Accurate numerical solution of compressible, linear stability equations

The present investigation is concerned with a fourth order accurate finite difference method and its application to the study of the temporal and spatial stability of the three-dimensional compressible boundary layer flow on a swept wing. This method belongs to the class of compact two-point difference schemes discussed by White (1974) and Keller (1974). The method was apparently first used for solving the two-dimensional boundary layer equations. Attention is given to the governing equations, the solution technique, and the search for eigenvalues. A general purpose subroutine is employed for solving a block tridiagonal system of equations. The computer time can be reduced significantly by exploiting the special structure of two matrices.