A fictitious domain approach to the numerical solution of PDEs in stochastic domains

We present an efficient method for the numerical realization of elliptic PDEs in domains depending on random variables. Domains are bounded, and have finite fluctuations. The key feature is the combination of a fictitious domain approach and a polynomial chaos expansion. The PDE is solved in a larger, fixed domain (the fictitious domain), with the original boundary condition enforced via a Lagrange multiplier acting on a random manifold inside the new domain. A (generalized) Wiener expansion is invoked to convert such a stochastic problem into a deterministic one, depending on an extra set of real variables (the stochastic variables). Discretization is accomplished by standard mixed finite elements in the physical variables and a Galerkin projection method with numerical integration (which coincides with a collocation scheme) in the stochastic variables. A stability and convergence analysis of the method, as well as numerical results, are provided. The convergence is “spectral” in the polynomial chaos order, in any subdomain which does not contain the random boundaries.     

Large deviations of interacting particle systems in infinite volume

We prove a large deviation theorem from the hydrodynamical limit for the empirical measure of Ginzburg-Landau and zero range processes in infinite volume starting from deterministic initial configurations. In the Ginzburg-Landau case the main tool is the study of the evolution of the H_?1 norm and in the zero range case the attractiveness which allows couplings.     

Fixed point theorems under the interior condition

We show a fixed point theorem for condensing mappings under a new condition of the Leray-Schauder type. We call it the Interior Condition. We also discuss examples that demonstrate the independence of these two conditions.

     

The rotational-conformational distribution of 2,2'-bithienyl in liquid crystals

We have investigated the distribution of conformations and orientations for a simple internal rotor molecule, 2,2'-bithienyl dissolved in liquid crystal solvents, by re-analysing published proton dipolar coupling data with the maximum entropy internal order method (MEIO). We show that detailed, model independent, conformational information can be obtained when data of sufficiently high quality are available. We also propose a novel and convenient representation method for the orientational-conformational coupling.     

Semantic incompleteness of quantum physics and EPR-like paradoxes

In the approach to quantum physics (QP) forwarded by the author ana priori formalization of the observative language of the theory is yielded. It is shown here that this formalization allows one to avoid both ontological realism and verificationism, which are the philosophically opposed positions that are usually assumed in the debate on the paradoxes that seem to follow from the analysis of the Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen (EPR) thought experiment. Some recent results are summarized (in particular, the semantical incompleteness of QP) obtained by the author in the framework of the aforesaid approach, and it is shown that they can be used in order to deal with some EPR-like paradoxes. Thus one can legitimately affirm that at least some of them can be a consequence of semantical ambiguities and of the acceptance of a philosophical dichotomy which is not logically unavoidable.     

Reflection of light by a slab containing electrically small dielectric spheres

Theoriginal and theenhanced Maxwell-Garnett estimates for the permittivity of a particulate medium are applied to the reflection of light by a composite dielectric slab. The reflection coefficients for incident s and p polarizations are calculated and some curves are plotted and discussed.     

Zero-temperature Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in a two-dimensional quantum system

We construct a local interacting quantum dimer model on the square lattice, whose zero-temperature phase diagram is characterized by a line of critical points separating two ordered phases of the valence bond crystal type. On one side, the line of critical points terminates in a quantum transition inherited from a Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in an associated classical model. We also discuss the effect of a longer-range dimer interaction that can be used to suppress the line of critical points by gradually shrinking it to a single point. Finally, we propose a way to generalize the quantum Hamiltonian to a dilute dimer model in presence of monomers and we qualitatively discuss the phase diagram.     

SDP diagonalizations and perspective cuts for a class of nonseparable MIQP

We present a new approach, requiring the solution of a SemiDefinite Program, for decomposing the Hessian of a nonseparable mixed-integer quadratic problem to permit using perspective cuts to improve its continuous relaxation bound. The new method favorably compares with a previously proposed one requiring a minimum eigenvalue computation.     

Space-time evolution of hadronization in DIS: Semi-exclusive processes and grey track production

Semi-exclusive processes and grey track production in DIS off nuclear targets are analyzed as possible tools to investigate the space time evolution of hadronization.     

BRST cohomology in classical mechanics

The classical (non-quantum) cohomology of the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) symmetry in phase space is defined and worked out. No group action for the gauge transformations is assumed. The results cover, therefore, the general case of an open algebra and are valid off-shell. Each cohomology class contains all BRST invariant functions with fixed ghost number (an integer) which differ from each other by a BRST variation. If the ghost number is negative there is only the trivial class whose elements are equivalent to zero. If the ghost number is positive or zero there is a bijective correspondence between the BRST classes and those of the exterior derivative along the gauge orbits. These gauge orbits lie in the phase space surface on which the gauge generators are constrained to vanish. The BRST invariant functions of ghost numberp are then related to closedp-forms along the orbits. The addition of a BRST variation corresponds to the addition of an exact form. Some comments about the quantum case are included. The physical meaning of the classes with ghost number greater than zero is not discussed.Chercheur qualifié du Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (Belgium)