Morris method
The Morris method, often referred to in the context of sensitivity analysis, is a technique used to determine the significance of input variables on the output of a model. It is particularly useful in situations where the model is complex and the relationship between inputs and outputs may not be linear or straightforward. Developed by M. D. Morris in the 1990s, the method aims to assess how the uncertainty in the input variables contributes to the uncertainty in the model output.
Muffin-tin approximation
The muffin-tin approximation is a method used in solid-state physics and materials science to simplify the calculations of electronic structure in crystalline solids. It is particularly relevant in the study of the electronic properties of metals and semiconductors. In the muffin-tin approximation, the potential energy landscape of a solid is modeled in such a way that the crystal is divided into different regions.
Multibody simulation
Multibody simulation (MBS) is a computational method used to analyze the dynamics of interconnected rigid or flexible bodies. It is widely used in various engineering fields to model and simulate the motion of mechanical systems that consist of multiple bodies that interact with each other through joints, contacts, and forces. The main objectives of multibody simulation include: 1. **Dynamic Analysis**: Assessing the motion and behavior of a system over time, which includes the effects of forces, accelerations, and constraints.
Multicanonical ensemble
The Multicanonical ensemble is a statistical ensemble used in statistical mechanics to study systems with a complex energy landscape, particularly those with rugged free energy surfaces or systems that exhibit first-order phase transitions. It is a generalization of the canonical ensemble and is especially useful for exploring the behavior of systems at all temperatures.
Multiphysics simulation
Multiphysics simulation refers to the computational analysis of systems that involve multiple physical phenomena interacting with one another. Traditional simulation methods often focus on a single physical process, such as fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, heat transfer, or electromagnetism. However, many real-world applications require the analysis of multiple coupled processes that influence each other. In a multiphysics simulation, various physical disciplines are modeled simultaneously, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the system's behavior.
Multiscale modeling
Multiscale modeling is an approach used in various scientific and engineering disciplines to study complex systems that exhibit behavior across different scales, such as spatial scales (ranging from atomic to macroscopic) or temporal scales (ranging from picoseconds to years). The objective of multiscale modeling is to effectively link and integrate information and phenomena occurring at these different scales to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the system.
N-body problem
The N-body problem is a classic problem in physics and mathematics that involves predicting the individual motions of a group of celestial bodies that interact with each other through gravitational forces. The "N" in N-body refers to the number of bodies involved. In its most basic form, the N-body problem can be described as follows: 1. **Bodies Interacting via Gravity**: You have "N" point masses (bodies) in space, each exerting a gravitational force on every other body.
N-body simulation
N-body simulation is a computational method used to study and simulate the dynamics of systems with a large number of interacting particles or bodies. In astrophysics, this typically involves celestial bodies such as stars, planets, and galaxies, but the concept can be applied to any system where multiple entities exert gravitational or other forces on each other.
Navigation mesh
A Navigation Mesh, often abbreviated as NavMesh, is a data structure used in artificial intelligence (AI) and game development to facilitate pathfinding and movement of characters (NPCs or players) within a 3D environment. It simplifies the representation of walkable surfaces and areas in a game world, allowing AI agents to navigate complex environments efficiently.
A numerical model of the Solar System is a computational simulation that represents the dynamics and interactions of celestial bodies within the Solar System using mathematical equations and numerical methods. These models aim to predict the positions, velocities, and gravitational interactions of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects over time. ### Key Components of Numerical Models 1. **Gravitational Dynamics**: The primary forces acting on the bodies in the Solar System are gravitational forces.
Numerical relativity
Numerical relativity is a subfield of computational physics that focuses on solving the equations of general relativity using numerical methods. General relativity, formulated by Albert Einstein, describes the gravitational interaction as a curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. The equations governing this curvature, known as the Einstein field equations, are highly complex and often impossible to solve analytically in realistic scenarios, especially in dynamic situations like the collision of black holes or neutron stars.
P3M
P3M typically stands for "Project, Program, and Portfolio Management." It encompasses the processes and practices used to manage projects, programs, and portfolios effectively within organizations. Here’s a brief overview of each component: 1. **Project Management (PM)**: The discipline of planning, organizing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals and objectives within a defined timeline. Projects have a clear beginning and end and often focus on delivering a specific product, service, or outcome.
Particle mesh
"Particle mesh" can refer to different concepts depending on the context, but it typically pertains to computational methods in fields such as astrophysics, fluid dynamics, and materials science. Here are a couple of interpretations: 1. **Particle-Mesh Method in Astrophysics**: This is a numerical technique used for simulating gravitational dynamics in systems with many particles, commonly used in cosmological simulations.
Phase stretch transform
The Phase Stretch Transform (PST) is a mathematical technique used in signal processing and image analysis to enhance and analyze various features of a signal or image. Introduced by researchers for the purpose of improving the detection of patterns and anomalies, the PST is particularly useful in applications involving time-series data or images that exhibit significant phase variations.
Physics of computation
The physics of computation is an interdisciplinary field that explores the fundamental principles governing computation through the lens of physics. It seeks to understand how physical systems can perform computations and how computational processes can be described and analyzed using physical laws. This area integrates concepts from both physics, computer science, and information theory to address several key questions, including: 1. **Physical Realizations of Computation**: Investigating how physical systems—such as quantum systems, neural networks, or classical machines—can compute information.
Plasma modeling
Plasma modeling refers to the mathematical and computational techniques used to describe and simulate the behavior of plasma, which is a state of matter consisting of charged particles, such as ions and electrons. Plasma is often referred to as the fourth state of matter (alongside solid, liquid, and gas) and is found in various contexts, including natural phenomena like stars and lightning as well as man-made applications like fusion reactors and plasma TVs.
Projector augmented wave method
The Projector Augmented Wave (PAW) method is a computational technique used in quantum mechanics and condensed matter physics for simulating the electronic structure of materials. It is particularly effective for calculating properties of solids and molecules within the framework of Density Functional Theory (DFT).
Pseudopotential
In quantum mechanics, a pseudopotential is an effective potential used to simplify the treatment of many-body systems, particularly in the study of electron interactions in solids. It is often employed in the context of condensed matter physics and materials science. ### Why Use Pseudopotentials? 1. **Electron-Nucleus Interaction**: In atoms, electrons experience a strong Coulomb attraction to the nucleus, which can complicate calculations.
QuTiP
QuTiP, or the Quantum Toolbox in Python, is an open-source software package designed for simulating the dynamics of open quantum systems. It provides a wide array of tools for researchers and developers working in quantum mechanics, quantum optics, and quantum information science. Key features of QuTiP include: 1. **Quantum Operators and States**: QuTiP allows users to easily define and manipulate quantum states (kets and density matrices) and operators (like Hamiltonians).
Quantum ESPRESSO
Quantum ESPRESSO is an open-source software suite designed for performing quantum mechanical simulations of materials. It is particularly focused on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and it provides tools for studying the electronic structure of materials, molecular dynamics, and various other physical properties.