Application of the BPES to Lane–Emden equations governing polytropic and isothermal gas spheres

We apply the Boubaker Polynomials Expansion Scheme (BPES) in order to obtain analytical–numerical solutions to two separate Lane–Emden problems: the Lane–Emden initial value problem of the first kind (describing the gravitational potential of a self-gravitating spherically symmetric polytropic gas), the Lane–Emden initial value problem of the second kind (describing isothermal gas spheres embedded in a pressurized medium at the maximum possible mass allowing for hydrostatic equilibrium). Both types of problems are simultaneously singular and nonlinear, and hence can be challenging to solve either numerically or analytically. We find that the BPES allows us to compute numerical solutions to both types of problems, and an error analysis demonstrates the accuracy of the method. In all cases, we demonstrate that relative error can be controlled to less than 1%. Furthermore, we compare our results to those of Hunter (2001). [Hunter, C., 2001. Series solutions for polytropes and the isothermal sphere. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 328 839–847] and Mirza (2009). Approximate analytical solutions of the Lane–Emden equation for a self-gravitating isothermal gas sphere. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 395 2288–2291. in order to demonstrate the accuracy of our method.

► Boubaker Polynomials Expansion Scheme (BPES) used to solve Lane–Emden problems. ► An error analysis demonstrates the accuracy of the method. ► Results compared to those of Hunter [MNRAS 328 (2001) 839] and Mirza [MNRAS 395 (2009) 2288]. ► BPES can be a useful tool solving nonlinear problems arising in physics and astronomy.