Boltzmann-type kinetic equations and discrete models

Abstract

The known non-linear kinetic equations (in particular, the wave kinetic equation and the quantum Nordheim-Uehling-Uhlenbeck equations) are considered as a natural generalization of the classical spatially homogeneous Boltzmann equation. To this goal we introduce the general Boltzmann-type kinetic equation that depends on a function of four real variables $F(x,y;v,w)$. The function $F$ is assumed to satisfy certain commutation relations. The general properties of this equation are studied. It is shown that the kinetic equations mentioned above correspond to different forms of the function (polynomial) $F$. Then the problem of discretization of the general Boltzmann-type kinetic equation is considered on the basis of ideas which are similar to those used for the construction of discrete models of the Boltzmann equation. The main attention is paid to discrete models of the wave kinetic equation. It is shown that such models have a monotone functional similar to the Boltzmann $H$-function. The existence and uniqueness theorem for global in time solution of the Cauchy problem for these models is proved. Moreover, it is proved that the solution converges to the equilibrium solution when time goes to infinity. The properties of the equilibrium solution and the connection with solutions of the wave kinetic equation are discussed. The problem of the approximation of the Boltzmann-type equation by its discrete models is also discussed. The paper contains a concise introduction to the Boltzmann equation and its main properties. In principle, it allows one to read the paper without any preliminary knowledge in kinetic theory. Bibliography: 61 titles.