A random discrete velocity model and approximation of the Boltzmann equation

An approximation procedure for the Boltzmann equation based on random choices of collision pairs from a fixed velocity set and on discrete velocity models is designed. In a suitable limit, the procedure is shown to converge to the time-discretized and spatially homogeneous Boltzmann equation.     

Approximation of the Boltzmann equation by discrete velocity models

Two convergence results related to the approximation of the Boltzmann equation by discrete velocity models are presented. First we construct a sequence of deterministic discrete velocity models and prove convergence (as the number of discrete velocities tends to infinity) of their solutions to the solution of a spatially homogeneous Boltzmann equation. Second we introduce a sequence of Markov jump processes (interpreted as random discrete velocity models) and prove convergence (as the intensity of jumps tends to infinity) of these processes to the solution of a deterministic discrete velocity model.     

Numerical analysis of a shock-wave solution of the Enskog equation obtained via a Monte Carlo method

In this paper a planar stationary shock-wave-like solution of the Enskog equation obtained via a Monte Carlo technique is studied; both the algorithm used to obtain the solution and the qualitative behavior of the macroscopic quantities are discussed in comparison with the corresponding solution of the Boltzmann equation.     

Investigation of gate current in nano-scale MOSFETs by Monte Carlo solution of quantum Boltzmann equation

This paper investigates gate current through ultra-thin gate oxide of nano-scale metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), using two-dimensional (2D) full-band self-consistent ensemble Monte Carlo method based on solving quantum Boltzmann equation. Direct tunnelling, Fowler--Nordheim tunnelling and thermionic emission currents have been taken into account for the calculation of total gate current. The 2D effect on the gate current is investigated by including the details of the energy distribution for electron tunnelling through the barrier. In order to investigate the properties of nano scale MOSFETs, it is necessary to simulate gate tunnelling current in 2D including non-equilibrium transport.     

A high-order Monte Carlo algorithm for the direct simulation of Boltzmann equation

A high-order algorithm of the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, H-DSMC, has been developed to simulate rarefied flow regimes. The mth order Taylor series expansion has been employed to obtain a more generalized form of the time discretization for the collision part of Boltzmann equation. In the purposed algorithm, the higher order collision terms are introduced as well as higher order terms in the time step of the probabilistic coefficients. These newly implemented higher order terms improve the accuracy and efficiency of the solution and enhance the convergence rate quite significantly. Comparison between results of the classic DSMC method and the H-DSMC method shows the promising performance of the introduced technique.     

Monte Carlo simulations of the classical two-dimensional discrete frustrated model

The classical two-dimensional discrete frustrated φ ⁴ model is studied by Monte Carlo simulations. The correlation function is obtained for two values of a parameter d that determines the frustration in the model. The ground state is a ferro-phase for d = - 0.35 and a commensurate phase with period N = 6 for d = - 0.45. Mean field predicts that at higher temperature the system enters a para-phase via an incommensurate state, in both cases. Monte Carlo data for d = - 0.45 show two phase transitions with a floating-incommensurate phase between them. The phase transition at higher temperature is of the Kosterlitz-Thouless type. Analysis of the data for d = - 0.35 shows only a single phase transition between the floating-fluid phase and the ferro-phase within the numerical error. Received 16 December 2002 / Received in final form 17 January 2003 Published online 6 March 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: vladimir@shg.ru     

The Schwinger model via a local Monte Carlo algorithm

We study the massless Schwinger model with one flavor on a lattice using Monte Carlo techniques. A hamiltonian formalism is used. The locality of the algorithm employed allows us to work on quite large lattices (up to 100 × 400) and we are able to reproduce the known continuum mass gap of the model. The extension to higher dimensions is discussed.     

A convergence proof for Bird's direct simulation Monte Carlo method for the Boltzmann equation

Bird's direct simulation Monte Carlo method for the Boltzmann equation is considered. The limit (as the number of particles tends to infinity) of the random empirical measures associated with the Bird algorithm is shown to be a deterministic measure-valued function satisfying an equation close (in a certain sense) to the Boltzmann equation. A Markov jump process is introduced, which is related to Bird's collision simulation procedure via a random time transformation. Convergence is established for the Markov process and the random time transformation. These results, together with some general properties concerning the convergence of random measures, make it possible to characterize the limiting behavior of the Bird algorithm.     

