1956-04-13 | Rosenbluth, Marshall N. MacDonald, William M. Judd, David L.
The paper presents the derivation of the Fokker-Planck equation for an inverse-square force, applicable to systems where particle interactions follow an inverse-square law. The equation is derived from the Boltzmann equation by considering the effects of small-angle collisions, which dominate in such systems. The coefficients in the Fokker-Planck equation, ⟨Δv⟩ and ⟨ΔvΔv⟩, are obtained using collision cross sections for inverse-square forces. These coefficients are expressed in terms of two fundamental integrals dependent on the distribution function. The equation is transformed to polar coordinates for axial symmetry, and the distribution function is expanded in Legendre functions, resulting in an infinite set of one-dimensional coupled nonlinear integro-differential equations. Approximating the distribution function with a finite series allows numerical treatment of the Fokker-Planck equation. The work extends previous approaches by Chandrasekhar and Spitzer, and the derived equation is suitable for integration by electronic computers. The paper also discusses the transformation of the equation into a covariant form valid in any curvilinear coordinate system, and provides a detailed derivation for spherical polar coordinates. The equation is further reduced for axial symmetry, leading to a two-dimensional time-dependent equation that can be solved numerically. The solution is expanded in Legendre polynomials, and the resulting expressions are used to derive coupled one-dimensional nonlinear integro-differential equations. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of these results for the study of systems with inverse-square forces.The paper presents the derivation of the Fokker-Planck equation for an inverse-square force, applicable to systems where particle interactions follow an inverse-square law. The equation is derived from the Boltzmann equation by considering the effects of small-angle collisions, which dominate in such systems. The coefficients in the Fokker-Planck equation, ⟨Δv⟩ and ⟨ΔvΔv⟩, are obtained using collision cross sections for inverse-square forces. These coefficients are expressed in terms of two fundamental integrals dependent on the distribution function. The equation is transformed to polar coordinates for axial symmetry, and the distribution function is expanded in Legendre functions, resulting in an infinite set of one-dimensional coupled nonlinear integro-differential equations. Approximating the distribution function with a finite series allows numerical treatment of the Fokker-Planck equation. The work extends previous approaches by Chandrasekhar and Spitzer, and the derived equation is suitable for integration by electronic computers. The paper also discusses the transformation of the equation into a covariant form valid in any curvilinear coordinate system, and provides a detailed derivation for spherical polar coordinates. The equation is further reduced for axial symmetry, leading to a two-dimensional time-dependent equation that can be solved numerically. The solution is expanded in Legendre polynomials, and the resulting expressions are used to derive coupled one-dimensional nonlinear integro-differential equations. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of these results for the study of systems with inverse-square forces.