Paper detail

Efficient determination of the energy landscape of nonlinear Schrödinger-type equations

We describe a systematic approach for the efficient numerical solution of nonlinear Schrödinger-type partial differential equations of the form $(K +V + g|ψ|^2)ψ=0$, with an energy operator $K$, a scalar potential $V$, and a scalar parameter $g$. Instrumental to the approach are developments in numerical linear and nonlinear algebra, specifically numerical parameter continuation. We demonstrate how a continuous sequence of solutions can be obtained regardless of their stability, so that finally the spectrum of stable and unstable solutions in the specified parameter range is fully revealed. The method is demonstrated for the GL equation in a three-dimensional superconducting domain with an inhomogeneous magnetic field, a numerically demanding problem known to have an involved solution landscape.