An $L^2$-quantitative global approximation for the Stokes initial-boundary value problem

Abstract: We establish the first quantitative Runge approximation theorem, with explicit $L^2$-estimates, for the 3d nonstationary Stokes system on a bounded spatial domain. This result addresses the two primary limitations of the qualitative result [H.-Sueur, 2025] obtained in collaboration with Franck Sueur: first, it bypasses the non-constructive Hahn-Banach theorem used in [H.-Sueur, 2025], precluding quantitative estimates; and second, it extends the scope of the theory from interior approximations to the physically important initial-boundary value problem. Our proof is founded on the modern quantitative framework of [Rüland-Salo, 2019], which we adapt to the Stokes system by combining semigroup theory with a quantitative approximation for the associated resolvent problem.