A Geometric, Dynamical Approach to Thermodynamics

We present a geometric and dynamical approach to the micro-canonical ensemble of classical Hamiltonian systems. We generalize the arguments in \cite{Rugh} and show that the energy-derivative of a micro-canonical average is itself micro-canonically observable. In particular, temperature, specific heat and higher order derivatives of the entropy can be observed dynamically. We give perturbative, asymptotic formulas by which the canonical ensemble itself can be reconstructed from micro-canonical measurements only. In a purely micro-canonical approach we rederive formulas by Lebowitz et al \cite{LPV}, relating e.g. specific heat to fluctuations in the kinetic energy. We show that under natural assumptions on the fluctuations in the kinetic energy the micro-canonical temperature is asymptotically equivalent to the standard canonical definition using the kinetic energy.Comment: 7 pages, LaTeX, uses RevTex. New sections and examples using fluctuations in the kinetic energy adde

Matrix exponential-based closures for the turbulent subgrid-scale stress tensor

Two approaches for closing the turbulence subgrid-scale stress tensor in terms of matrix exponentials are introduced and compared. The first approach is based on a formal solution of the stress transport equation in which the production terms can be integrated exactly in terms of matrix exponentials. This formal solution of the subgrid-scale stress transport equation is shown to be useful to explore special cases, such as the response to constant velocity gradient, but neglecting pressure-strain correlations and diffusion effects. The second approach is based on an Eulerian-Lagrangian change of variables, combined with the assumption of isotropy for the conditionally averaged Lagrangian velocity gradient tensor and with the recent fluid deformation approximation. It is shown that both approaches lead to the same basic closure in which the stress tensor is expressed as the matrix exponential of the resolved velocity gradient tensor multiplied by its transpose. Short-time expansions of the matrix exponentials are shown to provide an eddy-viscosity term and particular quadratic terms, and thus allow a reinterpretation of traditional eddy-viscosity and nonlinear stress closures. The basic feasibility of the matrix-exponential closure is illustrated by implementing it successfully in large eddy simulation of forced isotropic turbulence. The matrix-exponential closure employs the drastic approximation of entirely omitting the pressure-strain correlation and other nonlinear scrambling terms. But unlike eddy-viscosity closures, the matrix exponential approach provides a simple and local closure that can be derived directly from the stress transport equation with the production term, and using physically motivated assumptions about Lagrangian decorrelation and upstream isotropy

Measuring Nonequilibrium Temperature of Forced Oscillators

The meaning of temperature in nonequilibrium thermodynamics is considered by using a forced harmonic oscillator in a heat bath, where we have two effective temperatures for the position and the momentum, respectively. We invent a concrete model of a thermometer to testify the validity of these different temperatures from the operational point of view. It is found that the measured temperature depends on a specific form of interaction between the system and a thermometer, which means the zeroth law of thermodynamics cannot be immediately extended to nonequilibrium cases.Comment: 8 page

Microcanonical temperature for a classical field: application to Bose-Einstein condensation

We show that the projected Gross-Pitaevskii equation (PGPE) can be mapped exactly onto Hamilton's equations of motion for classical position and momentum variables. Making use of this mapping, we adapt techniques developed in statistical mechanics to calculate the temperature and chemical potential of a classical Bose field in the microcanonical ensemble. We apply the method to simulations of the PGPE, which can be used to represent the highly occupied modes of Bose condensed gases at finite temperature. The method is rigorous, valid beyond the realms of perturbation theory, and agrees with an earlier method of temperature measurement for the same system. Using this method we show that the critical temperature for condensation in a homogeneous Bose gas on a lattice with a UV cutoff increases with the interaction strength. We discuss how to determine the temperature shift for the Bose gas in the continuum limit using this type of calculation, and obtain a result in agreement with more sophisticated Monte Carlo simulations. We also consider the behaviour of the specific heat.Comment: v1: 9 pages, 5 figures, revtex 4. v2: additional text in response to referee's comments, now 11 pages, to appear in Phys. Rev.

New Algorithm for Mixmaster Dynamics

We present a new numerical algorithm for evolving the Mixmaster spacetimes. By using symplectic integration techniques to take advantage of the exact Taub solution for the scattering between asymptotic Kasner regimes, we evolve these spacetimes with higher accuracy using much larger time steps than previously possible. The longer Mixmaster evolution thus allowed enables detailed comparison with the Belinskii, Khalatnikov, Lifshitz (BKL) approximate Mixmaster dynamics. In particular, we show that errors between the BKL prediction and the measured parameters early in the simulation can be eliminated by relaxing the BKL assumptions to yield an improved map. The improved map has different predictions for vacuum Bianchi Type IX and magnetic Bianchi Type VI$_0$ Mixmaster models which are clearly matched in the simulation.Comment: 12 pages, Revtex, 4 eps figure

Periodic orbit spectrum in terms of Ruelle--Pollicott resonances

Fully chaotic Hamiltonian systems possess an infinite number of classical solutions which are periodic, e.g. a trajectory ``p'' returns to its initial conditions after some fixed time tau_p. Our aim is to investigate the spectrum tau_1, tau_2, ... of periods of the periodic orbits. An explicit formula for the density rho(tau) = sum_p delta (tau - tau_p) is derived in terms of the eigenvalues of the classical evolution operator. The density is naturally decomposed into a smooth part plus an interferent sum over oscillatory terms. The frequencies of the oscillatory terms are given by the imaginary part of the complex eigenvalues (Ruelle--Pollicott resonances). For large periods, corrections to the well--known exponential growth of the smooth part of the density are obtained. An alternative formula for rho(tau) in terms of the zeros and poles of the Ruelle zeta function is also discussed. The results are illustrated with the geodesic motion in billiards of constant negative curvature. Connections with the statistical properties of the corresponding quantum eigenvalues, random matrix theory and discrete maps are also considered. In particular, a random matrix conjecture is proposed for the eigenvalues of the classical evolution operator of chaotic billiards

The Northwest Passage opens for bowhead whales

The loss of Arctic sea ice is predicted to open up the Northwest Passage, shortening shipping routes and facilitating the exchange of marine organisms between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. Here, we present the first observations of distribution overlap of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) from the two oceans in the Northwest Passage, demonstrating this route is already connecting whales from two populations that have been assumed to be separated by sea ice. Previous satellite tracking has demonstrated that bowhead whales from West Greenland and Alaska enter the ice-infested channels of the Canadian High Arctic during summer. In August 2010, two bowhead whales from West Greenland and Alaska entered the Northwest Passage from opposite directions and spent approximately 10 days in the same area, documenting overlap between the two populations

Fractal Scales in a Schwarzschild Atmosphere

Recently, Glass and Krisch have extended the Vaidya radiating metric to include both a radiation fluid and a string fluid [1999 Class. Quantum Grav. vol 16, 1175]. Mass diffusion in the extended Schwarzschild atmosphere was studied. The continuous solutions of classical diffusive transport are believed to describe the envelope of underlying fractal behavior. In this work we examine the classical picture at scales on which fractal behavior might be evident.Comment: to appear in Class. Quantum Gra

The tale of two centres

We study motion in the field of two fixed centres described by a family of Einstein-dilaton-Maxwell theories. Transitions between regular and chaotic motion are observed as the dilaton coupling is varied.Comment: 20 pages, RevTeX, 7 figures included, TeX format change

Using a Sweating Manikin, Controlled by a Human Physiological Model, to Evaluate Liquid Cooling Garments

This paper discusses the use of NREL's Advanced Automotive Manikin (ADAM) for evaluating NASA's liquid cooling garments for space suits