Low discrepancy sequences for solving the Boltzmann equation (Q1118378)

The solution of the Boltzmann equation for purposes of spaces vehicle aerodynamics is considered. A modification of the direct simulation Monte Carlo scheme for approximation of the velocity distribution by a sum of Dirac particles is used. The analysis is restricted to an infinite spatially homogeneous and isotropic gas. For improving the convergence properties of these schemes number theory is applied. Error bounds are estimated for the new method which is called low discrepancy method. The conclusion is that the introduction of some number-theoretic concepts in the analysis of simulation schemes for the Boltzmann equation seems promising.