Spring 2026     

Topics in Collisional Kinetic and Plasma Models

Analysis and Numerical Methods with Applications.
M 393C (#57130)    and     CSE 396 (#65894)

 

Instructor:   Prof. Irene M. Gamba
Office: RLM 10.166, Phone: 471-7150

Class Webpage: UT Canvas.       
Meeting Hours:   RLM 9.166,    T-Th 11:00-12:15pm                     

Office hours: by appointment

E-Mail: gamba@math.utexas.edu.

 

This topics course covers broad issues on Analytical and Numerical issues associated to probability density solutions associates to Boltzmann and Landau equations for conservative and non-conservative systems and their connections to non-equilibrium statistical methods applied to fluid dynamics, mechanics and social dynamics.

 

1)     Introduction and elementary properties.  The Boltzmann transport equation for binary elastic and inelastic collisional theory, time irreversibility, conservation laws, H-theorem and energy inequalities for inelastic interactions. The grazing collision limit for Coulomb interactions and the connection to the Landau Equation. Fourier representation of the Boltzmann and Landau equations. Comon analytical structures for non-linear collisional forms for classical and relativistic Boltzmann and Landau type models.

 

2)     Space homogeneous problems. Fundamental estimates for existence and uniqueness for ODE in the Banach space in L1k(Rd). Lower and upper moment estimates inequalities for coerciveness and boundedness. Existence and Uniqueness Theorem for solutions to the Cauchy problem.  Summability of moments and exponential moments and tails. Young’s type inequalities for the collisional form. The Carleman integral representation and gain of integrability for propagation of Lp(Rd) norms.  Propagation of Wm,p(Rd) regularity theory, 1≤ p ≤ ∞.   

 

 

3)     Space inhomogeneous problems. Kaniel-Shimbrot-Illner iteration method for the classical Boltzmann equation and inelastic interactions. Initial and Boundary value problems. Scattering effects for solutions in all space due to dispersion vs dissipation.  Radiation Problems.

 

4)     Beyond Landau Damping: Weak turbulence problems in high energy plasmas. Derivation for Quasilinear (particles) and Frequency waves (plasmon) systems.  Model reduction for high energy states performed to Vlasov-Poisson and Vlasov-Maxwell systems under ergodicity and Random Phase Approximation hypothesis, in 1- or 3-dimensional in position and momenta space.

 

5)     Maxwell type of interactions and Graph theory.  Maxwell interactions form in connection to graph and graphons theory. Stationary and self-similar solutions for space homogeneous problems. Connections to special solutions in Fourier space.

 

6)     Numerical approximations to kinetic particle systems. Deterministic solvers for linear and non-linear collisional forms of classical and relativistic Boltzmann and Landau type. Unconditional conservative spectral and FEM methods. Galerkin-Petrov schemes and spherical harmonics for sparce solvers. Boundary and initial conditions. Stability and error estimates. Applications to kinetic models for plasmas and charge transport as well as to inverse problem in nano-scale. The Boltzmann-Poisson system.   

 

Prerequisites: Some knowledge of Methods of Applied Analysis and Mathematics and Partial Differential Equations.

Testing and examination plan and policies:      Attendance at lectures is expected.   A 30-min prepared presentation on a topic to be discussed with the instructor.  There will be neither exams, nor tests for this course.


This course is complementary to graduate Topics PDE II  (M 393C)-Topics in Kinetic Theory by Dominic Wynter

 

Recommended bibliography and references:

·       Class notes and several recent research papers to be distributed in class.

·       Kip S. Thorne, Roger D. Blandford, Modern Classical Physics: Optics, Fluids, Plasmas, Elasticity, Relativity, and Statistical Physics, Princeton University. (Focusing on Fluids, Plasmas Statistical Physics material.)

·       Nicholson, D.R.; Introduction to Plasma Theory. John Wiley and Sons, 1982.

·       Stix, T.H.; Waves in Plasmas, AIP, NY, 1992.

·       Cercignani C., The Boltzmann Equation and its Applications, Springer, New York, 1988.

·       Cercignani C., Illner, R. and Pulvirenti, M., The Mathematical Theory of Diluted Gases", Springer, NY,1994.

·       Villani, C., A review of Mathematical topics in collisional kinetic theory, Handbook of Fluid Mechanics, 2003.

·       Sone,Y, Kinetic Theory and Fluid Dynamics (Birkhäuser,2002):Click here to download supplementary notes&errata

·       Sone, Y., Molecular Gas Dynamics (Birkhäuser, 2007): Click here to download supplementary notes&errata

 

The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY.