학술논문

MATLAB GUI for computing Bessel functions using continued fractions algorithm
Document Type
article
Source
Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Física. March 2011 33(1)
Subject
Bessel functions
continued fraction
Matlab GUI
Language
English
ISSN
1806-1117
Abstract
Higher order Bessel functions are prevalent in physics and engineering and there exist different methods to evaluate them quickly and efficiently. Two of these methods are Miller's algorithm and the continued fractions algorithm. Miller's algorithm uses arbitrary starting values and normalization constants to evaluate Bessel functions. The continued fractions algorithm directly computes each value, keeping the error as small as possible. Both methods respect the stability of the Bessel function recurrence relations. Here we outline both methods and explain why the continued fractions algorithm is more efficient. The goal of this paper is both (1) to introduce the continued fractions algorithm to physics and engineering students and (2) to present a MATLAB GUI (Graphic User Interface) where this method has been used for computing the Semi-integer Bessel Functions and their zeros.