangians yield a higher-order analogue of discrete Euler-Poincare reduction. By considering nonlinear approximation spaces, spatio-temporally adaptive variational integrators can be introduced as well.