Unlike-particle collision operator for gyrokinetic particle simulations

Plasmas in modern tokamak experiments contain a significant fraction of impurity ion species in addition to main deuterium background. A new unlike-particle collision operator for δf particle simulation has been developed to self-consistently study the non-local effects of impurities on neoclassical transport in toroidal plasmas. A new algorithm for simulation of cross-collisions between different ion species includes test-particle and conserving field-particle operators. The field-particle operator is designed to enforce conservation of number, momentum and energy. It was shown that the new operator correctly simulates the thermal equilibration of different plasma components. It was verified that the ambipolar radial electric field reaches steady state when the total radial guiding center particle current vanishes.     

Collisional gyrokinetic full-f particle-in-cell simulations on open field lines with PICLS

Applying gyrokinetic simulations in theoretical turbulence and transport studies for the plasma edge and scrape-off layer (SOL) presents significant challenges. To particularly account for steep density and temperature gradients in the SOL, the “full-f” code PICLS was developed. PICLS is a gyrokinetic particle-in-cell (PIC) code, is based on an electrostatic model with a linearized field equation, and uses kinetic electrons. In previously published results, we applied PICLS to the well-studied 1D parallel transport problem during an edge-localized mode (ELM) in the SOL without collisions. As an extension to this collision-less case and in preparation for 3D simulations, in this work, a collisional model will be introduced. The implemented Lenard–Bernstein collision operator and its Langevin discretization will be shown. Conservation properties of the collision operator, as well as a comparison of the collisional and non-collisional case, will be discussed.     

Existence theory of the linear equations appearing in the Chapman-Enskog solutions to two kinetic equations for liquids

The linear operators appearing in the Chapman-Enskog solutions to Kirkwood's Fokker-Planck kinetic equation and to Rice and Allnatt's kinetic equation are studied in this article. Existence proofs are given for the linearized Chapman-Enskog equations involving either the Fokker-Planck or the Rice-Allnatt operators. It is shown that the Fokker-Planck and Rice-Allnatt operators, defined in the domain appropriate to kinetic theory, are essentially self-adjoint. It is also shown that the spectrum of either of these operators coincides with the spectrum of the self-adjoint extension of the corresponding operator.Sloan Foundation Fellow 1968–70. Guggenheim Fellow 1969–70.     

Synchronization of a large number of continuous one-dimensional stochastic elements with time-delayed mean-field coupling

We study synchronization as a means of control of collective behavior of an ensemble of coupled stochastic units in which oscillations are induced merely by external noise. For a large number of one-dimensional continuous stochastic elements coupled non-homogeneously through the mean field with delay we developed an approach to find a boundary of synchronization domain and the frequency of the mean-field oscillations on it. Namely, the exact location of the synchronization threshold is shown to be a solution of the boundary value problem (BVP) which was derived from the linearized Fokker-Planck equation. Here the synchronization threshold is found by solving this BVP numerically. Approximate analytics is obtained by expanding the solution of the linearized Fokker-Planck equation into a series of eigenfunctions of the stationary Fokker-Planck operator. Bistable systems with a polynomial and piece-wise linear potential are considered as examples. Multistability and hysteresis in the mean-field behavior are observed in the stochastic network at finite noise intensities. In the limit of small noise intensities the critical coupling strength is shown to remain finite, provided that the delay in the coupling function is not infinitely small. Delay in the coupling term can be used as a control parameter that manipulates the location of the synchronization threshold.     

The approach to hard-sphere brownian motion: Variational eigenfunctions and evaluation of the Rayleigh-Fokker-Planck equation

We present detailed tabulations of the first few eigenfunctions of the hard-sphere energy scattering kernel for a test-particle in a background heat-bath. Calculations, for a range of heat bath/test particle mass-ratios between $\text{1}\text{8}$ and $\text{1}\text{1024}$, were carried out by a Rayleigh-Ritz method using the exact solutions of the hard-sphere Fokker-Planck equation as a basis set and supplement our previously-published results for the eigenvalues alone. The results, given as expansion coefficients in this representation thus also serve to verify the accuracy of the Fokker-Planck equation itself, the departure from this equation being reflected in the off-diagonal contributions in the Rayleigh-Ritz expansion eigenvectors.As expected, the tendency towards brownian motion behaviour with decrease in the mass-ratio parameter shows itself in a progressive convergence of a larger and larger subset of the true eigenfunctions to the corresponding Fokker-Planck set, beginning with the eigenvalue of lowest index. The class of probability distributions whose evolution is satisfactory predicted by the Fokker-Planck equation is then precisely the class that can be adequately expanded in terms of this incomplete subset. In keeping with the approximations introduced in the derivation of the Fokker-Planck equation and the qualitative nature of the hard-sphere eigenvalue spectrum, the results confirm quantitatively the considerable restrictions which the former imposes upon acceptable solution functions, excluding in particular both short-time behaviour and solutions of insufficient smoothness. A mean-square criterion for accuracy of the Fokker-Planck solutions is suggested and examined in the light of our numerical results.     

