A direct simulation Monte Carlo scheme and uniformly distributed sequences for solving the Boltzmann equation (Q1111358)

The direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) scheme of \textit{K. Nanbu} [Direct simulation scheme derived from the Boltzmann equation. I: Monocomponent gases, J. Phys. Soc. Japan 49, 2042--2049 (1980)] is considered for the solution of the Boltzmann equation in a simplified case. It is interpreted as a one-step method using particles combined with numerical quadratures after each step. A modified scheme in which the particles are ordered after each step is proposed. It is called the low discrepancy (LD) method. The error of the LD method is defined as the discrepancy of the set of particles relative to the exact solution. This error estimated by means of other discrepancies, namely those of the sequences which perform the quadratures. The replacement of pseudo-random numbers used in the quadratures by uniformly distributed sequences is consequently suggested. Numerical comparisons are given between the DSMC scheme and the LD method that repeatedly uses the Hammersley sequence in the quadratures (LDH method).