A novel approach to the kinetic theory and hydrodynamic turbulence

The Boltzmann equation is interpreted in terms of certain correlation functions known as product densities. This novel approach, besides leading to a simple proof of the fluctuation theorem, enables us to make certain definite predictions regarding gases and liquids not at local equilibrium. In particular, the origin of turbulence is manifestly shown to lie within the realms of kinetic theory.     

A stochastic approach to the kinetic theory of gases

A theory of fluctuations in non-equilibrium diluted gases is presented. The velocity distribution function is treated as a stochastic variable and a master equation for its probability is derived. This evolution equation is based on two processes: binary hard sphere collisions and free flow. A mean-field approximation leads to a non-linear master equation containing explicitly a parameter which represents the spatial correlation length of the fluctuations. An infinite hierarchy of equations for the successive moments is found. If the correlation length is sufficiently short a truncation after the first equation is possible and this leads to the Boltzmann kinetic equation. The associated probability distribution is Poissonian. As to the fluctuation of the macroscopic quantities, an approximation scheme permits to recover the Langevin approach of fluctuating hydrodynamics near equilibrium and its fluctuation-dissipation relations.     

A simplified approach to kinetic theory of dense fluids

Time correlation functions may be related to the fluctuating force correlation function in the sub-ensemble with fixed initial particle velocity. The latter may be evaluated by following the trajectories of particle pairs in the fluid.     

Contribution to the nonlinear theory of sound and hydrodynamic turbulence of a compressible liquid

The interaction of sound with hydrodynamic turbulence has been studied in detail. The sound absorption decrement, the correlation time and length and the frequency diffusion coefficient for the acoustic wave packet are calculated. The spectral composition of the sound radiated by a unit, turbulent volume and the spectral energy density of sound in equilibrium with the turbulence are studied. The region of applicability of the kinetic equation for sound with a linear dispersion low is found.     

A kinetic theory of a relativistic plasma. II

A covariant formulation of the relativistic statistical mechanics of charged particles is developed on the basis of the tetradic method, which corresponds to the super-many-time formalism of Tomonaga known in quantum theory.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 5, pp. 29–31, May, 1981.     

Stochastic approach to the kinetic theory of condensation

The nonequilibrium statistical operator method in conjunction with the theory of physical FrenkelBand groups is used to derive a stochastic equation that describes the kinetics of nucleation.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 6, pp. 139–142, June, 1977.     

On the approach to kinetic theory due to Gross

A classical kinetic theory introduced by Gross is explored in further detail. The theory consists of a sequence of approximations to the Liouville distribution function, with each approximation leading to a truncation of the BBGKY hierarchy at successively higher order. We formulate the truncation scheme at general order in terms of a set of time-dependent equilibrium correlation functions. It has the correct symmetries and, as is implied by the work of Gross with the first two approximations, is such that the interparticle potential appears only implicitly via static equilibrium correlation functions. We arrange the theory as a sequence of linear kinetic equations for the phase-space density correlation function, and solve for the collision kernels which result in each order. The collision kernel of the second approximation, which involves only binary dynamics, is shown to be a mean-field generalization of the known low-density kernel. The third approximation gives a similar generalization of the triple-collision kernel. The nth approximation also reproduces the frequency moments of S(kω) through order ω²ⁿ. More generally, the approximations are shown to give a continued-fraction expansion of the collision kernel, with the levels governed by the dynamics of successively larger numbers of particles. This is a renormalized kinetic theory in the sense that the potential is eliminated and clusters of particles are never isolated.     

A new approach to the theory of relativity. II. The general theory of relativity

The considerations of Part I are extended and the experimental data and hypotheses that led to the establishment of the general theory of relativity are analyzed. It is found that one of the fundamental assumptions is that light is propagated homogeneously; i.e., by using arbitrary systems of coordinates, propagation of light can be represented by a homogeneous quadratic form. This is shown to be an assumption that can be verified by experiment, at least in principle. As a result of adding a number of further assumptions to this, the usual formalism of the general theory of relativity can be established. In the above point of view, the general theory of relativity—like any other theory—cannot be built upad hoc, but is built on distinct physical hypotheses, each of which can be subjected to test by experiment.     

