A Novel Spectral Approximation for the Two-Dimensional Fractional Sub-Diffusion Problems

Abstract

This paper reports a new numerical method that enables easy and convenient discretization of a two-dimensional sub-diffusion equation with fractional derivatives of any order. The suggested method is based on Jacobi tau spectral procedure together with the Jacobi operational matrix for fractional derivatives, described in the Caputo sense. Such approach has the advantage of reducing the problem to the solution of a system of algebraic equations, which may then be solved by any standard numerical technique. The validity and effectiveness of the method are demonstrated by solving two numerical examples, which are presented in the form of tables and graphs to make more easier comparisons with the exact solutions and the results obtained by other methods.