Simulations of Cosmological Structure Formation in 6D Phase Space

星系形成和大尺度结构的研究在很大程度上依赖于N体模拟，N体模拟是测试和指导理论研究以及为观测计划提供信息的有效实验室。这样的模拟试图用离散的粒子样本来近似完全表征手头系统的连续分布函数(DF)。这项工作将为理论模型的评估提供坚实的基础，通过构建高效的算法来在全六维相空间中进化出与宇宙相关的DF，这是一项相当艰巨的任务，由于可用计算能力的增长而变得容易处理。6D问题将通过1D和4D来处理。这项研究将创造出高效的计算工具，用于理论天体物理、等离子体物理和计算流体力学。它将提供宇宙结构形成的基准模拟，并导致研究某些类型表面的几何算法的创新。该项目将吸引美国贝鲁特大学和邻近大学的学生从事基础研究工作。这种参与将有助于使科学计算成为大学研究和教育的中流砥柱。这项研究的广泛合作维度将使学生有资格接触到当前的科学实践，否则就会相当狭隘。

AST-0507401ToumaStudies of the formation of galaxies and of large-scale structure rely heavily on N-body simulations, which act as efficient laboratories to test and guide theoretical investigations, and to inform observational programs. Such simulations try to approximate the continuous distribution function (DF) that fully characterizes the system at hand, with a discrete sample of particles. This work will provide solid foundations for evaluation of theoretical models, by constructing efficient algorithms to evolve a cosmologically relevant DF in the full six-dimensional phase space, a rather daunting task made tractable by the growth in available computational power. The 6D problem will be approached via 1D and 4D. The research will create efficient computational tools of use in theoretical astrophysics, plasma physics and computational fluid dynamics. It will provide benchmark simulations of cosmological structure formation, and lead to innovations in geometrical algorithms for the study of certain types of surfaces.The project will engage students at the American University of Beirut and neighboring universities in fundamental research work. This involvement will help to make scientific computing a mainstay of research and education at the University. The broad collaborative dimension of the research will qualify the students' otherwise rather narrow exposure to current scientific practice.