High Order Maximum Principle Preserving Semi-Lagrangian Finite Difference WENO schemes for the Vlasov Equation

In this paper, we propose the parametrized maximum principle preserving (MPP) flux limiter, originally developed in [Z. Xu, Math. Comp., (2013), in press], to the semi- Lagrangian finite difference weighted essentially non-oscillatory scheme for solving the Vlasov equation. The MPP flux limiter is proved to maintain up to fourth order accuracy for the semi-Lagrangian finite difference scheme without any time step restriction. Numerical studies on the Vlasov-Poisson system demonstrate the performance of the proposed method and its ability in preserving the positivity of the probability distribution function while maintaining the high order accuracy

High-order accurate physical-constraints-preserving finite difference WENO schemes for special relativistic hydrodynamics

The paper develops high-order accurate physical-constraints-preserving finite difference WENO schemes for special relativistic hydrodynamical (RHD) equations, built on the local Lax-Friedrich splitting, the WENO reconstruction, the physical-constraints-preserving flux limiter, and the high-order strong stability preserving time discretization. They are extensions of the positivity-preserving finite difference WENO schemes for the non-relativistic Euler equations. However, developing physical-constraints-preserving methods for the RHD system becomes much more difficult than the non-relativistic case because of the strongly coupling between the RHD equations, no explicit expressions of the primitive variables and the flux vectors, in terms of the conservative vector, and one more physical constraint for the fluid velocity in addition to the positivity of the rest-mass density and the pressure. The key is to prove the convexity and other properties of the admissible state set and discover a concave function with respect to the conservative vector replacing the pressure which is an important ingredient to enforce the positivity-preserving property for the non-relativistic case. Several one- and two-dimensional numerical examples are used to demonstrate accuracy, robustness, and effectiveness of the proposed physical-constraints-preserving schemes in solving RHD problems with large Lorentz factor, or strong discontinuities, or low rest-mass density or pressure etc.Comment: 39 pages, 13 figure

High-Resolution Mathematical and Numerical Analysis of Involution-Constrained PDEs

Partial differential equations constrained by involutions provide the highest fidelity mathematical models for a large number of complex physical systems of fundamental interest in critical scientific and technological disciplines. The applications described by these models include electromagnetics, continuum dynamics of solid media, and general relativity. This workshop brought together pure and applied mathematicians to discuss current research that cuts across these various disciplines’ boundaries. The presented material illuminated fundamental issues as well as evolving theoretical and algorithmic approaches for PDEs with involutions. The scope of the material covered was broad, and the discussions conducted during the workshop were lively and far-reaching