High-Order Matrix Numerov for Singular Potentials

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Author: Barnea, Nir
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Barnea, Nir
author_facet Barnea, Nir
contents The matrix Numerov method provides an efficient framework for solving the time-independent Schrödinger equation as a matrix eigenvalue problem. However, for singular potentials such as the Coulomb interaction, the expected fourth-order convergence deteriorates for low angular momenta due to the behavior of the potential near the origin. We show that this loss of accuracy originates from an implicit boundary assumption in the standard formulation. By incorporating analytic near-origin information into the discretized Hamiltonian, we derive simple boundary corrections that restore fourth-order convergence and can even produce higher convergence rates for $s$- and $p$-wave energies. The resulting scheme preserves the simplicity and computational efficiency of the original method while significantly improving its accuracy for singular potentials.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_09350
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle High-Order Matrix Numerov for Singular Potentials
Barnea, Nir
Atomic Physics
Nuclear Theory
The matrix Numerov method provides an efficient framework for solving the time-independent Schrödinger equation as a matrix eigenvalue problem. However, for singular potentials such as the Coulomb interaction, the expected fourth-order convergence deteriorates for low angular momenta due to the behavior of the potential near the origin. We show that this loss of accuracy originates from an implicit boundary assumption in the standard formulation. By incorporating analytic near-origin information into the discretized Hamiltonian, we derive simple boundary corrections that restore fourth-order convergence and can even produce higher convergence rates for $s$- and $p$-wave energies. The resulting scheme preserves the simplicity and computational efficiency of the original method while significantly improving its accuracy for singular potentials.
title High-Order Matrix Numerov for Singular Potentials
topic Atomic Physics
Nuclear Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.09350