Search Results
Coarse-graining via EDP-convergence for linear fast-slow reaction systems
2019, Mielke, Alexander, Stephan, Artur
We consider linear reaction systems with slow and fast reactions, which can be interpreted as master equations or Kolmogorov forward equations for Markov processes on a finite state space. We investigate their limit behavior if the fast reaction rates tend to infinity, which leads to a coarse-grained model where the fast reactions create microscopically equilibrated clusters, while the exchange mass between the clusters occurs on the slow time scale. Assuming detailed balance the reaction system can be written as a gradient flow with respect to the relative entropy. Focusing on the physically relevant cosh-type gradient structure we show how an effective limit gradient structure can be rigorously derived and that the coarse-grained equation again has a cosh-type gradient structure. We obtain the strongest version of convergence in the sense of the Energy-Dissipation Principle (EDP), namely EDP-convergence with tilting.
Exploring families of energy-dissipation landscapes via tilting -- Three types of EDP convergence
2019, Mielke, Alexander, Montefusco, Alberto, Peletier, Mark A.
This paper revolves around a subtle distinction between two concepts: passing to the limit in a family of gradient systems, on one hand, and deriving effective kinetic relations on the other. The two concepts are strongly related, and in many examples they even appear to be the same. Our main contributions are to show that they are different, to show that well-known techniques developed for the former may give incorrect results for the latter, and to introduce new tools to remedy this. The approach is based on the Energy-Dissipation Principle that provides a variational formulation to gradient-flow equations that allows one to apply techniques from Γ-convergence of functional on states and functionals on trajectories.
Multi-dimensional modeling and simulation of semiconductor nanophotonic devices
2019, Kantner, Markus, Höhne, Theresa, Koprucki, Thomas, Burger, Sven, Wünsche, Hans-Jürgen, Schmidt, Frank, Mielke, Alexander, Bandelow, Uwe
Self-consistent modeling and multi-dimensional simulation of semiconductor nanophotonic devices is an important tool in the development of future integrated light sources and quantum devices. Simulations can guide important technological decisions by revealing performance bottlenecks in new device concepts, contribute to their understanding and help to theoretically explore their optimization potential. The efficient implementation of multi-dimensional numerical simulations for computer-aided design tasks requires sophisticated numerical methods and modeling techniques. We review recent advances in device-scale modeling of quantum dot based single-photon sources and laser diodes by self-consistently coupling the optical Maxwell equations with semiclassical carrier transport models using semi-classical and fully quantum mechanical descriptions of the optically active region, respectively. For the simulation of realistic devices with complex, multi-dimensional geometries, we have developed a novel hp-adaptive finite element approach for the optical Maxwell equations, using mixed meshes adapted to the multi-scale properties of the photonic structures. For electrically driven devices, we introduced novel discretization and parameter-embedding techniques to solve the drift-diffusion system for strongly degenerate semiconductors at cryogenic temperature. Our methodical advances are demonstrated on various applications, including vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, grating couplers and single-photon sources.
Thermoviscoelasticity in Kelvin--Voigt rheology at large strains
2019, Mielke, Alexander, Roubíček, Tomáš
The frame-indifferent thermodynamically-consistent model of thermoviscoelasticity at large strain is formulated in the reference configuration with using the concept of the second-grade nonsimple materials. We focus on physically correct viscous stresses that are frame indifferent under time-dependent rotations. Also elastic stresses are frame indifferent under rotations and respect positivity of the determinant of the deformation gradient. The heat transfer is governed by the Fourier law in the actual deformed configuration, which leads to a nontrivial description when pulled back into the reference configuration. Existence of weak solutions in the quasistatic setting, i.e. inertial forces are ignored, is shown by time discretization.
Mathematical modeling of semiconductors: From quantum mechanics to devices
2019, Kantner, Markus, Mielke, Alexander, Mittnenzweig, Markus, Rotundo, Nella
We discuss recent progress in the mathematical modeling of semiconductor devices. The central result of this paper is a combined quantum-classical model that self-consistently couples van Roosbroeck's drift-diffusion system for classical charge transport with a Lindblad-type quantum master equation. The coupling is shown to obey fundamental principles of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. The appealing thermodynamic properties are shown to arise from the underlying mathematical structure of a damped Hamitlonian system, which is an isothermal version of so-called GENERIC systems. The evolution is governed by a Hamiltonian part and a gradient part involving a Poisson operator and an Onsager operator as geoemtric structures, respectively. Both parts are driven by the conjugate forces given in terms of the derivatives of a suitable free energy.