Propagation and stability of wavelike solutions of finite difference equations with variable coefficients (Q1069680)

An asymptotic approach is used to analyze the propagation and dissipation of wavelike solutions to partial difference equations of the form \(L_ jU^ n_ j=0\), where \(L_ j\equiv \sum_{m,p}C_{mp}(x)E_{mx}E_{pt}\), with \(E_{mx}\) and \(E_{pt}\) denoting the respective m x-shift and p t-shift of the function \(U^ n_ j\equiv u(x_ j,t_ n).\) It is shown that, to first order, the amplitude of a wave is convected at the local group velocity. Asymptotic boundary conditions coupling the amplitudes of different wave solutions are also derived. Numerical experiments indicate the validity of the asymptotic approach used and a stability analysis is provided.