Test Particle Motion in a Lorentz Gas

Citation

Gomberg, Richard Ira (1975) Test Particle Motion in a Lorentz Gas. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/5MDV-YZ10. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:07102014-094128527

Abstract

This is a two-part thesis concerning the motion of a test particle in a bath. In part one we use an expansion of the operator PLe^it(1-P)LLP to shape the Zwanzig equation into a generalized Fokker-Planck equation which involves a diffusion tensor depending on the test particle's momentum and the time.

In part two the resultant equation is studied in some detail for the case of test particle motion in a weakly coupled Lorentz Gas. The diffusion tensor for this system is considered. Some of its properties are calculated; it is computed explicitly for the case of a Gaussian potential of interaction.

The equation for the test particle distribution function can be put into the form of an inhomogeneous Schroedinger equation. The term corresponding to the potential energy in the Schroedinger equation is considered. Its structure is studied, and some of its simplest features are used to find the Green's function in the limiting situations of low density and long time.

Thesis Files