Analysis of four numerical schemes for a nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation (Q911733)

The authors consider the nonlinear Klein Gordon equation \(\phi_{tt}- \phi_{xx}+f(\phi)=0.\) They suggest four different types of finite difference approximation, and indicate the features which the solutions of these have in common with the solution of the original equation. They apply these ideas to the special case \(f(\phi)=m^ 2\phi +g\phi^ 3\) for a variety of values of m and g, and find that one of the schemes given, which involves energy conservation, produces particularly satisfactory results. This method is equally satisfactory for the initial value problem for \[ \frac{d^ 2x}{dt^ 2}=f(x). \]