SUPERCONVERGENCE OF CRANK-NICOLSON MIXED FINITE ELEMENT SOLUTION OF PARABOLIC PROBLEMS

In this paper we extend the mixed finite element method and its $L_2$-error estimate for postprocessed solutions by using Crank-Nicolson time-discretization method. Global $O(h^2+({\Delta}t)^2)$-superconvergence for the lowest order Raviart-Thomas element ($Q_0-Q_{1,0}{\times}Q_{0,1}$) are obtained. Numerical examples are presented to confirm superconvergence phenomena.