Higher order convergence results for the Rayleigh-Ritz method applied to eigenvalue problems: 2. Improved error bounds for eigenfunctions

The application of the Rayleigh-Ritz method for approximating the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of linear eigenvalue problems in several dimensions is investigated. The object is to improve upon known error estimates for the approximate eigenfunctions. Results for the Galerkin approximation of the eigenfunctions are developed under varying assumptions on the boundary conditions and domain of definition of the eigenvalue problem. These results, coupled with a previous result relating Galerkin and Rayleigh-Ritz approximation of the eigenfunctions, are then used to obtain improved error estimates for the approximate eigenfunctions in theL ² and uniform norms.This research was supported in part by AEC Grant (11-1)-2075.