Symplectic integrators: Rotations and roundoff errors (Q1286873)

We investigate the numerical implementation of a symplectic integrator combined with a rotation (as in the case of an elongated rotating primary). We show that a straightforward implementation of the rotation as a matrix multiplication destroys the conservative property of the global integrator, due to roundoff errors. There exists a KAM-like theorem for twist maps, where the angle of rotation is a function of the radius. This theorem proves the existence of invariant tori which confine the orbit and prevent shifts in radius. We replace the rotation by a twist map or a combination of shears that display the same kind of behaviour and show that we are able not only to recover the conservative properties of the rotation, but also make it more efficient in terms of computing time. Next we test the shear combination together with symplectic integrator of order 2, 4, and 6 on a Keplerian orbit.