# Error analysis for finite element operator learning methods for solving parametric second-order elliptic PDEs

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.17868 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.17868/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 20 of its 52 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 27 Apr 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 20 of 20)

- [Neural Tangent Kernel: Convergence and Generalization in Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1806.07572/) (2018)
- [DeepONet: Learning nonlinear operators for identifying differential equations based on the universal approximation theorem of operators](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1910.03193/) (2019)
- [Learning the solution operator of parametric partial differential equations with physics-informed DeepOnets](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2103.10974/) (2021)
- [Physics-Informed Neural Operator for Learning Partial Differential Equations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2111.03794/) (2021)
- [Fourier Neural Operator with Learned Deformations for PDEs on General Geometries](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2207.05209/) (2022)
- [B-PINNs: Bayesian Physics-Informed Neural Networks for Forward and Inverse PDE Problems with Noisy Data](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2003.06097/) (2020)
- [Norm-Based Capacity Control in Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1503.00036/) (2015)
- [Universal Approximation with Deep Narrow Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1905.08539/) (2019)
- [Towards Understanding the Role of Over-Parametrization in Generalization of Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1805.12076/) (2018)
- [Estimates on the generalization error of Physics Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) for approximating PDEs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2006.16144/) (2020)
- [A Function Space View of Bounded Norm Infinite Width ReLU Nets: The Multivariate Case](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1910.01635/) (2019)
- [A Mathematical Guide to Operator Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2312.14688/) (2023)
- [Exponential Convergence of Deep Operator Networks for Elliptic Partial Differential Equations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2112.08125/) (2021)
- [wPINNs: Weak Physics informed neural networks for approximating entropy solutions of hyperbolic conservation laws](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2207.08483/) (2022)
- [HyperDeepONet: learning operator with complex target function space using the limited resources via hypernetwork](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2312.15949/) (2023)
- [On the Representation of Solutions to Elliptic PDEs in Barron Spaces](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2106.07539/) (2021)
- [Neural Network Approximations of PDEs Beyond Linearity: A Representational Perspective](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.12101/) (2022)
- [Spectral operator learning for parametric PDEs without data reliance](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.02013/) (2023)
- [opPINN: Physics-Informed Neural Network with operator learning to approximate solutions to the Fokker-Planck-Landau equation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2207.01765/) (2022)
- [Convergence analysis of unsupervised Legendre-Galerkin neural networks for linear second-order elliptic PDEs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2211.08900/) (2022)

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Discontinuous Galerkin finite element operator network for solving non-smooth PDEs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.03668/) (2026)
- [Spectrally Safe Neural Operator Warm-Starts for Large-Scale Newton Solvers](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.21828/) (2026)
- [Sparse FEONet: A Low-Cost, Memory-Efficient Operator Network via Finite-Element Local Sparsity for Parametric PDEs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.00672/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

In this paper, we provide a theoretical analysis of a type of operator learning method without data reliance based on the classical finite element approximation, which is called the finite element operator network (FEONet). We first establish the convergence of this method for general second-order linear elliptic PDEs with respect to the parameters for neural network approximation. In this regard, we address the role of the condition number of the finite element matrix in the convergence of the method. Secondly, we derive an explicit error estimate for the self-adjoint case. For this, we investigate some regularity properties of the solution in certain function classes for a neural network approximation, verifying the sufficient condition for the solution to have the desired regularity. Finally, we will also conduct some numerical experiments that support the theoretical findings, confirming the role of the condition number of the finite element matrix in the overall convergence.