Multilevel algebraic elliptic solvers

Abstract

We survey some of the recent research in developing multilevel algebraic solvers for elliptic problems. A key concept is the design of a hierarchy of coarse spaces and related interpolation operators which together satisfy certain approximation and stability properties to ensure the rapid convergence of the resulting multigrid algorithms. We will discuss smoothed agglomeration methods, harmonic extension methods, and global energy minimization methods for the construction of these coarse spaces and interpolation operators.