An equation for the characteristic curve of a family of symmetric periodic orbits

Szebehely's equation for the inverse problem of Dynamics is used to obtain the equation of the characteristic curve of a familyf(x,y)=c of planar periodic orbits (crossing perpendicularly thex-axis) created by a certain potentialV(x,y). Analytic expressions for the characteristic curves are found both in sideral and synodic systems. Examples are offered for both cases. It is shown also that from a given characteristic curve, associated with a given potential, one can obtain an analytic expression for the slope of the orbit at any point.     

Generalization of Szebehely's equation

Szebehely's partial differential equation for the force functionU=U(x,y) which gives rise to a given family of planar orbitsf(x,y)=Constant is generalized to account for velocity-dependent potentials V^*=V^*(x,y, ). The new partial differential equation is quasi-linear and of the first order. An example is given and a comparison is made of the two equations.     

Boundary curves for families of planar orbits

For monoparametric familiesf(x,y)=c of planar orbits, created by a planar potentialV(x,y), we introduce the notion of the family boundary curves (FBC). All members of the familyf(x,y)=c are traced in an allowable region of thexy plane, defined by the corresponding FBC, with total energyE=E(c) varying along the family. Family boundary curves are also found for two-parametric familiesf(x,y,b)=c. The relation of equilibrium points and asymptotic orbits, possibly possessed by the potentialV(x,y), to be FBC is studied.     

Solution of the three-dimensional inverse problem

The three dimensional inverse problem for a material point of unit mass, moving in an autonomous conservative field, is solved. Given a two-parametric family of space curvesf(x, y, z)=c ₁,g(x, y, z)=c ₂, it is shown that, in general, no potentialU=U(x, y, z) exists which can give rise to this family. However, if the given functionsf(x, y, z) andg(x, y, z) satisfy certain conditions, the corresponding potentialU(x, y, z), as well as the total energyE=E(f, g) are determined uniquely, apart from a multiplicative and an additive constant.     

On the adelphic potentials compatible with a set of planar orbits

Given a planar potentialB=B(x, y), compatible with a monoparametric family of planar orbitsf(x, y)=c, we face the problem of producing potentialsA=A(x, y), adelphic toB(x, y), i.e. nontrivial potentials which have in common withB(x, y) the given set of orbits. We establish a linear, second order partial differential equation for a functionP(x, y) and we prove that, to any definite positive solution of this equation, there corresponds a potentialA(x, y) adelphic toB(x, y).     

Intrinsic stability of periodic orbits

Families of orbits of a conservative, two degree-of-freedom system are represented by an unsteady velocity field with componentsu(x, y, t) andv(x, y, t). Intrinsic stability properties depend on velocity field divergence and curl, whose dynamical evolution is determined by a matrix Riccati equation. Near equilibrium, divergence-free or irrotational fields are dynamically compatible with the conservative force field. It is shown that a necessary condition for stable periodic orbits is satisfied when the orbitaveraged divergence is zero, which results in bounded normal variations. A sufficient condition for stability is derived from the requirement that tangential variations do not exhibit secular growth.In a steady, divergence-free field, velocity component functionsu(x, y) andv(x, y) may be continuedanalytically from any initial condition, except when velocity is parallel to U or at equilibria. In an unsteady field, the orbit-averaged divergence is zero when the vorticity function is periodic. When such a field exists, initial conditions for stable periodic orbits (i.e., characteristic loci) may be determinedanalytically.     

Two‐dimension potentials which generate spatial families of orbits

We consider the following case of the 3D inverse problem of dynamics: Given a spatial two‐parametric family of curves f (x, y, z) = c₁, g (x, y, z) = c₂, find possibly existing two‐dimension potentials under whose action the curves of the family are trajectories for a unit mass particle. First we establish the conditions which must be fulfilled by the family so that potentials of the form w (y, z) give rise to the curves of the family, and we present some applications. Then we examine briefly the existence of potentials depending on (x, z), respectively (x, y), which are compatible with the given family (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A unified presentation of the Voigt functions

In the present paper, we have given a generalization of a unified study of the Voigt functionsK(x, y) andL(x, y) obtained by Srivastava and Miller (1987; Vol. 135, pp. 111–118) which play an important role in several diverse fields of physics-such as astrophysical spectroscopy and the theory of neutron reactions. Explicit expressions for these functions are given in terms of relatively more familiar special functions of one and two variables; indeed, each of these representations will naturally lead to various other needed properties of the Voigt functions.     

