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The Linear Boltzmann Equation in (1+1) Var.s First of all it is necessary to emphasize that all the techniques used to solve the continuous-time Boltzmann equation in one variable (plus time)
may be used to solve its discrete-time equivalent
the difficulty depending only on the kernel structure and not on the
left-hand side.
This can be easily done by using q and d functions.Wherever "solving" is mentioned in this paper; it should always be read as: "finding exact analytical solutions". Numerical methods have been already worked out by many people and are not actually considered in this work. Many numerical methods can however be revisited with operator techniques but this has not been the aim of this thesis. Integral and Integro-Differential Equations There is not a big difference between the two cases.
Integro-differential equations arise mostly in multi-variable problems (discussed later).
In single-variable (plus time) equations it is convenient to express any differential
operator in integral form and look for the eigenfunctions of the integral operator
resulting by the sum of the latter and the former existing integral one.
can be rewritten as
where the new kernel is:
From now on therefore, for the single-variable case, only integral equations will be taken into account. A different approach will be used in the multi-variable case.
1) Dirac-Delta Kernels These are usually referred to as those kernels of the form
No need for any help here; just perform the integral and the equation is almost solved. It is the simplest existing case of Boltzmann equation.
2) B.G.K. Kernels Equations containing kernels of the form
are always solvable without any Feynman Propagator intervention.
3) Elastic Kernels These kernels are defined by the fact that they admit as eigenfunctions the powers (with real or sometimes complex exponents) of the variable x; sometimes excluding a limited number of these.
Such equations are solvable and their solvability does not depend on
the form of the kernel but only on the mentioned eigenfunctions.
4) Degenerate Kernels Among them, those kernels expressible as a sum of products of functions of the two variables,
are called "degenerate" and are solvable equations.
5) Other Kernels In short, if you know the complete set of eigenfunctions for your
kernel the equation can be solved. It often happens (in truth this is the most common
case) that on rebuilding the final solution you find integrals that can not be expressed
in terms of elementary functions. The Linear Boltzmann Equation in (n+1) Var.s This is much more complicated than the mono-variable ones.
Here D is a linear differential operator of the form
where the w are given functions of the assigned variables.
1) Multi-variable Dirac-Delta Kernels Equations ruled by kernels of the form
can be solved as soon as the eigenfunctions of the differential operator can be found. This is a recurring problem also in other cases. Sometimes equations for eigenfunctions can not be solved in explicit form. This means that your degree of knowledge of the equations drops dramatically. Sometimes, however, something can still be done.
2) Multi-variable B.G.K. Kernels These equations are characterized by kernels of the following type
and can be solved as long as the eigenfunctions of the differential operator can be written in explicit form.
3) Degenerate Kernels As it happens in the single-variable case, equations containing kernels like
can generally be transformed into systems of partial differential equations and then solved (unless there are not the aforementioned problems).
4) Mixed Dirac-Delta-B.G.K. Kernels When facing multi-variable cases, many combinations of kernel type arise, such as
No real problem with such kernels has come out till now but as it seems from its structure, the solution might be found with a simple combination of the techniques reported earlier.
5) Mixed Degenerate-Dirac-Delta Kernels Another kind of combination which may well show up is
Same as Mixed Dirac-Delta-B.G.K. Kernels.
Other multi-variable Kernels Whenever you are facing a different type of equation which does not fit
under one of the classes above, do the following, check whether any transformation can
cast your equation into one of the classes mentioned above. If you are unlucky, go to the
last paragraph. A Solved (n+1)-Var Equation The equation covering neutron transport in a field of force F
can be solved in spherical geometry. Here I have used v for the modulus of velocity and m=cos(q). The solved case is a B.G.K. one
where I have adopted the kernel
and the initial condition
Other kernels and initial conditions can of course be inspected. Latest News and t-Dependence in the Kernel and in D I am working to a general technique to build eigenfunctions of
composite operators. If I succeed any equation whose operator can be decomposed in
products and sum of known operators will be solvable: clearly this page will be then
updated. .... but your case may be the lucky one.
Giulio M. Occhionero, Updated Jan. 28, 1996 |
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