Numerical solution of a diffusion problem by exponentially fitted finite difference methods

Springerplus. 2014 Aug 11:3:425. doi: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-425. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

This paper is focused on the accurate and efficient solution of partial differential differential equations modelling a diffusion problem by means of exponentially fitted finite difference numerical methods. After constructing and analysing special purpose finite differences for the approximation of second order partial derivatives, we employed them in the numerical solution of a diffusion equation with mixed boundary conditions. Numerical experiments reveal that a special purpose integration, both in space and in time, is more accurate and efficient than that gained by employing a general purpose solver.

Keywords: Diffusion problems; Exponentially fitted methods; Finite difference methods; Partial differential equations.