Families of orbits in planar anisotropic fields

The aim of the planar inverse problem of dynamics is: given a monoparametric family of curves f(x, y) = c, find the potential V (x, y) under whose action a material point of unit mass can describe the curves of the family. In this study we look for V in the class of the anisotropic potentials V(x, y) = v(a²x² + y²), (a=constant). These potentials have been used lately in the search of connections between classical, quantum, and relativistic mechanics. We establish a general condition which must be satisfied by all the families produced by an anisotropic potential. We treat special cases regarding the families (e. g. families traced isoenergetically) and we present certain pertinent examples of compatible pairs of families of curves and anisotropic potentials. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

An analysis of close binaries (CB) based on photometric measurements

The subject of the paper is the problem of stellar differntial rotation in close binaries (CB) ofRS CV n type. The differential-rotation parameters we find on the basis of the migration of the depression in the light curves caused by the spot effect over the orbital phase. For that purpose, a simple model (Bussoet al., 1985) and inverse-problem procedure, based on the Marquardt (1963) algorithm, are used. To verify the obtained solutions, the SIMPLEX algorithm (Torczon, 1991) is applied, suitable for the nonlinear parameter optimisation. This algorithm enables a correct solution of the nonlinear equation system describing the differential rotation. The procedure is applied in the determination of the parameters of differential rotation forCV Cam, VV Mon andSS Boo binaries.     

A new integration theory for conservative two degree-of-freedom systems

A two degree-of-freedom, conservative system is reduced to a single degree-of-freedom, kinematic system with Hamiltonian integral under the change of independent variable: $$dt = \zeta dt (\zeta = \upsilon _x - \upsilon _y )$$ where ζ is the curl (or vorticity) of the velocity field with cartesian inertial componentsu(x, y, t) andv(x, y, t). In the autonomous case whenu _t=v _t=0, orbits are globally represented by the level curves of an autonomous Hamiltonian functionH(x,y) satisfying a second-order quasilinear partial differential equation (Szebehely's Equation): $$2(H + U)\left( {H_{xx} H_y^2 - 2H_{xy} H_x H_y + H_{yy} H_x^2 } \right) + (H_x U_x + H_y U_y )\left( {H_x^2 + H_y^2 } \right) = 0$$ whereU(x, y) is the autonomous potential function. An inversion of dependent and independent variables reduces this equation to a second-order, ordinary differential equation for a function specifying the orbital curve. The true time variable is recovered by evaluating a quadrature. Fundamental differences exist between this approach and Hamilton-Jacobi theory.     

A unified presentation of the Voigt functions

This paper aims at presenting a unified study of the Voigt functionsK(x,y) andL(x,y) which play a rather important role in several diverse fields of physics such as astrophysical spectroscopy and the theory of neutron reactions. Explicit expressions for these functions are given in terms of relatively more familiar special functions of one and two variables; indeed, each of these representations will naturally lead to various other needed properties of the Voigt functions.     

Solvable cases of Szebehely's equation

Szebehely’s equation is a first order partial differential equation relating a given family of orbits f (x, y) = q traced by a unit mass material point, the total energy E=E(f), and the unknown potential V=V (x, y) which produces the family. Although linear in V, this equation cannot generally be solved. In this paper we develop the reasoning for finding several cases for which Szebehely’s equation can be solved by quadratures. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Computational developments for distance determination of stellar groups

In this paper, we consider a statistical method for distance determination of stellar groups. The method depends on the assumption that the members of the group scatter around a mean absolute magnitude in Gaussian distribution. The mean apparent magnitude of the members is then expressed by frequency function, so as to correct for observational incompleteness at the faint end. The problem reduces to the solution of a highly transcendental equation for a given magnitude parameter α. For the computational developments of the problem, continued fraction by the Top-Down algorithm was developed and applied for the evaluation of the error function erf(z). The distance equation Λ(y) = 0 was solved by an iterative method of second order of convergence using homotopy continuation technique. This technique does not need any prior knowledge of the initial guess, a property which avoids the critical situations between divergent and very slow convergent solutions, that may exist in the applications of other iterative methods depending on initial guess.     

