On the numerical inversion of Laplace transforms

Abstract

Three frequently used methods for numerically inverting Laplace transforms are tested on complicated transforms taken from the literature. The first method is a straightforward application of the trapezoidal rule to Bromwich's integral. The second method, developed by Weeks [22], integrates Bromwich's integral by using Laguerre polynomials. The third method, devised by Talbot [18], deforms Bromwich's contour so that the integrand of Bromwich's integral is small at the beginning and end of the contour. These methods are also applied to joint Laplace-Fourier transform problems. All three methods give satisfactory results; Talbot's, however, has an accurate method for choosing required parameters.