A lowest order stabilization-free mixed Virtual Element Method

Abstract: We initiate the design and the analysis of stabilization-free Virtual Element Methods for the laplacian problem written in mixed form. A Virtual Element version of the lowest order Raviart-Thomas Finite Element is considered. To reduce the computational costs, a suitable projection on the gradients of harmonic polynomials is employed. A complete theoretical analysis of stability and convergence is developed in the case of quadrilateral meshes. Some numerical tests highlighting the actual behaviour of the scheme are also provided.