Kinetic theory of diffusion in liquids: A hydrodynamic approximation

Diffusion in simple classical liquids is analyzed in terms of the test-particle phase-space density, with emphasis upon its long-time behavior. The Green's function of the generalized Fokker-Planck equation is used to define auxiliary quantities, in particular the transport mean path that enters solutions of the Chapman-Enskog type. Approximations for the lowest eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the Fourier- and Laplace-transformed F.-P. operator σ_ks are constructed, and an expansion for the resolvent operator (s + ik · v ? σ_ks)^-1 proposed. With the additional assumption that branch-points on the negative real axis of s are the only singularities of the transformed F.-P. operator, a Laplace inversion is tentatively carried out, so that the general form of the solution is obtained. This is found to agree with the solution derived by hydrodynamic arguments. Only in a limited sense is the latter method equivalent to that of mode-mode coupling.     

Quantum mechanical masterequation and Fokker-Planck equation for the damped harmonic oscillator

For the statistical operator of the damped harmonic oscillator a Masterequation is given in operator form describing both inelastic and elastic, purely phase destroying processes. By expressing the statistical operator in the diagonal representation with respect toGlauber's coherent states the Masterequation is transformed into a Fokker-Planck equation forGlauber's quasiprobability distribution function. The general solution of this Fokker-Planck equation is calculated. It is shown how the solution of a Masterequation can be used for calculating correlation functions and expressions are given for the amplitude and intensity correlation functions which are in complete formal agreement with the corresponding classical formulae.     

A new formalism for the statistical dynamics of planar spin systems

The relaxational dynamics of a classical planar Heisenberg spin system is studied using the Fokker-Planck equation. A new approach is introduced in which we attempt to directly calculate the eigenvalues of the Fokker-Planck operator. In this connection a number space representation is introduced, which enables us to visualize the eigenvalue structure of the Fokker-Planck operator. The mean field approximation is derived and a systematic method to improve the mean field approximation is presented.     

A new formalism for the statistical dynamics of vector spin systems

The relaxational dynamics of a classical vector Heisenberg spin system is studied using the Fokker-Planck equation. To calculate the eigenvalues of the Fokker-Planck operator, a new approach is introduced. In this connection, a number space repesentation is introduced, which enables us to visualize the eigenvalue structure of the Fokker-Planck operator. The mean field approximation is derived and a systematic method to improve the mean field approximation is presented.     

Stochastic quantization and detailed balance in Fokker-Planck dynamics

The path integral and operator formulations of the Fokker-Planck equation are considered as stochastic quantizations of underlying Euler-Lagrange equations. The operator formalism is derived from the path integral formalism. It is proved that the Euler-Lagrange equations are invariant under time reversal if detailed balance holds and it is shown that the irreversible behavior is introduced through the stochastic quantization. To obtain these results for the nonconstant diffusion Fokker-Planck equation, a transformation is introduced to reduce it to a constant diffusion Fokker-Planck equation. Critical comments are made on the stochastic formulation of quantum mechanics.     

Solutions of the Fokker-Planck equation in detailed balance

The solutions of the Fokker-Planck equation in detailed balance are investigated. Firstly the necessary and sufficient conditions obtained by Graham and Haken are derived by an alternative method. An equivalent form of these conditions in terms of an operator equation for the Fokker-Planck Liouville operator is given. Next, the transition probability is expanded in terms of an biorthogonal set of eigenfunctions of a certain operatorL. The necessary and sufficient conditions for detailed balance leads to a simple operator equation forL. This operator equation guarantees that on!y half of the biorthogonal set needs to be calculated. Finally the dependence of the eigenvalues on the reversible and irreversible drift coefficient is discussed.     