A novel approach to confront electroweak data and theory

A novel approach to study electroweak physics at one-loop level in generic SU(2)_L×U(1)_Y theories is introduced. It separates the 1-loop corrections into two pieces: process specific ones from vertex and box contributions, and universal ones from contributions to the gauge boson propagators. The latter are parametrized in terms of four effective form factors $\bar e^2 (q^2 ), \bar s^2 (q^2 ), \bar g_Z^2 (q^2 )$ and $\bar g_W^2 (q^2 )$ corresponding to the γγ, γZ,ZZ andWW propagators. Under the assumption that only the Standard Model contributes to the process specific corrections, the magnitudes of the four form factors are determined atq ²=0 and atq ²=m _Z ² by fitting to all available precision experiments. These values are then compared systematically with predictions of SU(2)_L×U(1)_Y theories. In all fits α _s (m _Z ) and $\bar \alpha (m_Z^2 )$ are treated as external parameters in order to keep the interpretation as flexible as possible. The treatment of the electroweak data is presented in detail together with the relevant theoretical formulae used to interpret the data. No deviation from the Standard Model has been identified. Ranges of the top quark and Higgs boson masses are derived as functions of α _s (m _Z ) and $\bar \alpha (m_Z^2 )$ . Also discussed are consequences of the recent precision measurement of the left-right asymmetry at SLC as well as the impact of a top quark mass and an improvedW mass measurement.     

A background-dependent approach to the theory of gravitation II. Relativistic gravitational equations

On the basis of the results of Paper I and guided by a Machian view of nature, we find new gravitational equations which are background dependent. Such equations describe a purely geometrical theory of gravitation, and their dependence on the background structure is through the total energy-momentum tensor on the past sheet of the light cone of each space-time pointx [θ^μν x, say], i.e., through the integral on the past sheet of the light cone ofx of the parallel transport of the energy-momentum tensor from the space-time point in which it is defined tox along the geodesic connecting the two space-time points. Following Gürsey, we assume that the source of the De Sitter metric is not the cosmological term, but, rather, the energy-momentum tensor of a “uniform distribution of mass scintillations” [T ^μν x, say].T ^μν x, indeed, turns out to be equal to the metric tensor times a constant factor. As a consequence, in any local inhomogeneity A of a space-time whose background structure is determined by the Perfect Cosmological Principle,θ ^μν turns out to be approximately equal to the metric tensor times a constant factor, providedT=g _αβ T ^αβ is sufficiently small and the structure of the past sheet of the light cones of the space-time points belonging to Λ is not too much perturbed by the local gravitational field. As a consequence, in Λ the new equations approximately reduce to Einstein's equations. If one considers a “superuniverse model” in which our universe is considered as a local inhomogeneity in a De Sitter background, then from the above result there follows a fortiori the agreement of the new gravitational equations with the classical tests of gravitation. Furthermore, the dependence on the background structure is such that the new equations (i) incorporate the idea that the frame has to be fixeddirectly in connection with cosmological observations, and (ii) are singular in the absence of matter in the whole space-time. Moreover, (iii) the coupling constant turns out to be dimensionless in natural units (c=1=?), and (iv) a local inertial frame in a De Sitter background is determined by the condition that with respect to it the background structure is homogeneous in space and in time and is Lorentz invariant.     

A shell-model approach to fractal-induced turbulence

We present a shell-model of fractal induced turbulence which predicts that structure function scaling exponents decrease in absolute value as the fractal dimension of the turbulence-inducing fractal object increases. This qualitative prediction is in agreement with laboratory measurements. Finer details of the fractal induced turbulence statistics and dynamics depend on the fractal force's phases, i.e. on the detailed construction of the fractal stirrer. In a case of deterministic forcing phases, a critical fractal dimension exists below which the average rate of inter-scale energy transfer <T _n> is a decreasing function of the wavenumber k_n and the structure function scaling exponents take close to Kolmogorov values. Above this critical fractal dimension, <T _n> is an increasing function of k_n and the structure function scaling exponents deviate significantly from Kolmogorov values. Received 25 June 2001 / Received in final form 5 April 2002 Published online 19 July 2002     

Hilbert-Enskog-Chapman expansion in the turbulent kinetic theory of gases. II

This is a continuation of the article (I) with the same title. [Tian-quan Chen, preceding articleJ. Stat. Phys. 25, 491 (1981).] We carry on with the Enskog-Chapman expansion here.     

A study of hydrodynamic turbulence using laser transmission

Using laser transmission, the characteristics of hydrodynamic turbulence is studied following one of the recently developed technique in nonlinear dynamics. The existence of deterministic chaos in turbulence is proved by evaluating two invariants viz. dimension of attractor and Kolmogorov entropy. The behaviour of these invariants indicates that above a certain strength of turbulence the system tends to more ordered states.     

A functional integral approach to plasma turbulence

The study of weakly turbulent plasmas uses perturbative methods, in contrast to the strong turbulence case which is investigated numerically. A functional integral method is proposed as a unifying approach based on the examination of the structure of the space of exact phase-space particle orbits. The method is nonperturbative and easily obtains basic results of the weak turbulence theory.