Galerkin approximation of holomorphic eigenvalue problems: weak T-coercivity and T-compatibility

We consider Galerkin approximations of eigenvalue problems for holomorphic Fredholm operator functions for which the operators do not have the structure “coercive+compact”. In this case the regularity (in the vocabulary of discrete approximation schemes) of Galerkin approximations is not unconditionally satisfied and the question of convergence is delicate. We report a technique to prove regularity of approximations which is applicable to a wide range of eigenvalue problems. The technique is based on the knowledge of a suitable Test function operator. In particular, we introduce the concepts of weak T-coercivity and T-compatibility and prove that for weakly T-coercive operators, T-compatibility of Galerkin approximations implies their regularity. Our framework can be successfully applied to analyze e.g. complex scaling/perfectly matched layer methods, problems involving sign-changing coefficients due to meta-materials and also (boundary element) approximations of Maxwell-type equations. We demonstrate the application of our framework to the Maxwell eigenvalue problem for a conductive material.