New Cartesian grid methods for interface problems using the finite element formulation

New finite element methods based on Cartesian triangulations are presented for two dimensional elliptic interface problems involving discontinuities in the coefficients. The triangulations in these methods do not need to fit the interfaces. The basis functions in these methods are constructed to satisfy the interface jump conditions either exactly or approximately. Both non-conforming and conforming finite element spaces are considered. Corresponding interpolation functions are proved to be second order accurate in the maximum norm. The conforming finite element method has been shown to be convergent. With Cartesian triangulations, these new methods can be used as finite difference methods. Numerical examples are provided to support the methods and the theoretical analysis.