Exploring the Thermodynamic Limit of Hamiltonian Models: Convergence to the Vlasov Equation
- Dipartimento di Energetica and CSDC, Universita di Firenze, and INFN, via S. Marta, 3, 50139 Florence (Italy)
- Dipartimento di Fisica 'E.Fermi' and CNISM, Universita di Pisa, Largo Pontecorvo, 3 56127 Pisa (Italy)
We here discuss the emergence of quasistationary states (QSS), a universal feature of systems with long-range interactions. With reference to the Hamiltonian mean-field model, numerical simulations are performed based on both the original N-body setting and the continuum Vlasov model which is supposed to hold in the thermodynamic limit. A detailed comparison unambiguously demonstrates that the Vlasov-wave system provides the correct framework to address the study of QSS. Further, analytical calculations based on Lynden-Bell's theory of violent relaxation are shown to result in accurate predictions. Finally, in specific regions of parameters space, Vlasov numerical solutions are shown to be affected by small scale fluctuations, a finding that points to the need for novel schemes able to account for particle correlations.
- OSTI ID:
- 20951225
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review Letters, Vol. 98, Issue 15; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.150602; (c) 2007 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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