An Application of the Homotopy Analysis Method for the Time- or Space-Fractional Heat Equation

Abstract

This paper focuses on the usage of the homotopy analysis method (HAM) to solve the fractional heat conduction equation. In the presented mathematical model, Caputo-type fractional derivatives over time or space are considered. In the HAM, it is not necessary to discretize the considered domain, which is its great advantage. As a result of the method, a continuous function is obtained, which can be used for further analysis. For the first time, for the considered equations, we proved that if the series created in the method converges, then the sum of the series is a solution of the equation. A sufficient condition for this convergence is provided, as well as an estimation of the error of the approximate solution. This paper also presents examples illustrating the accuracy and stability of the proposed algorithm.

Keywords

• fractional derivative
• heat equation
• homotopy analysis method