Fully discrete methods for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (Q1336878)

A fully discrete method uses a Galerkin-finite element method for the spatial discretization and an implicit Runge-Kutta method (modified by replacing the nonlinear term by an expression involving only previously known quantities) for the time stepping. Hence the scheme is implicit in the linear term and explicit in the nonlinear term. The paper defines the related scheme and establishes the order of convergence (the temporal rates of convergence are those of the classical nonstiff problems, thus obviating the order reduction phenomenon occurring in similar situations). Further, the paper indicates how the results can be extended to handle the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with periodic boundary conditions. Finally, numerical experiments (for a special cubic equation with an initial value whose modulus is a solitary wave of prescribed amplitude, moving to the right), designed to measure the performance of the methods, are described in appropriate detail.