Efficient hyperbolic–parabolic models on multi-dimensional unbounded domains using an extended DG approach

We introduce an extended discontinuous Galerkin discretization of hyperbolic–parabolic problems on multidimensional semi-infinite domains. Building on previous work on the one-dimensional case, we split the strip-shaped computational domain into a bounded region, discretized by means of discontinuous finite elements using Legendre basis functions, and an unbounded subdomain, where scaled Laguerre functions are used as a basis. Numerical fluxes at the interface allow for a seamless coupling of the two regions. The resulting coupling strategy is shown to produce accurate numerical solutions in tests on both linear and nonlinear scalar and vectorial model problems. In addition, an efficient absorbing layer can be simulated in the semi-infinite part of the domain in order to damp outgoing signals with negligible spurious reflections at the interface. By tuning the scaling parameter of the Laguerre basis functions, the extended DG scheme simulates transient dynamics over large spatial scales with a substantial reduction in computational cost at a given accuracy level compared to standard single-domain discontinuous finite element techniques.