Boundary algebraic equations for lattice problems

Abstract

Procedures for constructing boundary integral equations equivalent to linear boundary-value problems governed by partial differential equations are well established. In this paper, it is demonstrated how these procedures can be extended to linear boundary-value problems defined on lattices and governed by algebraic (‘difference’) equations. The boundary equations that arise are then themselves algebraic equations. Such ‘boundary algebraic equations’ (BAEs) are derived for fundamental boundary-value problems defined on both perfect lattices and lattices with defects. It is demonstrated that key advantages of representing a continuum boundary-value problem as an equation on the boundary, such as favourable spectral properties and minimal problem size, are preserved in the lattice environment. Certain spectral properties of BAEs are established rigorously, whereas others are supported by numerical experiments.