A general semi-analytic method is suggested to obtain the solitary wav
e solutions for some kinds of nonlinear equations, by the combination
of the function-series method and the simulated annealing technique. T
he validity and reliability of the method are tested by applying it to
the study of a generalized phi(4) equation. With the proper boundary
and initial conditions, pulse-, kink- and breather-like solitons and t
heir combinations are obtained. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.