As our title suggests, there are two aspects in the subject of this book. The first is the mathematical investigation of the dynamics of infinite systems of in teracting particles and the description of the time evolution of their states. The second is the rigorous derivation of kinetic equations starting from the results of the aforementioned investigation. As is well known, statistical mechanics started in the last century with some papers written by Maxwell and Boltzmann. Although some of their statements seemed statistically obvious, we must prove that they do not contradict what me chanics predicts. In some cases, in particular for equilibrium states, it turns out that mechanics easily provides the required justification. However things are not so easy, if we take a step forward and consider a gas is not in equilibrium, as is, e.g., the case for air around a flying vehicle. Questions of this kind have been asked since the dawn of the kinetic theory of gases, especially when certain results appeared to lead to paradoxical conclu sions. Today this matter is rather well understood and a rigorous kinetic theory is emerging. The importance of these developments stems not only from the need of providing a careful foundation of such a basic physical theory, but also to exhibit a prototype of a mathematical construct central to the theory of non-equilibrium phenomena of macroscopic size.

In recent years kinetic theory has developed in many areas of the physical sciences and engineering, and has extended the borders of its traditional fields of application. New applications in traffic flow engineering, granular media modeling, and polymer and phase transition physics have resulted in new numerical algorithms which depart from traditional stochastic Monte--Carlo methods. This monograph is a self-contained presentation of such recently developed aspects of kinetic theory, as well as a comprehensive account of the fundamentals of the theory. Emphasizing modeling techniques and numerical methods, the book provides a unified treatment of kinetic equations not found in more focused theoretical or applied works. The book is divided into two parts. Part I is devoted to the most fundamental kinetic model: the Boltzmann equation of rarefied gas dynamics. Additionally, widely used numerical methods for the discretization of the Boltzmann equation are reviewed: the Monte--Carlo method, spectral methods, and finite-difference methods. Part II considers specific applications: plasma kinetic modeling using the Landau--Fokker--Planck equations, traffic flow modeling, granular media modeling, quantum kinetic modeling, and coagulation-fragmentation problems. Modeling and Computational Methods of Kinetic Equations will be accessible to readers working in different communities where kinetic theory is important: graduate students, researchers and practitioners in mathematical physics, applied mathematics, and various branches of engineering. The work may be used for self-study, as a reference text, or in graduate-level courses in kinetic theory and its applications.

The series is devoted to the publication of high-level monographs and specialized graduate texts which cover the whole spectrum of applied mathematics, including its numerical aspects. The focus of the series is on the interplay between mathematical and numerical analysis, and also on its applications to mathematical models in the physical and life sciences. The aim of the series is to be an active forum for the dissemination of up-to-date information in the form of authoritative works that will serve the applied mathematics community as the basis for further research. Editorial Board Rémi Abgrall, Universität Zürich, Switzerland José Antonio Carrillo de la Plata, University of Oxford, UK Jean-Michel Coron, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France Athanassios S. Fokas, Cambridge University, UK Irene Fonseca, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA

Boltzmann and Vlasov equations played a great role in the past and still play an important role in modern natural sciences, technique and even philosophy of science. Classical Boltzmann equation derived in 1872 became a cornerstone for the molecular-kinetic theory, the second law of thermodynamics (increasing entropy) and derivation of the basic hydrodynamic equations. After modifications, the fields and numbers of its applications have increased to include diluted gas, radiation, neutral particles transportation, atmosphere optics and nuclear reactor modelling. Vlasov equation was obtained in 1938 and serves as a basis of plasma physics and describes large-scale processes and galaxies in astronomy, star wind theory.This book provides a comprehensive review of both equations and presents both classical and modern applications. In addition, it discusses several open problems of great importance. - Reviews the whole field from the beginning to today - Includes practical applications - Provides classical and modern (semi-analytical) solutions

This book presents quantum kinetic theory in a comprehensive way. The focus is on density operator methods and on non-equilibrium Green functions. The theory allows to rigorously treat nonequilibrium dynamics in quantum many-body systems. Of particular interest are ultrafast processes in plasmas, condensed matter and trapped atoms that are stimulated by rapidly developing experiments with short pulse lasers and free electron lasers. To describe these experiments theoretically, the most powerful approach is given by non-Markovian quantum kinetic equations that are discussed in detail, including computational aspects.

This is the second supplementary volume to Kluwer's highly acclaimed eleven-volume Encyclopaedia of Mathematics. This additional volume contains nearly 500 new entries written by experts and covers developments and topics not included in the previous volumes. These entries are arranged alphabetically throughout and a detailed index is included. This supplementary volume enhances the existing eleven volumes, and together these twelve volumes represent the most authoritative, comprehensive and up-to-date Encyclopaedia of Mathematics available.

Mathematical modelling of systems constituted by many agents using kinetic theory is a new tool that has proved effective in predicting the emergence of collective behaviours and self-organization. This idea has been applied by the authors to various problems which range from sociology to economics and life sciences.