Exploring the thermodynamic limit of Hamiltonian models: convergence to the Vlasov equation.
We here discuss the emergence of quasistationary states (QSS), a universal feature of systems with long-range interactions. With reference to the Hamiltonian mean-field model, numerical simulations are performed based on both the original N-body setting and the continuum Vlasov model which is supposed to hold in the thermodynamic limit. A detailed comparison unambiguously demonstrates that the Vlasov-wave system provides the correct framework to address the study of QSS. Further, analytical calculations based on Lynden-Bell's theory of violent relaxation are shown to result in accurate predictions. Finally, in specific regions of parameters space, Vlasov numerical solutions are shown to be affected by small scale fluctuations, a finding that points to the need for novel schemes able to account for particle correlations.
Antoniazzi
Andrea
A
Dipartimento di Energetica and CSDC, Università di Firenze, and INFN, via S. Marta, 3, 50139 Firenze, Italy.
Califano
Francesco
F
Fanelli
Duccio
D
Ruffo
Stefano
S