Error analysis of a high-order fully discrete method for two-dimensional time-fractional convection-diffusion equations exhibiting weak initial singularity

Abstract: This study presents a novel high-order numerical method designed for solving the two-dimensional time-fractional convection-diffusion (TFCD) equation. The Caputo definition is employed to characterize the time-fractional derivative. A weak singularity at the initial time ($t=0$) is encountered in the considered problem, which is effectively managed by adopting a discretization approach for the time-fractional derivative, where Alikhanov's high-order L2-1$_\sigma$ formula is applied on a non-uniform fitted mesh, resulting in successful tackling of the singularity. A high-order two-dimensional compact operator is implemented to approximate the spatial variables. The alternating direction implicit (ADI) approach is then employed to solve the resulting system of equations by decomposing the two-dimensional problem into two separate one-dimensional problems. The theoretical analysis, encompassing both stability and convergence aspects, has been conducted comprehensively, and it has shown that method is convergent with an order $\mathcal O\left(N_t^{-\min{3-\alpha,\theta\alpha,1+2\alpha,2+\alpha}}+h_x^4+h_y^4\right)$, where $\alpha\in(0,1)$ represents the order of the fractional derivative, $N_t$ is the temporal discretization parameter and $h_x$ and $h_y$ represent spatial mesh widths. Moreover, the parameter $\theta$ is utilized in the construction of the fitted mesh.