title: Mean-field approximation for spacing distribution functions in classical systems.
abstract: We propose a mean-field method to calculate approximately the spacing distribution functions p((n))(s) in one-dimensional classical many-particle systems. We compare our method with two other commonly used methods, the independent interval approximation and the extended Wigner surmise. In our mean-field approach, p((n))(s) is calculated from a set of Langevin equations, which are decoupled by using a mean-field approximation. We find that in spite of its simplicity, the mean-field approximation provides good results in several systems. We offer many examples illustrating that the three previously mentioned methods give a reasonable description of the statistical behavior of the system. The physical interpretation of each method is also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA. dgonzal2@umd.edu
authors.forename: Diego Luis
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pimpinelli
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Einstein
mesh_terms: D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011789:Quantum Theory; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids