Thorsten Pöschel Libros

Computer simulations not only belong to the most important methods for the theoretical investigation of granular materials, but provide the tools that have enabled much of the expanding research by physicists and engineers. The present book is intended to serve as an introduction to the application of numerical methods to systems of granular particles. Accordingly emphasis is on a general understanding of the subject rather than on the presentation of latest advances in numerical algorithms. Although a basic knowledge of C++ is needed for the understanding of the numerical methods and algorithms in the book, it avoids usage of elegant but complicated algorithms to remain accessible for those who prefer to use a different programming language. While the book focuses more on models than on the physics of granular material, many applications to real systems are presented.

Die Entwicklung des Gebietes der Physik irreversibler Prozesse und der Selbstorganisation ist untrennbar mit dem Namen Werner Ebelings verbunden, der von 1970 bis 2001 als Professor für Theoretische Physik zunächst an der Universität Rostock und später an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin lehrte. Im von ihm begründeten ``Interdisziplinären Kolloquium für Irreversible Prozesse und Selbstorganisation'' trugen hunderte Sprecher(innen) vor, darunter zahllose international führende Wissenschaftler(innen) auf diesem und verwandten Gebieten. Im Jahre 1998 initiierte er den Sonderforschungsbereiches 555 Nichtlineare komplexe Prozesse, deren erster Sprecher er war und der bis heute besteht. Die von ihm in Rostock und Berlin begründete wissenschaftliche Schule umfaßt eine Vielzahl von heute sehr aktiven und erfolgreichen Wissenschaftler(inne)n, deren Arbeiten auch Ausdruck der großen Vielfalt und Breite wissenschaftlicher Interessen von Werner Ebeling sind. Die vorliegende Sammlung aktueller Ergebnisse einiger seiner Schüler(innen) ist Werner Ebeling aus Anlaß seines 70. Geburtstags gewidmet.

While there is not yet any general theory for granular materials, significant progress has been achieved for dilute systems, also called granular gases. The contributions in this book address both the kinetic approach one using the Boltzmann equation for dissipative gases as well as the less established hydrodynamic description. The last part of the book is devoted to driven granular gases and their analogy with molecular fluids. Care has been taken so as to present the material in a pedagogical and self-contained way and this volume will thus be particularly useful to nonspecialists and newcomers to the field.

„ Granular Gases “ are diluted many-particle systems in which the mean free path of the particles is much larger than the typical particle size, and where particle collisions occur dissipatively. The dissipation of kinetic energy can lead to effects such as the formation of clusters, anomalous diffusion and characteristic shock waves to name but a few. The book is organized as follows: Part I comprises the rigorous theoretical results for the dilute limit. The detailed properties of binary collisions are described in Part II. Part III contains experimental investigations of granular gases. Large-scale behaviour as found in astrophysical systems is discussed in Part IV. Part V, finally, deals with possible generalizations for dense granular systems.