Quantum Transport in a Crystal with Short-Range Interactions: The Boltzmann–Grad Limit

We study the macroscopic transport properties of the quantum Lorentz gas in a crystal with short-range potentials, and show that in the Boltzmann–Grad limit the quantum dynamics converges to a random flight process which is not compatible with the linear Boltzmann equation. Our derivation relies on a hypothesis concerning the statistical distribution of lattice points in thin domains, which is closely related to the Berry–Tabor conjecture in quantum chaos.

Formulações espectrais para solução de problemas de transporte de partículas

In this work, a deterministic approach to the solution of the integro differential linear Boltzmann equation, in one and twodimensional media, is presented. Explicit solutions, in terms of the spatial variables, for the discrete ordinates approximation of the original model are obtained from a spectral formulation. A relevant feature of the methodology is the reduced order of the eigenvalue problems, which is given as half of the number of the discrete directions. Such aspect, along with the use of arbitrary quadrature schemes to represent the integral term of the equation, are fundamental to provide fast, concise and accurate solutions to several problems of interest. In particular, the solutions here are derived for models associated with two different applications: rarefied gas dynamics and neutron transport. Mathematical aspects present in the solution of the two models are emphasized and extensions of the formulation to other applications are commented and referenced.