On the numerical solution of the sine-Gordon equation. I: Integrable discretizations and homoclinic manifolds (Q1924695)

In this first of two papers on the numerical integration of the sine-Gordon equation the authors investigate the numerical behavior of a double-discrete, completely integrable discretization of this equation. The nature of potential instabilities relevant to particular initial values in the vicinity of homoclinic manifolds is clarified via analytical investigation, illustrated by numerical experiments. Perturbation analysis of the associated linear spectral problem shows that the initial values used for the numerical experiments lie exponentially close to a homoclinic manifold thus opening the way to use the nonlinear spectrum as a basis for comparing different numerical schemes (in the second paper to follow).