# Discretization-independent operator learning for partial differential equations

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.07292 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.07292/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 24 of its 45 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 9 Jul 2025.

## Builds on (most cited first, 24 of 24)

- [PyTorch: An Imperative Style, High-Performance Deep Learning Library](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1912.01703/) (2019)
- [Fourier Neural Operator for Parametric Partial Differential Equations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2010.08895/) (2020)
- [Multipole Graph Neural Operator for Parametric Partial Differential Equations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2006.09535/) (2020)
- [Choose a Transformer: Fourier or Galerkin](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2105.14995/) (2021)
- [GNOT: A General Neural Operator Transformer for Operator Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.14376/) (2023)
- [Geometry-Informed Neural Operator for Large-Scale 3D PDEs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.00583/) (2023)
- [U-FNO -- An enhanced Fourier neural operator-based deep-learning model for multiphase flow](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2109.03697/) (2021)
- [Transformer for Partial Differential Equations' Operator Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2205.13671/) (2022)
- [Model Reduction and Neural Networks for Parametric PDEs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2005.03180/) (2020)
- [Convolutional Neural Operators for robust and accurate learning of PDEs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.01178/) (2023)
- [Scalable Transformer for PDE Surrogate Modeling](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2305.17560/) (2023)
- [Physics-Informed Deep Neural Operator Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2207.05748/) (2022)
- [Multifidelity deep neural operators for efficient learning of partial differential equations with application to fast inverse design of nanoscale heat transport](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2204.06684/) (2022)
- [Learning Operators with Coupled Attention](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2201.01032/) (2022)
- [The Modern Mathematics of Deep Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2105.04026/) (2021)
- [Multifidelity Deep Operator Networks For Data-Driven and Physics-Informed Problems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2204.09157/) (2022)
- [Representation Equivalent Neural Operators: a Framework for Alias-free Operator Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2305.19913/) (2023)
- [Deep Learning Methods for Partial Differential Equations and Related Parameter Identification Problems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.03130/) (2022)
- [Bi-fidelity Modeling of Uncertain and Partially Unknown Systems using DeepONets](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2204.00997/) (2022)
- [Deep Operator Network Approximation Rates for Lipschitz Operators](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2307.09835/) (2023)
- [Neural and spectral operator surrogates: unified construction and expression rate bounds](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2207.04950/) (2022)
- [Basis-to-Basis Operator Learning Using Function Encoders](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.00171/) (2024)
- [DeepGraphONet: A Deep Graph Operator Network to Learn and Zero-shot Transfer the Dynamic Response of Networked Systems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2209.10622/) (2022)
- [Multi-fidelity wavelet neural operator with application to uncertainty quantification](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2208.05606/) (2022)

## Abstract (arXiv)

We develop a new and general encode-approximate-reconstruct operator learning model that leverages learned neural representations of bases for input and output function distributions. We introduce the concepts of numerical operator learning and discretization independence, which clarify the relationship between theoretical formulations and practical realizations of operator learning models. Our model is discretization-independent, making it particularly effective for multiresolution learning. We establish theoretical approximation guarantees, demonstrating uniform universal approximation under strong assumptions on the input functions and statistical approximation under weaker conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study that investigates how discretization independence enables robust and efficient multiresolution operator learning. We validate our method through extensive numerical experiments involving both local and nonlocal PDEs, including time-independent and time-dependent problems. The results show that multiresolution training significantly improves accuracy and computational efficiency. Moreover, multiresolution training further enhances empirical discretization independence.