Homework Help: Finding Constants to Solution Given 2nd Order, Nonlinear DE

Tags:
1. Mar 24, 2015

rakeru

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Okay, here's the deal:

I have been given a second order nonlinear differential equation, and I have also been given the general solution with constants A and B. I am supposed to find the constants A and B. The solution represents a fermion at rest, since the solution does not vary with time.

2. Relevant equations

The differential equation is as follows:

(d^2phi/dt^2)-(d^2phi/dx^2)-phi+phi^3=0

The soliton solution is:

Phi(x)=A(tanh(Bx))

3. The attempt at a solution
I have five pages of attempts to solve this. One professor told me it was impossible, but the professor that I am doing research with told me that it is possible. First, I found the first and second derivatives of phi, then, I input them into the differential equation. The first term goes out because the particle is at rest. Then, I tried different methods.
I tried using hyperbolic trig identities.
I tried writing the equation in terms of sinh and cosh and then tried to eliminate some things. He told me that I need to end up with a polynomial that has A and B and no x, and that I must have hyperbolic tangent on both sides of the equation to find the constants.
I also tried getting a polynomial with tanh(Bx) representing a variable p and then I got factors A, p, and the polynomial. If the equation equals zero, then at least one of those factors must be zero, so I set them equal to zero, but I still have x in there. I tried setting tanh (Bx) (aka p) equal to zero and setting the polynomial to zero and then I solved the polynomial for p and made the p equation equal to zero, however, it looked very complicated and the professor said it was a simple calculation, and even then, that would mean that phi is zero, and that is not the case because I am supposed to use phi to get energy density.

2. Mar 24, 2015

phyzguy

I think you're making this harder than it is. The solution is just a 2-3 lines. Can your write down d^2phi/dx^2? Do you remember that 1-tanh[x]^2 = sech[x]^2. Also remember that you are trying to find an A and B that solve the equation, so you are free to choose A and B to make the problem simplify.

3. Mar 26, 2015

rakeru

d^2phi/dx^2= -2AB^2tanh(Bx), correct?

Now I have gotten the equation

tanh(Bx)[2AB^2-A+A^3tanh^2(Bx)]=0

I set 2AB^2-A+A^3tanh^2(Bx)=0

tanh(Bx)= sqrt[2B-1]/A

But now what? Was I supposed to change the tanh^2(Bx) into 1-sech^2(Bx)?

4. Mar 26, 2015

phyzguy

No. You're not differentiating this correctly. The first derivative of tanh(x) is sech^2(x). The second derivative is more complicated than just tanh[x]. Try again.

5. Mar 26, 2015

rakeru

The second derivative is

phi''=-2AB^2tanh(Bx)sech^2(Bx)= -2AB^2tanh(Bx)+2AB^2tanh^3(Bx)

and so

tanh(Bx)[2AB^2-A]+tanh^3(Bx)[-2AB^2+A^3]=0

6. Mar 26, 2015

rakeru

I keep getting that phi is zero.

7. Mar 26, 2015

phyzguy

OK, better. Of course phi = 0 is a solution, but there is another solution. Suppose those two coefficients (2AB^2 -A), and (-2AB^2+A^3) are both zero. Is there a set of A and B that can make that happen?

8. Mar 26, 2015

rakeru

Ahhh yes. I understand!
Thank you very much :)

9. Mar 26, 2015

rakeru

Alright, I ended up with A=+/- 1 and B=1/sqrt(2).

10. Mar 26, 2015

phyzguy

Sounds good to me. See, it wasn't that hard after all!