On the noise operator approach to quantized dissipative systems

Invoking complex classical coordinates and momenta a consistent Hamiltonian theory suitable for the quantization of dissipative systems has been developed previously. In another paper this formalism has been illustrated on the basis of a simple order parameter equation by means of density operator techniques. This quite naturally calls for a comparison with quantum noise operator techniques. The present paper is an attempt to satisfy these demands. Extensive use will be made of operator ordering techniques and quasi-classical Fokker-Planck equations. As before, a certain incompleteness in the extractable information is clearly exhibited. It will be observed that the two techniques do not produce similar results in a general dynamical state as a consequence of dissipation. However, in the stationary state and within certain approximations both methods do lead to identical conclusions for the order parameters statistics. It will be argued that within the present context in general noise operator techniques are to be favoured.     

Stochastic quantization and path integral formulation of Fokker-Planck equation

The operator formalism (Fokker-Planck dynamics) associated to a general n-dimensional, non-linear drift, non-constant diffusion Fokker-Planck equation, is derived by a stochastic quantization from the corresponding path integral formulation in phase space.     

Derivation of Smoluchowski equations with corrections for Fokker-Planck and BGK collision models

The time evolution of the phase space distribution function for a classical particle in contact with a heat bath and in an external force field can be described by a kinetic equation. From this starting point, for either Fokker-Planck or BGK (Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook) collision models, we derive, with a projection operator technique, Smoluchowski equations for the configuration space density with corrections in reciprocal powers of the friction constant. For the Fokker-Planck model our results in Laplace space agree with Brinkman, and in the time domain, with Wilemski and Titulaer. For the BGK model, we find that the leading term is the familiar Smoluchowski equation, but the first correction term differs from the Fokker-Planck case primarily by the inclusion of a fourth order space derivative or super Burnett term. Finally, from the corrected Smoluchowski equations for both collision models, in the spirit of Kramers, we calculate the escape rate over a barrier to fifth order in the reciprocal friction constant, for a particle initially in a potential well.     

Lie Algebraic Solution of Nonlinear Fokker-Planck Equation

The algebraic structure for nonlinear Fokker-Planck equation is discussed. By using Lie algebraic techniques, the exponent operator equation can be decomposed. A time evolution solution of nonlinear Brownian motion is given and can be compared with other theories.     

A fast solver for the gyrokinetic field equation with adiabatic electrons

Describing turbulence and microinstabilities in fusion devices is often modelled with the gyrokinetic equation. During the time evolution of the distribution function a field equation for the electrostatic potential needs to be solved. In the case of adiabatic electrons it contains a flux-surface-average term resulting in an integro-differential equation. Its numerical solution is time and memory intensive for three-dimensional configurations. Here a new algorithm is presented which only requires the numerical inversion of a simpler differential operator and a subsequent addition of a correction term. This new procedure is as fast as solving the equation without the surface average.     

Quantum statistical treatment of multimode self-pulsing in optical systems

We elaborate a formalism which is appropriate to describe the effects of quantum noise in multimode optical instabilities. The multimode Fokker-Planck equation is reformulated in terms of suitable “dressed mode” variables, which diagonalize the linearized part of the drift matrix. We work out explicitly the relations of our formalism with the quantum theory of multiwave mixing.     

The kinetics of hole-burning in semiconductor lasers

It is shown that the nonequilibrium electron distributions of a lasing semiconductor can be calculated from a linearized Boltzmann equation for the intraband Coulombcollision rate. A successive expansion for small momentum transfer yields an integro-differential equation, whose differential part is the usual Fokker-Planck equation. The additional integral part assures the conservation of the total momentum and energy of the electron gas. A formal solution of the resulting kinetic equation is given from which one can calculate the hole burned into the electron distribution by the laser field.     

On the theory of a detuned single mode laser near threshold

A theory of a detuned single mode laser near threshold is given using the Fokker-Planck equation technique. The Fokker-Planck equation is solved by an eigenfunction expansion. The eigenfunctions and the corresponding eigenvalues are determined by a nonhermitian operator and are calculated numerically in the threshold region. The dependence of the linewidth from the detuning is shown. In the intensity distribution the detuning enters only via a change of the scaling parameter. For the linewidth, however, an additional broadening is found. Finally it is shown that in certain cases the correlation function must not be approximated by a single exponential term.