Theory of relativity and super-luminal speeds

It is possible that the Finsler space-timeF( _{x, y} ) may be endowed with a catastrophic nature. In particular, the horizon of the field of the general relativity is just a catastrophic set. If so, a particle with the super-luminal speeds could be projected near the horizon of these fields, and the particle will move on the space-like curves. It is very interesting that, in the Schwarzschild fields, the theoretical calculation as the space-like curves should be in agreement with the data of the superluminal expansion of extragalactic radio sources observed year after year.The project has been supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

The solution of radiation transfer problem for a slab with space-dependent albedo and anisotropic scattering

The transport of thermal radiation has been considered within a finite slab which absorb and scatter anisotropically. The problem involves the space-dependent single-scattering albedow(x). Two approximations are taken forw(x). In the first it is represented in exponential form asw(x)=w ₀ exp(–x/s), wherew ₀ ands are given constants andx is the optical variable. The second approximation assumes the formw(x) = _r=0 ^R d _r ^* p _r (x/a), whered _r ^* are known expansion coefficients anda is the half optical thickness of the slab. Analytic expressions for the forward, backward radiation intensities and fluxes are given in each approximation. The solution of the linear transport equation is performed on the basis of integral Fourier transforms.     

Force and energy balance in the transition region network

Two-dimensional numerical models of the solar transition region are calculated using an inverse coordinates method which attains pressure equilibrium between the network magnetic field and the external comparatively field-free gas. If A(y, z) is the magnetic potential (a scalar in 2D), which is constant on field lines, the method involves interchanging dependent and independent variables to obtain a quasi-linear PDE for y(A, z), which is solved iteratively. The advantage of this approach is that magnetic field lines, including any magnetic interface, become coordinate lines, thereby simplifying the energy equation and free boundary problem. In order to examine the effects of self-consistent geometry on the thermal structure of the transition region network, we calculate four models. The energy balance includes the effects of radiation, conduction, and enthalpy flux. It is confirmed that the lower branch of the emission measure curve cannot be explained within the single fluxtube model if the classical Spitzer thermal conductivity is used. However, by including a turbulent thermal conductivity as proposed by Cally (1990a), transition region models are obtained for which the resulting emission measure curves exhibit the correct behaviour, including the observed turn-up below about 200 000 K. In summary, the broad conclusions of previous non-turbulent 2D models are confirmed, but most importantly, the turbulent conductivity hypothesis tested in 1D by Cally is shown to produce excellent agreement with observations in the more realistic geometry.     

Fourier techniques for an analysis of eclipsing binary light curves: I

The Fourier techniques developed so far for an analysis of eclipsing binary light curves have been re-discussed. The Fourier coefficients for the analysis have been derived in a simple form of series expansions, in terms of eclipse elements, valid for any type of eclipse (regardless of whetherr ₁r ₂).These coefficients may be utilized to solve the eclipse elements in terms of the observed characteristics of the light curves. A general relation between the observed quantitiesl and , and the eclipse elementsr _1,2,i andL ₁ has also been given in the form of series expansions which can be used for the synthesis of the light curves.     

Special Families of Orbits in the Direct Problem of Dynamics

The direct problem of dynamics in two dimensions is modeled by a nonlinear second-order partial differential equation, which is therefore difficult to be solved. The task may be made easier by adding some constraints on the unknown function = f _y /f _x , where f(x, y) = c is the monoparametric family of orbits traced in the xy Cartesian plane by a material point of unit mass, under the action of a given potential V(x, y). If the function is supposed to verify a linear first-order partial differential equation, for potentials V satisfying a differential condition, can be found as a common solution of certain polynomial equations.The various situations which can appear are discussed and are then illustrated by some examples, for which the energy on the members of the family, as well as the region where the motion takes place, are determined. One example is dedicated to a Hénon—Heiles type potential, while another one gives rise to families of isothermal curves (a special case of orthogonal families). The connection between the inverse/direct problem of dynamics and the possibility of detecting integrability of a given potential is briefly discussed.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A direct numerical approach to the Chandrasekhar'sH-functions for arbitrary characteristic functions

The purpose of this paper is to present a numerical technique to directly compute the Chandrasekhar'sH ()-function for anisotropic scattering in terms of the roots of the characteristic equations as well as the quadrature points of a certain degreen employed to approximate the definite integral involved in the basic equation. The principal feature of the algorithm proposed here is a compact computer code to enumerate _n C _m combinations ofn distinct integers {1,...,n} takenm at a time. With these quantities available, the coefficients of the polynomial equation of the characteristics equation can be readily computed for any given characteristic function, so that a standard technique such as the Laguerre method can be applied to find all the roots.It is shown that the results obtained for some representativeH()-functions using the present technique with relatively low-order formula (e.g.,n=7) are sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes.