Implicit-explicit and split-explicit super-time-stepping methods

Abstract

Multiphysics initial-value problems couple processes with distinct stability properties, such as advection, diffusion, and stiff local reactions. Standard implicit-explicit (ImEx) additive Runge--Kutta (ARK) methods can treat these processes accurately, but require globally coupled implicit solves when diffusion is grouped with reaction; operator splitting avoids such solves but typically provides weaker coupling and no inexpensive temporal error estimate; and PIROCK is tied to a specific Runge--Kutta--Chebyshev super-time-stepping (STS) construction. We introduce extended super-time-stepping (ExtSTS) methods, a family of time integration schemes that combine super-time-stepping methods for diffusive terms with explicit, implicit, or ImEx Runge--Kutta treatment of the remaining terms. The coupling is based on multirate infinitesimal techniques, yielding solve-decoupled methods that retain localized implicit solves, support embedded error estimation for adaptive time stepping, and allow flexible use of modern STS methods. We present the ExtSTS method family, provide a robust technique for ExtSTS method creation, formulate the corresponding linear stability theory, and construct embedded ImEx, explicit, and implicit ExtSTS methods. Numerical experiments on one- and two-dimensional advection-diffusion-reaction problems show that ExtSTS methods are robust across parameter regimes and boundary conditions, and are often more efficient than ARK, Strang splitting, and PIROCK methods, especially when strong coupling between operators is important.