Numerically solving non-linear problems by the homotopy analysis method

Abstract

In this paper, the Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM) proposed by Liao (1992a, 1992b, 1992c, 1992e, 1995a, 1997a) is greatly improved by introducing a nonzero variable ℏ. Based on the HAM, a new numerical approach for strongly non-linear problems is proposed and applied to solve, as an example, a non-linear heat transfer problem, i.e. microwave heating of an unit plate, so as to verify its validity and great potential. Our numerical experiments show that, by the proposed approach, iteration is not absolutely necessary for solving non-linear problems. This fact may deepen our understanding about numerical techniques for non-linear problems and widen our field of vision. Moreover, the basic ideas proposed in this paper may afford us a great possibility to greatly improve our current numerical techniques.