Field-of-values analysis of preconditioned iterative methods for nonsymmetric elliptic problems

Summary. The convergence rate of Krylov subspace methods for the solution of nonsymmetric systems of linear equations, such as GMRES or FOM, is studied. Bounds on the convergence rate are presented which are based on the smallest real part of the field of values of the coefficient matrix and of its inverse. Estimates for these quantities are available during the iteration from the underlying Arnoldi process. It is shown how these bounds can be used to study the convergence properties, in particular, the dependence on the mesh-size and on the size of the skew-symmetric part, for preconditioners for finite element discretizations of nonsymmetric elliptic boundary value problems. This is illustrated for the hierarchical basis and multilevel preconditioners which constitute popular preconditioning strategies for such problems. Received May 3, 1996     

The change of the superstructure of semicrystalline polymers during deformation: results from small-angle scattering with synchrotron radiation

The change of the superstructure of different polyethylenes during uniaxial deformation is investigated. The method used is small-angle scattering with synchrotron radiation. For branched polyethylene (Lupolen 1840D) the whole deformation range is analyzed. Beginning with superstructure of the lamellar cluster type, the superstructure partly disappears on a time scale of a few minutes and the fibrillar structure is built up. The degree of destruction and rebuilding depends on the drawing temperature. For very high molecular weight polyethylene (GUR) a reversible change of the superstructure at higher deformation ratios and at different temperatures is observed. The superstructure of (ethylene—hexene) copolymers (TIPELIN) at high draw ratios depends on the drawing temperature and is almost independent of the side group content. Interfibrillar microcracks parallel to the draw direction are produced in samples with a low side group content for draw ratios λ ≥ 1.5.