Towards provable energy-stable overset grid methods using sub-cell summation-by-parts operators

Overset grid methods handle complex geometries by overlapping simpler, geometry-fitted grids to cover the original, more complex domain. However, ensuring their stability – particularly at high orders – remains a practical and theoretical challenge. In this work, we address this gap by developing a discrete counterpart to the recent well-posedness analysis of Kopriva, Gassner, and Nordström for continuous overset domain initial-boundary-value problems. To this end, we introduce the novel concept of sub-cell summation-by-parts (SBP) operators. These discrete derivative operators mimic integration by parts at a sub-cell level. By exploiting this sub-cell SBP property, we develop provably conservative and energy-stable overset grid methods, thereby resolving longstanding stability issues in the field.