FINITE-ELEMENT METHOD VERSUS FINITE-DIFFERENCE METHODS - THEORETICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF SOME MODELS OF POTENTIAL OF BIOLOGICAL INTEREST

In view of evaluating the specific advantages of the finite difference methods and the finite element method (FEM) in the resolution of the Schrodinger nuclear equation, we performed accurate investigations of some one-dimensional multi-well potentials. Two finite difference meth ods were used: an Adams method and the powerful Numerov-Cooley method. The FEM investigations were carried out with quadratic interpolation functions and the shooting method was used in place of the usual algor ithms.