Numerical Solutions for Mixed Boundary Condition

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around numerical techniques for solving mixed boundary conditions in the context of r-mode oscillations of neutron stars. Participants explore methods for integrating a second-order differential equation with specific boundary conditions, seeking clarity on the implementation of these techniques in numerical software like MATLAB and Mathematica.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration over the lack of references in a paper discussing numerical techniques for r-mode oscillations, specifically regarding mixed boundary conditions.
  • Another participant suggests using Newton's method for solving the boundary conditions, emphasizing the need for an initial guess, potentially through asymptotic analysis.
  • A participant seeks clarification on how to implement finite difference methods at the boundary, questioning the appropriateness of central differencing due to potential boundary violations.
  • Further elaboration is provided on calculating derivatives at boundary points using finite difference approximations, with specific formulas shared for clarity.
  • Participants express a need for MATLAB code to assist with their implementations, with one participant offering to share their code via private message.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the use of numerical methods like Newton's method and finite difference techniques, but there remains uncertainty regarding the best approach to handle mixed boundary conditions and the specifics of implementing these methods in different software environments.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the initial guess for iterations in Newton's method and the specifics of finite difference schemes at the boundary, which may depend on the definitions and assumptions made in the problem setup.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for researchers or students working on numerical methods in astrophysics, particularly those focused on boundary value problems in differential equations related to neutron stars.

tau1777
Messages
29
Reaction score
0
Hi All,

I was reading this paper the other day and I've been trying to find the numerical techniques its mentions but have been thus far unsuccessful. The authors simply state that is well know and straightforward, and they believe this so much that they don't even include a reference. Ok, sorry about the rant.

The general problem they are trying to solve is for the r-mode oscillations of Neutron Stars. They get everything down to a 2nd order 1-d differential equation. They say the solution is zero at r=0, and at the surface they say it obeys something like A[r] * δρ[r] + B[r] * ∂ δρ[r] / ∂r =0. They they say they integrate from r=0 with the condition that δρ [0] =0, and from the surface with the condition A[r] * δρ[r] + B[r] * ∂ δρ[r] / ∂r =0 and they match the solutions at some specified point, and they use the frequency of the mode as the parameter they mess with to match the solution.

I understand how one can integrate out to the surface with the condition that δρ [0] , but how do they does the integration from the surface to the interior work when one has a Mixed boundary condition?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
One possible method is Newton's method but with this methods you have to made an initial stab at the solution in the first place (asymptotic analysis perhaps?) It works very well when it works and then you can just code up the BCs without a problem.

I have some initial MATLAB code you can have if you want.

Mat
 
Hey Mat,

Thanks very much for the response. So if I understand what you are saying. I should just finite difference the boundary condition have have a an algebraic equation for the boundary. Then solve this equation and all the equations I got from the interior using a Newton-Raphson iteration scheme. And I need to find some way to find an initial guess for the iteration. Is this what you mean?

I'm basically trying to do something like this now within Mathematica, and I just wasn't sure how to incorporate the surface BC. Is there a specific Finite Difference scheme to use at the boundary because let say I use central differencing. Won't that take me outside my boundary?

I'd like to see you're code if that's ok. Thanks again for the help.
 
Essentially that is the thing I am saying, the only other thing is the BC on the boundary, so split your interval up into N pieces and you want to know how to compute your derivative on the boundary point x_{N}. The wa yto go about this is to examine the point x_{N-\frac{1}{2}}.
The derivative is given by:
<br /> \frac{dy}{dx}\Big|_{x_{N-\frac{1}{2}}}=\frac{y_{N}-y_{N-1}}{h}<br />
Now the value of the derivative at N-1/2 is approximately the average of the derivatives at each side, so:
<br /> \frac{dy}{dx}\Big|_{x_{N-\frac{1}{2}}}=\frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\Big|_{x_{N}}+\frac{dy}{dx}\Big|_{x_{N-1}}\right)<br />
Then you use:
<br /> \frac{dy}{dx}\Big|_{x_{N-1}}=\frac{y_{N}-y_{N-2}}{2h}<br />
You solve for the thing you want
<br /> \frac{dy}{dx}\Big|_{x_{N}}=\frac{3y_{N}-4y_{N-1}+y_{N-2}}{2h}<br />

I have sent you my programs.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for explanation. It helps me to solve manually.
Would you share with me MATLAB code. Because of i couldn't write.
 
Check your mail on this site, I sent you the programs there.
 
:( there isn't any new message in my mail or site private message inbox :( Would you send again
 
I am at a conference currently and I will post it here so there is no mistakes.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K