Quantum Boltzmann equation solved by Monte Carlo method for nano-scale semiconductor devices simulation

A two-dimensional (2D) full band self-consistent ensemble Monte Carlo (MC) method for solving the quantum Boltzmann equation, including collision broadening and quantum potential corrections, is developed to extend the MC method to the study of nano-scale semiconductor devices with obvious quantum mechanical (QM) effects. The quantum effects both in real space and momentum space in nano-scale semiconductor devices can be simulated. The effective mobility in the inversion layer of n and p channel MOSFET is simulated and compared with experimental data to verify this method. With this method 50nm ultra thin body silicon on insulator MOSFET are simulated. Results indicate that this method can be used to simulate the 2D QM effects in semiconductor devices including tunnelling effect.     

Iterative solution of the Boltzmann equation

We define an iterative scheme to solve the nonlinear Boltzmann equation. Conservation rules are maintained at each iterative step. We apply this method to a spatially uniform and isotropic velocity distribution function on the Maxwell and very-hard-particle models. A particular example is evaluated and results are compared with the exact solution. It shows to be a very fast convergent approach.     

Convergence of a Distributional Monte Carlo Method for the Boltzmann Equation

Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) methods for the Boltzmann equation employ a point measure approximation to the distribution function, as simulated particles may possess only a single velocity. This representation limits the method to converge only weakly to the solution of the Boltzmann equation. Utilizing kernel density estimation we have developed a stochastic Boltzmann solver which possesses strong convergence for bounded and $L^\infty$ solutions of the Boltzmann equation. This is facilitated by distributing the velocity of each simulated particle instead of using the point measure approximation inherent to DSMC. We propose that the development of a distributional method which incorporates distributed velocities in collision selection and modeling should improve convergence and potentially result in a substantial reduction of the variance in comparison to DSMC methods. Toward this end, we also report initial findings of modeling collisions distributionally using the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook collision operator.     

Wild's solution of the nonlinear Boltzmann equation

The relaxation to equilibrium of a spatially uniform pseudo-Maxwellian gas is considered. A modified Wild expansion is defined for solving the nonlinear Boltzmann equation. The positivity and asymptotic conditions, as well as the conservation rules, are maintained at each truncation order. Some particular examples are evaluated. The comparison with exact solutions illustrates the very fast convergence of this method.     

Stochastic solution of the linearized Boltzmann equation

For the linearized Boltzmann equation with finite cross section, the solution is represented as an integral over the paths of a Markov jump process. The integral is only shown to converge conditionally, where the limiting process is defined by an increasing sequence of stopping times. The notion of local martingale plays an important role. A number of related kinetic models are also mentioned.Supported by NSF Grant GP 28576.     

Large-time behavior of solutions of the discrete Boltzmann equation

Large-time behavior of solutions of the one-dimensional discrete Boltzmann equation is studied. Under suitable assumptions it is proved that as time tends to infinity, the solution approaches a function which is constructed explicitly in terms of the self-similar solutions of the Burgers equation and the linear heat equation.     

Global existence for a model Boltzmann equation

We give a global existence proof for a class of inhomogeneous continuous velocity Boltzmann models with stochastic scattering kernels.     

Generalized relativistic Chapman-Enskog solution of the Boltzmann equation

The Chapman-Enskog method of solution of the relativistic Boltzmann equation is generalized in order to admit a time-derivative term associated to a thermodynamic force in its first order solution. Both existence and uniqueness of such a solution are proved based on the standard theory of integral equations. The mathematical implications of the generalization introduced here are thoroughly discussed regarding the nature of heat as chaotic energy transfer in the context of relativity theory.     

Is the solution of the Boltzmann equation positive?

A proof is given that the solution of the general non-linear space- and time-dependent Boltzmann equation, combined with suitable boundary conditions, in non-negative. For the spatially homogeneous situation the proof is extended to show that the solution is always positive.     

The p-q model Boltzmann equation

The “p-q” model earlier introduced by the authors to describe persistent scattering under a scalar Boltzmann equation is here examined in detail. After deriving the scattering kernel and exhibiting its properties we obtain moment and similarity solutions and show how the model effectively parametrizes all intermediate conditions between the extremes of diffusion-like “small-scattering” and the strong-collisional limit of “diffuse-scattering” characteristic of earlier, more restrictive models. Both continuous and discrete-variable versions of the model are discussed and shown to be straightforwardly interrelated. Our derivations, carried out in natural energy-like variables, parallel those given recently by Ernst and Hendriks using transform methods.     

The massive schwinger model on the lattice studied via a local hamiltonian Monte Carlo method

A local hamiltonian Monte Carlo method is used to study the massive Schwinger model. A non-vanishing quark condensate is found and the dependence of the condensate and the string tension on the background field is calculated. These results reproduce well the expected continuum results. We study also the first order phase transition which separates the weak and strong coupling regimes and find evidence for the behaviour conjectured by Coleman.