title: Neumann nodal domains.
abstract: As an alternative to nodal domains in the usual sense, we propose a partition of the domain of a real-valued eigenfunction in R2 by trajectories of the gradient, linking saddle points to extrema. Its most elementary properties are listed and exemplified. The main point is that the problem of avoided crossings is largely eliminated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A&M University, , College Station, TX 77843-3368, USA.
authors.forename: Ross B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Fulling
keywords: eigenfunction; node; saddle point