from
Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
wiggles
n.
[scientific computation] In solving partial differential equations by
finite difference and similar methods, wiggles are sawtooth
(up-down-up-down) oscillations at the shortest wavelength
representable on the grid. If an algorithm is unstable, this is often
the most unstable waveform, so it grows to dominate the solution.
Alternatively, stable (though inaccurate) wiggles can be generated
near a discontinuity by a Gibbs phenomenon.
from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
wiggles
[scientific computation] In solving partial differential
equations by finite difference and similar methods, wiggles
are sawtooth (up-down-up-down) oscillations at the shortest
wavelength representable on the grid. If an algorithm is
unstable, this is often the most unstable waveform, so it
grows to dominate the solution. Alternatively, stable (though
inaccurate) wiggles can be generated near a discontinuity by a
Gibbs phenomenon.