Dispersion and asymptotic properties of finite-difference approximations to Schrödinger equations (Q1603144)

Finite-difference approximations to dispersion wave equations, for example Schrödinger equations, exhibit artificial dispersion of discrete nature. In this case, the numerical dispersion in the high-frequency range of the spectrum may well compete with the natural dispersion. The domain in which the dispersion law remains qualitatively the same determines the range of asymptotic consistency of the discrete model. The author shows that reducing the dispersion error of a finite-difference method, by using a scheme of increased accuracy for Schrödinger type equations, does not improve the asymptotic properties of the method in the high-frequency range of the spectrum. This explains the well-known fact that schemes of increased accuracy admit the choice of large increments with respect to the space coordinates but require diminishing the time increment for achieving a given accuracy.