7,095 research outputs found
Statistics and Nos\'e formalism for Ehrenfest dynamics
Quantum dynamics (i.e., the Schr\"odinger equation) and classical dynamics
(i.e., Hamilton equations) can both be formulated in equal geometric terms: a
Poisson bracket defined on a manifold. In this paper we first show that the
hybrid quantum-classical dynamics prescribed by the Ehrenfest equations can
also be formulated within this general framework, what has been used in the
literature to construct propagation schemes for Ehrenfest dynamics. Then, the
existence of a well defined Poisson bracket allows to arrive to a Liouville
equation for a statistical ensemble of Ehrenfest systems. The study of a
generic toy model shows that the evolution produced by Ehrenfest dynamics is
ergodic and therefore the only constants of motion are functions of the
Hamiltonian. The emergence of the canonical ensemble characterized by the
Boltzmann distribution follows after an appropriate application of the
principle of equal a priori probabilities to this case. Once we know the
canonical distribution of a Ehrenfest system, it is straightforward to extend
the formalism of Nos\'e (invented to do constant temperature Molecular Dynamics
by a non-stochastic method) to our Ehrenfest formalism. This work also provides
the basis for extending stochastic methods to Ehrenfest dynamics.Comment: 28 pages, 1 figure. Published version. arXiv admin note: substantial
text overlap with arXiv:1010.149
Exploration of Reaction Pathways and Chemical Transformation Networks
For the investigation of chemical reaction networks, the identification of
all relevant intermediates and elementary reactions is mandatory. Many
algorithmic approaches exist that perform explorations efficiently and
automatedly. These approaches differ in their application range, the level of
completeness of the exploration, as well as the amount of heuristics and human
intervention required. Here, we describe and compare the different approaches
based on these criteria. Future directions leveraging the strengths of chemical
heuristics, human interaction, and physical rigor are discussed.Comment: 48 pages, 4 figure
Fluctuations in Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics: Models, Mathematical Theory, Physical Mechanisms
The fluctuations in nonequilibrium systems are under intense theoretical and
experimental investigation. Topical ``fluctuation relations'' describe
symmetries of the statistical properties of certain observables, in a variety
of models and phenomena. They have been derived in deterministic and, later, in
stochastic frameworks. Other results first obtained for stochastic processes,
and later considered in deterministic dynamics, describe the temporal evolution
of fluctuations. The field has grown beyond expectation: research works and
different perspectives are proposed at an ever faster pace. Indeed,
understanding fluctuations is important for the emerging theory of
nonequilibrium phenomena, as well as for applications, such as those of
nanotechnological and biophysical interest. However, the links among the
different approaches and the limitations of these approaches are not fully
understood. We focus on these issues, providing: a) analysis of the theoretical
models; b) discussion of the rigorous mathematical results; c) identification
of the physical mechanisms underlying the validity of the theoretical
predictions, for a wide range of phenomena.Comment: 44 pages, 2 figures. To appear in Nonlinearity (2007
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