Symmetry-preserving numerical schemes

Abstract

In these lectures we review two procedures for constructing finite difference numerical schemes that preserve symmetries of differential equations. The first approach is based on Lie's infinitesimal symmetry generators, while the second method uses the novel theory of equivariant moving frames. The advantages of both techniques are discussed and illustrated with the Schwarzian differential equation, the Korteweg-de Vries equation and Burgers' equation. Numerical simulations are presented and innovative techniques for obtaining better invariant numerical schemes are introduced. New research directions and open problems are indicated at the end of these notes.

55 pages, 6 figures; lecture notes presented at the SIDE12 summer school ASIDE at the Université de Montréal