Microscopic models of hydrodynamic behavior

Joel L. Lebowitz, Errico Presutti, Herbert Spohn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

97 Scopus citations

Abstract

We review recent developments in the rigorous derivation of hydrodynamic-type macroscopic equations from simple microscopic models: continuous time stochastic cellular automata. The deterministic evolution of hydrodynamic variables emerges as the "law of large numbers," which holds with probability one in the limit in which the ratio of the microscopic to the macroscopic spatial and temporal scales go to zero. We also study fluctuations in the microscopic system about the solution of the macroscopic equations. These can lead, in cases where the latter exhibit instabilities, to complete divergence in behavior between the two at long macroscopic times. Examples include Burgers' equation with shocks and diffusion-reaction equations with traveling fronts.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)841-862
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Statistical Physics
Volume51
Issue number5-6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1988
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Stochastic particle systems
  • fluctuation theory
  • hydrodynamic limit

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Microscopic models of hydrodynamic behavior'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this