906 research outputs found
On the action principle for a system of differential equations
We consider the problem of constructing an action functional for physical
systems whose classical equations of motion cannot be directly identified with
Euler-Lagrange equations for an action principle. Two ways of action principle
construction are presented. From simple consideration, we derive necessary and
sufficient conditions for the existence of a multiplier matrix which can endow
a prescribed set of second-order differential equations with the structure of
Euler-Lagrange equations. An explicit form of the action is constructed in case
if such a multiplier exists. If a given set of differential equations cannot be
derived from an action principle, one can reformulate such a set in an
equivalent first-order form which can always be treated as the Euler-Lagrange
equations of a certain action. We construct such an action explicitly. There
exists an ambiguity (not reduced to a total time derivative) in associating a
Lagrange function with a given set of equations. We present a complete
description of this ambiguity. The general procedure is illustrated by several
examples.Comment: 10 page
Lie conformal algebra cohomology and the variational complex
We find an interpretation of the complex of variational calculus in terms of
the Lie conformal algebra cohomology theory. This leads to a better
understanding of both theories. In particular, we give an explicit construction
of the Lie conformal algebra cohomology complex, and endow it with a structure
of a g-complex. On the other hand, we give an explicit construction of the
complex of variational calculus in terms of skew-symmetric poly-differential
operators.Comment: 56 page
The Unique Determination of Neuronal Currents in the Brain via Magnetoencephalography
The problem of determining the neuronal current inside the brain from
measurements of the induced magnetic field outside the head is discussed under
the assumption that the space occupied by the brain is approximately spherical.
By inverting the Geselowitz equation, the part of the current which can be
reconstructed from the measurements is precisely determined. This actually
consists of only certain moments of one of the two functions specifying the
tangential part of the current. The other function specifying the tangential
part of the current as well as the radial part of the current are completely
arbitrary. However, it is also shown that with the assumption of energy
minimization, the current can be reconstructed uniquely. A numerical
implementation of this unique reconstruction is also presented
Lagrange formalism of memory circuit elements: classical and quantum formulations
The general Lagrange-Euler formalism for the three memory circuit elements,
namely, memristive, memcapacitive, and meminductive systems, is introduced. In
addition, {\it mutual meminductance}, i.e. mutual inductance with a state
depending on the past evolution of the system, is defined. The Lagrange-Euler
formalism for a general circuit network, the related work-energy theorem, and
the generalized Joule's first law are also obtained. Examples of this formalism
applied to specific circuits are provided, and the corresponding Hamiltonian
and its quantization for the case of non-dissipative elements are discussed.
The notion of {\it memory quanta}, the quantum excitations of the memory
degrees of freedom, is presented. Specific examples are used to show that the
coupling between these quanta and the well-known charge quanta can lead to a
splitting of degenerate levels and to other experimentally observable quantum
effects
Lagrangian multiform structure for the lattice Gel'fand-Dikii hierarchy
The lattice Gel'fand-Dikii hierarchy was introduced by Nijhoff, Papageorgiou,
Capel and Quispel in 1992 as the family of partial difference equations
generalizing to higher rank the lattice Korteweg-de Vries systems, and includes
in particular the lattice Boussinesq system. We present a Lagrangian for the
generic member of the lattice Gel'fand-Dikii hierarchy, and show that it can be
considered as a Lagrangian 2-form when embedded in a higher dimensional
lattice, obeying a closure relation. Thus the multiform structure proposed in
arXiv:0903.4086v2 [nlin.SI] is extended to a multi-component system.Comment: 12 page
Phase-Space Metric for Non-Hamiltonian Systems
We consider an invariant skew-symmetric phase-space metric for
non-Hamiltonian systems. We say that the metric is an invariant if the metric
tensor field is an integral of motion. We derive the time-dependent
skew-symmetric phase-space metric that satisfies the Jacobi identity. The
example of non-Hamiltonian systems with linear friction term is considered.Comment: 12 page
Derivation of Boltzmann Principle
We present a derivation of Boltzmann principle
based on classical mechanical models of thermodynamics. The argument is based
on the heat theorem and can be traced back to the second half of the nineteenth
century with the works of Helmholtz and Boltzmann. Despite its simplicity, this
argument has remained almost unknown. We present it in a modern, self-contained
and accessible form. The approach constitutes an important link between
classical mechanics and statistical mechanics
Non-mean-field theory of anomalously large double-layer capacitance
Mean-field theories claim that the capacitance of the double-layer formed at
a metal/ionic conductor interface cannot be larger than that of the Helmholtz
capacitor, whose width is equal to the radius of an ion. However, in some
experiments the apparent width of the double-layer capacitor is substantially
smaller. We propose an alternate, non-mean-field theory of the ionic
double-layer to explain such large capacitance values. Our theory allows for
the binding of discrete ions to their image charges in the metal, which results
in the formation of interface dipoles. We focus primarily on the case where
only small cations are mobile and other ions form an oppositely-charged
background. In this case, at small temperature and zero applied voltage dipoles
form a correlated liquid on both contacts. We show that at small voltages the
capacitance of the double-layer is determined by the transfer of dipoles from
one electrode to the other and is therefore limited only by the weak
dipole-dipole repulsion between bound ions, so that the capacitance is very
large. At large voltages the depletion of bound ions from one of the capacitor
electrodes triggers a collapse of the capacitance to the much smaller
mean-field value, as seen in experimental data. We test our analytical
predictions with a Monte Carlo simulation and find good agreement. We further
argue that our ``one-component plasma" model should work well for strongly
asymmetric ion liquids. We believe that this work also suggests an improved
theory of pseudo-capacitance.Comment: 19 pages, 14 figures; some Monte Carlo results and a section about
aqueous solutions adde
Fractional Variations for Dynamical Systems: Hamilton and Lagrange Approaches
Fractional generalization of an exterior derivative for calculus of
variations is defined. The Hamilton and Lagrange approaches are considered.
Fractional Hamilton and Euler-Lagrange equations are derived. Fractional
equations of motion are obtained by fractional variation of Lagrangian and
Hamiltonian that have only integer derivatives.Comment: 21 pages, LaTe
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