Exponential Asymptotics using Numerical Rational Approximation in Linear Differential Equations

Abstract: Singularly-perturbed ordinary differential equations often exhibit Stokes' phenomenon, which describes the appearance and disappearance of oscillating exponentially small terms across curves in the complex plane known as Stokes curves. These curves originate at singular points in the leading-order solution to the differential equation. In many important problems, it is impossible to obtain a closed-form expression for these leading-order solutions, and it is therefore challenging to locate these singular points. We present evidence that the analytic leading-order solution of a linear differential equation can be replaced with a rational approximation based on a numerical leading-order solution using the adaptive Antoulas-Anderson (AAA) method. We show that the subsequent exponential asymptotic analysis accurately predicts the exponentially small behaviour present in the solution. We explore the limitations of this approach, and show that for sufficiently small values of the asymptotic parameter, this approach breaks down; however, the range of validity may be extended by increasing the number of poles in the rational approximation. We finish by presenting a related nonlinear problem and discussing the challenges that arise when attempting to apply this method to nonlinear problems.