On the numerical evaluation of algebro-geometric solutions to integrable equations

Physically meaningful periodic solutions to certain integrable partial differential equations are given in terms of multi-dimensional theta functions associated to real Riemann surfaces. Typical analytical problems in the numerical evaluation of these solutions are studied. In the case of hyperelliptic surfaces efficient algorithms exist even for almost degenerate surfaces. This allows the numerical study of solitonic limits. For general real Riemann surfaces, the choice of a homology basis adapted to the anti-holomorphic involution is important for a convenient formulation of the solutions and smoothness conditions. Since existing algorithms for algebraic curves produce a homology basis not related to automorphisms of the curve, we study symplectic transformations to an adapted basis and give explicit formulae for M-curves. As examples we discuss solutions of the Davey-Stewartson and the multi-component nonlinear Schr\"odinger equations.Comment: 29 pages, 20 figure

Palindromic 3-stage splitting integrators, a roadmap

The implementation of multi-stage splitting integrators is essentially the same as the implementation of the familiar Strang/Verlet method. Therefore multi-stage formulas may be easily incorporated into software that now uses the Strang/Verlet integrator. We study in detail the two-parameter family of palindromic, three-stage splitting formulas and identify choices of parameters that may outperform the Strang/Verlet method. One of these choices leads to a method of effective order four suitable to integrate in time some partial differential equations. Other choices may be seen as perturbations of the Strang method that increase efficiency in molecular dynamics simulations and in Hybrid Monte Carlo sampling.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures, 2 table

A time-splitting pseudospectral method for the solution of the Gross-Pitaevskii equations using spherical harmonics with generalised-Laguerre basis functions

We present a method for numerically solving a Gross-Pitaevskii system of equations with a harmonic and a toroidal external potential that governs the dynamics of one- and two-component Bose-Einstein condensates. The method we develop maintains spectral accuracy by employing Fourier or spherical harmonics in the angular coordinates combined with generalised-Laguerre basis functions in the radial direction. Using an error analysis, we show that the method presented leads to more accurate results than one based on a sine transform in the radial direction when combined with a time-splitting method for integrating the equations forward in time. In contrast to a number of previous studies, no assumptions of radial or cylindrical symmetry is assumed allowing the method to be applied to 2D and 3D time-dependent simulations. This is accomplished by developing an efficient algorithm that accurately performs the generalised-Laguerre transforms of rotating Bose-Einstein condensates for different orders of the Laguerre polynomials. Using this spatial discretisation together with a second order Strang time-splitting method, we illustrate the scheme on a number of 2D and 3D computations of the ground state of a non-rotating and rotating condensate. Comparisons between previously derived theoretical results for these ground state solutions and our numerical computations show excellent agreement for these benchmark problems. The method is further applied to simulate a number of time-dependent problems including the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in a two-component rotating condensate and the motion of quantised vortices in a 3D condensate

Characteristics, Bicharacteristics, and Geometric Singularities of Solutions of PDEs

Many physical systems are described by partial differential equations (PDEs). Determinism then requires the Cauchy problem to be well-posed. Even when the Cauchy problem is well-posed for generic Cauchy data, there may exist characteristic Cauchy data. Characteristics of PDEs play an important role both in Mathematics and in Physics. I will review the theory of characteristics and bicharacteristics of PDEs, with a special emphasis on intrinsic aspects, i.e., those aspects which are invariant under general changes of coordinates. After a basically analytic introduction, I will pass to a modern, geometric point of view, presenting characteristics within the jet space approach to PDEs. In particular, I will discuss the relationship between characteristics and singularities of solutions and observe that: "wave-fronts are characteristic surfaces and propagate along bicharacteristics". This remark may be understood as a mathematical formulation of the wave/particle duality in optics and/or quantum mechanics. The content of the paper reflects the three hour minicourse that I gave at the XXII International Fall Workshop on Geometry and Physics, September 2-5, 2013, Evora, Portugal.Comment: 26 pages, short elementary review submitted for publication on the Proceedings of XXII IFWG

Symplectic structure-preserving integrators for the two-dimensional Gross–Pitaevskii equation for BEC

AbstractSymplectic integrators have been developed for solving the two-dimensional Gross–Pitaevskii equation. The equation is transformed into a Hamiltonian form with symplectic structure. Then, symplectic integrators, including the midpoint rule, and a splitting symplectic scheme are developed for treating this equation. It is shown that the proposed codes fulfill the discrete charge conservation law. Furthermore, the global error of the numerical solution is theoretically estimated. The theoretical analysis is supported by some numerical simulations