Numerical inverse scattering for the focusing and defocusing nonlinear Schrödinger equations

Abstract

We solve the focusing and defocusing nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equations numerically by implementing the inverse scattering transform. The computation of the scattering data and of the NLS solution are both spectrally convergent. Initial conditions in a suitable space are treated. Using the approach of Biondini & Bui, we numerically solve homogeneous Robin boundary-value problems on the half line. Finally, using recent theoretical developments in the numerical approximation of Riemann-Hilbert problems, we prove that, under mild assumptions, our method of approximating solutions to the NLS equations is uniformly accurate in their domain of definition. © 2012 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.