KINETIC THEORY

I have had an interest in Kinetic Theory problems for over 30 years. This area of research is based on the Boltzmann equation or Fokker-Planck equation for the distribution functions of either neutral or charged species in many different physical situations. The methods also apply to probability density functions for other systems such as nucleation processes, reaction rates and climate models..

Some of the applications involve the dynamics of charge particles and are in the realm of Plasma Physics. I have used spectral methods to advantage in this field. Some recent publications in this field of research include;

Numerical study of a direct current plasma-sheath based on kinetic theory.

Vasenkov A and Shizgal BD, Phys. of Plasmas 9, 691 (2002)

A Self-Consistent Kinetic Theory Model of a Plasma Sheath

Vasenkov A. and Shizgal BD. Phys. Rev. E (in press, 2002)

Nonhydrodynamic aspects of electron transport near a boundary: The Milne problem

Vasenkov A. and Shizgal BD. Phys. Rev. E63, 016401 (2001).

The Coupling of Electron Thermalisation and Electron Attachment in CCl4/Ar and CCl4/Ne mixtures

Kowari, K., Leung, K. and Shizgal, BD, J. Chem. Phys. 108, 1587-1600 (1998).

Another application of kinetic theory is to the nonequilibrium effects that occur in connection with chemical reactions and relaxation problems as discussed in the following papers;

Nonequilibrium Effects in Reactive Systems: The Effect of Reaction Products and the Validity of the Chapman-Enskog Method.

Shizgal, B.D. and Napier, D.G, Physica A223, 50-86 (1996).

Vibrational nonequilibrium in a supersonic expansion with reaction - application to O2-O.

Shizgal BD. and Lordet F. Journal of Chemical Physics. 104(10), 3579-3597 (1996)

The Coulomb Milne Problem

Barrett, J., Demeio, L. and Shizgal, B., Phys. Rev. A 45, 3687-3699 (1991).

Relaxation Dynamics of Hot Protons in a Bath of Thermal Hydrogen

Clarke, A.S. and Shizgal, B., Phys. Rev. E49, 347-358 (1994).

This includes relaxation of electrons in semiconductors as well as nucleation processes.

Relaxation of Hot Electrons in GaAs

Kim, C.S. and Shizgal, B., Physical Review B 44, 2969-2978 (1991).

Time Dependent Nucleation II: A Semiclassical Approach