Journal of Applied Mechanical Engineering

A fluid dynamics approach to the dynamics of microscopic systems

Global Summit and Expo on Fluid Dynamics & Aerodynamics

August 15-16, 2016 London, UK

Eric Suraud

Universite Paul Sabatier, France

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Appl Mech Eng

Abstract:

We propose a fluid dynamical approach to the dynamics of microscopic metal systems. The theory is equivalent to a timedependent Thomas-Fermi approach to the (possibly nonlinear) dynamics of many-fermion systems. The approach relies on an hydrodynamical picture describing the system in terms of collective flow. We investigate, in particular, applications to electron dynamics in metal clusters (with applications in particular to plasmon response or irradiation dynamics). We make extensive comparisons with fully fledged quantal dynamical calculations and find an overall good agreement. The approach thus provides a reliable and inexpensive scheme to study the electronic response of large metal clusters. Conversely, it is interesting to note that the practical numerical implementation of such a fluid dynamics approach relies on the actual solution of the Quantum Schroedinger equation. Both approaches can be directly related via the Madelung transform. There exists, well established numerical approaches to solve the time dependent Schroedinger equation. These approaches are very robust, numerically speaking, hence the numerically simple and robust method to solve hydrodynamics this way. Possible applications of such an approach in bulk material under irradiation are outlined.

Biography :

Eric Suraud is distinguished Professor of Physics at Toulouse University in France and Member of Institut Universitaire de France and of European Academy of Sciences and Academia Europaea. He also had several high level responsibilities in the administration of research in France. After a PhD in Paris and a 10 years of activity in nuclear physics, he turned towards electronic dynamics in the mid 1990’s. He has published more than 170 papers in peer review journals and 7 books. He has been invited to more than 130 international conferences and gave many seminars in laboratories all over the world.

Email: suraud@irsamc.ups-tlse.fr