A multi-grid method with a priori and a posteriori level choice for the regularization of nonlinear ill-posed problems

Summary In this paper we study a multi-grid method for the numerical solution of nonlinear systems of equations arising from the discretization of ill-posed problems, where the special eigensystem structure of the underlying operator equation makes it necessary to use special smoothers. We provide uniform contraction factor estimates and show that a nested multigrid iteration together with an a priori or a posteriori chosen stopping index defines a regularization method for the ill-posed problem, i.e., a stable solution method, that converges to an exact solution of the underlying infinite-dimensional problem as the data noise level goes to zero, with optimal rates under additional regularity conditions. Supported by the Fonds zur F?rderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung under grant T 7-TEC and project F1308 within Spezialforschungsbereich 13