Homotopy Analysis Method (or Homotopy Perturbation Method)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effectiveness of the Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM) in solving coupled non-linear partial differential equations (PDEs) and its relationship to the Homotopy Perturbation Method (HPM). Participants explore the perceived limitations and the academic references surrounding these methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the effectiveness of HAM in solving coupled non-linear PDEs, noting a limited number of authors frequently cited in related papers.
  • Another participant describes HAM and HPM as methods for finding approximate solutions to non-linear equations, citing the WKB method from Quantum Mechanics as an example of HPM.
  • A participant highlights that HAM does not require a small parameter for perturbation, unlike WKB, and introduces an artificial parameter to control convergence, raising questions about its unique contributions.
  • One participant mentions seeking input from their supervisor, who is considered an authority on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the effectiveness and broader acceptance of HAM and HPM, indicating that multiple competing views remain without a consensus on their utility or impact.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions and assumptions underlying the methods, as well as the scope of their applications in the literature.

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Homotopy Analysis Method (or Homotopy Perturbation Method)??

How effective is this Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM) in solving coupled non-linear PDE? I see some papers, but they seem to be cross-referencing a small group of people most of the time. This sounds strange for a method that is so generic and so powerful (and has been around since 1992), as those papers all say.

Homotopy Perturbation Method (HPM) is a recent variant of HAM. But this also seems to suffer from the same strange behaviors as HAM's papers.
 
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"HAM" and "HPM" are methods for finding approximate solutions to non-linear equations. The WKB method used in Quantum Mechanics to solve Shrodinger's equation is an example of a "HPM".
 


Thanks for the reply.

I understand that it is an approximation method. But the difference from WKB seems to be that, in HAM, there is no apriori need for a small-parameter (with which to perturb). HAM introduces an artificial parameter with which a perturbation solution is constructed and then the parameter is taken to unity. The convergence of the solution is controlled by another parameter.

I want to know if HAM really brings something powerful to the table and, if so, why do I not see it beyond a relatively small self-referencing group.
 


I will ask my supervisor this, as he is an authority on this kind of stuff.
 

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