I will discuss a joint work with Jose Canizo, Cao Chuqi and Havva Yolda. I will introduce Harris's theorem which is a classical theorem from the study of Markov Processes. Then I will discuss how to use this to show convergence to equilibrium for some spatially inhomogeneous kinetic equations involving jumps including jump processes which approximate diffusion or fractional diffusion in velocity. This is the situation in which the tools of 'Hypocoercivity' are used. I will discuss the connections to hypocoercivity theory and possible advantages and disadvantages of approaches via Harris's theorem.[-]

(Work in collaboration with C. Bardos and I. Moyano). Consider the linear Boltzmann equation of radiative transfer in a half-space, with constant scattering coefficient $\sigma$. Assume that, on the boundary of the half-space, the radiation intensity satisfies the Lambert (i.e. diffuse) reflection law with albedo coefficient $\alpha$. Moreover, assume that there is a temperature gradient on the boundary of the half-space, which radiates energy in the half-space according to the Stefan-Boltzmann law. In the asymptotic regime where $\sigma \to +\infty$ and $1 − \alpha ∼ C/\sigma$, we prove that the radiation pressure exerted on the boundary of the half-space is governed by a fractional diffusion equation. This result provides an example of fractional diffusion asymptotic limit of
a kinetic model which is based on the harmonic extension definition of $\sqrt{−\Delta}$. This fractional diffusion limit therefore differs from most of other such limits for kinetic models reported in the literature, which are based on specific properties of the equilibrium distributions (“heavy tails”) or of the scattering coefficient as in [U. Frisch-H. Frisch: Mon. Not. R. Astr. Not. 181 (1977), 273–280].[-]

Numerical approximation of the Boltzmann equation is a challenging problem due to its high-dimensional, nonlocal, and nonlinear collision integral. Over the past decade, the Fourier-Galerkin spectral method has become a popular deterministic method for solving the Boltzmann equation, manifested by its high accuracy and potential of being further accelerated by the fast Fourier transform. Albeit its practical success, the stability of the method is only recently proved by Filbet, F. & Mouhot, C. in [Trans.Amer.Math.Soc. 363, no. 4 (2011): 1947-1980.] by utilizing the”spreading” property of the collision operator. In this work, we provide anew proof based on a careful L2 estimate of the negative part of the solution. We also discuss the applicability of the result to various initial data, including both continuous and discontinuous functions. This is joint work with Kunlun Qi and Tong Yang.[-]

At the individual scale, bacteria as E. coli move by performing so-called run-and-tumble movements. This means that they alternate a jump (run phase) followed by fast re-organization phase (tumble) in which they decide of a new direction for run. For this reason, the population is described by a kinetic-Botlzmann equation of scattering type. Nonlinearity occurs when one takes into account chemotaxis, the release by the individual cells of a chemical in the environment and response by the population.

These models can explain experimental observations, fit precise measurements and sustain various scales. They also allow to derive, in the diffusion limit, macroscopic models (at the population scale), as the Flux-Limited Keller-Segel system, in opposition to the traditional Keller-Segel system, this model can sustain robust traveling bands as observed in Adler's famous experiment.

Furthermore, the modulation of the tumbles, can be understood using intracellular molecular pathways. Then, the kinetic-Boltzmann equation can be derived with a fast reaction scale. Long runs at the individual scale and abnormal diffusion at the population scale, can also be derived mathematically.[-]

Leveraging the existence of a hidden low-rank structure hinted by the diffusive limit, in this work, we design and test an angular space reduced order model for the linear radiative transfer equation based on reduced basis methods (RBMs). Our algorithm is built upon a high-fidelity solver employing the discrete ordinates method in the angular space, an upwind discontinuous Galerkin method for the physical space, with an efficient synthetic accelerated source iteration for the resulting linear system. Strategies are particularly proposed to tackle the challenges associated with the scattering operator within the RBM framework.
This is a joint work with Z.Peng, Y. Chen, and Y. Cheng.[-]

We are concerned with a mixture of Boltzmann and McKean-Vlasov type equations, this means (in probabilistic terms) equations with coefficients depending on the law of the solution itself, and driven by a Poisson point measure with the intensity depending also on the law of the solution. Both the analytical Boltzmann equation and the probabilistic interpretation initiated by Tanaka (1978) have intensively been discussed in the literature for specific models related to the behavior of gas molecules. In this paper, we consider general abstract coefficients that may include mean field effects and then we discuss the link with specific models as well. In contrast with the usual approach in which integral equations are used in order to state the problem, we employ here a new formulation of the problem in terms of flows of endomorphisms on the space of probability measure endowed with the Wasserstein distance. This point of view already appeared in the framework of rough differential equations. Our results concern existence and uniqueness of the solution, in the formulation of flows, but we also prove that the 'flow solution' is a solution of the classical integral weak equation and admits a probabilistic interpretation. Moreover, we obtain stability results and regularity with respect to the time for such solutions. Finally we prove the convergence of empirical measures based on particle systems to the solution of our problem, and we obtain the rate of convergence. We discuss as examples the homogeneous and the inhomogeneous Boltzmann (Enskog) equation with hard potentials.
Joint work with Aurélien Alfonsi.[-]