Efficient Collocation Schemes for Singular Boundary Value Problems

We discuss an error estimation procedure for the global error of collocation schemes applied to solve singular boundary value problems with a singularity of the first kind. This a posteriori estimate of the global error was proposed by Stetter in 1978 and is based on the idea of Defect Correction, originally due to Zadunaisky. Here, we present a new, carefully designed modification of this error estimate which not only results in less computational work but also appears to perform satisfactorily for singular problems. We give a full analytical justification for the asymptotical correctness of the error estimate when it is applied to a general nonlinear regular problem. For the singular case, we are presently only able to provide computational evidence for the full convergence order, the related analysis is still work in progress. This global estimate is the basis for a grid selection routine in which the grid is modified with the aim to equidistribute the global error. This procedure yields meshes suitable for an efficient numerical solution. Most importantly, we observe that the grid is refined in a way reflecting only the behavior of the solution and remains unaffected by the unsmooth direction field close to the singular point.     

The complexity of cutting complexes

This paper investigates the combinatorial and computational aspects of certain extremal geometric problems in two and three dimensions. Specifically, we examine the problem of intersecting a convex subdivision with a line in order to maximize the number of intersections. A similar problem is to maximize the number of intersected facets in a cross-section of a three-dimensional convex polytope. Related problems concern maximum chains in certain families of posets defined over the regions of a convex subdivision. In most cases we are able to prove sharp bounds on the asymptotic behavior of the corresponding extremal functions. We also describe polynomial algorithms for all the problems discussed.Bernard Chazelle wishes to acknowledge the National Science Foundation for supporting this research in part under Grant No. MCS83-03925. Herbert Edelsbrunner is pleased to acknowledge the support of Amoco Fnd. Fac. Dev. Comput. Sci. 1-6-44862.     

Rotating Charge Coupled to the Maxwell Field: Scattering Theory and Adiabatic Limit

We consider a spinning charge coupled to the Maxwell field. Through the appropriate symmetry in the initial conditions the charge remains at rest. We establish that any time-dependent finite energy solution converges to a sum of a soliton wave and an outgoing free wave. The convergence holds in global energy norm. Under a small constant external magnetic field the soliton manifold is stable in local energy seminorms and the evolution of the angular velocity is guided by an effective finite-dimensional dynamics. The proof uses a non-autonomous integral inequality method.     

Neighborhood Complexes and Generating Functions for Affine Semigroups

Given a₁,a₂,...,a_n ∈ ℤ^d$, we examine the set, G, of all non-negative integer combinations of these a_i. In particular, we examine the generating function f(z) = ∑_{b ∈ G}z_b. We prove that one can write this generating function as a rational function using the neighborhood complex (sometimes called the complex of maximal lattice-free bodies or the Scarf complex) on a particular lattice in ℤ_n. In the generic case, this follows from algebraic results of Bayer and Sturmfels. Here we prove it geometrically in all cases, and we examine a generalization involving the neighborhood complex on an arbitrary lattice.