A conjugate gradient method for solving the non-LTE line radiation transfer problem

This study concerns the fast and accurate solution of the line radiation transfer problem, under non-LTE conditions. We propose and evaluate an alternative iterative scheme to the classical ALI-Jacobi method, and to the more recently proposed Gauss-Seidel and successive over-relaxation (GS/SOR) sche...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin) 2009-12, Vol.507 (3), p.1815-1818
Main Authors: Paletou, F., Anterrieu, E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astrophysics
methods: numerical
Physics
radiative transfer
Sciences of the Universe
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Summary:This study concerns the fast and accurate solution of the line radiation transfer problem, under non-LTE conditions. We propose and evaluate an alternative iterative scheme to the classical ALI-Jacobi method, and to the more recently proposed Gauss-Seidel and successive over-relaxation (GS/SOR) schemes. Our study is indeed based on applying a preconditioned bi-conjugate gradient method (BiCG-P). Standard tests, in 1D plane parallel geometry and in the frame of the two-level atom model with monochromatic scattering are discussed. Rates of convergence between the previously mentioned iterative schemes are compared, as are their respective timing properties. The smoothing capability of the BiCG-P method is also demonstrated.
ISSN:0004-6361
1432-0746
1432-0756
DOI:10.1051/0004-6361/200912491