https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2016-16218-0
Regular Article
Accuracy of the non-relativistic approximation for momentum diffusion
Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
* e-mail: lan.boon.leong@monash.edu
Received:
31
March
2016
Accepted:
24
May
2016
Published online:
29
June
2016
The accuracy of the non-relativistic approximation, which is calculated using the same parameter and the same initial ensemble of trajectories, to relativistic momentum diffusion at low speed is studied numerically for a prototypical nonlinear Hamiltonian system -the periodically delta-kicked particle. We find that if the initial ensemble is a non-localized semi-uniform ensemble, the non-relativistic approximation to the relativistic mean square momentum displacement is always accurate. However, if the initial ensemble is a localized Gaussian, the non-relativistic approximation may not always be accurate and the approximation can break down rapidly.
© The Author(s), 2016
