Benedict Leimkuhler
University of Edinburgh
Title: Controlling statistical properties in simulations of extended dynamical systems
Many complex dynamical systems are subject to uncertainty in the initial data, chaotic internal mixing, and unresolved interactions with an environment. For these reasons a statistical perspective is often taken: trajectories are treated as tools for computing averages with respect to some statistical ensemble (defined by a suitable phase space density, typically a function of the energy). I will discuss methods for performing such calculations based on a flexible family of stochastic-dynamical systems. These techniques are most commonly used in molecular simulation to control temperature or pressure, but there are many possibilities for their introduction in other applications. I will discuss an example involving a point-vortex model of a fluid as considered by Onsager.
©2010, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Last Modified: February 26, 2009