"born" is a simulation of the lattice dynamics (free, undriven motion) of a one dimensional chain of masses and springs. Choices of initial condition allow the study of traveling or standing waves, and of traveling wave-packets and pulses. The distinction between phase and group velocities is clearly demonstrated. Either periodic or fixed boundary conditions may be used. "born" can also illustrate the local modes which result from introducing an impurity with a different mass, or an anharmonic quartic term in the potential.
"born" was programmed by Joerg Draeger and Russ Thompson, with help from Dan Vernon; the leapfrog code was from Jim Sethna.
About the SSS Project.
Table of contents for Chapter 4 of Simulations for Solid State Physics