A modified wide angle parabolic wave equation (Q1821521)

We demonstrate the implicit finite difference discretization of a higher order parabolic-like partial differential equation approximating the reduced wave equation in the far field and show that the discretization is unconditionally stable. We discuss a method of associating an angle of dispersion with parabolic approximations, present an example which can be used to compare methods on the basis of dispersion angle, and make comparisons among well-known methods and the new method.