Fast geodesics computation with the phase flow method (Q860276)

A novel approach to compute a large number of geodesics on a smooth surface is introduced. It is based on the recently developed phase flow method [see \textit{L. Ying} and \textit{E. J. Candès}, J. Comput. Phys. 220, 184--215 (2006; Zbl 1110.65119)], an efficient technique for constructing phase maps (time-\(T\)-maps) of nonlinear ordinary differential equations on invariant manifolds. In the present paper, these invariant manifolds are the unit tangent bundles of the surfaces under consideration. The whole geodesic phase map is constructed, which enables the authors to compute any geodesic by local interpolation. Numerical experiments illuminate the study and demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.