Integral from distribution function

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a distribution function related to particle density in a beam, expressed in terms of variables z, p, and t. The original poster seeks to calculate the mean position <z> as a function of time, utilizing integrals over the distribution function.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the interpretation of the distribution function and its components, questioning the meaning of symbols like δ and . There is an exploration of how to set up the integrals for calculating the mean position, with attempts to clarify the dimensionality of the variables involved.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights regarding the notation and potential simplifications, while others are exploring the implications of assuming one-dimensional integrals. There is an ongoing examination of how to approach the integration process, particularly regarding the dependencies between variables.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the ambiguity in the definitions of δz and δp, suggesting they may represent error parameters. The discussion also highlights the need for clarity on whether the problem is truly three-dimensional or can be simplified to one-dimensional integrals.

_Matt87_
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Homework Statement


hi, so I've got this distribution function:
f(z,p,t)=\frac{1}{2\pi\partial z\partial p}exp(-\frac{[z-v(p)t]^2}{2\partial z^2})exp(-\frac{[p-p_0]^2}{2\partial p^2})

where:
v(p)=v_0+\alpha(p-p_0)
v_0=\frac{p_0}{m\gamma_0}
\alpha=\frac{1}{m\gamma_0^3}

I have to calculate the mean position as a function of time\langle z \rangle

Homework Equations



I've got a hint too which doesn't help me at all to be honest ;] :
All the integrals over z required to calculate the averages can be expressed in therms of I_\nu =\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty}\,ds \ s^\nu exp(-s^2) with I_0=\sqrt{\pi}, I_1=0,\ and \ I_2=\sqrt{\pi}/2, by substitution and a suitable choice of the order of integration.



The Attempt at a Solution


Presented function is I think distribution of particles in a beam in longitudinal phase space, and in that case
\int \,d^3p\ f(z,p,t)=n(z,t) which is the particle density and \int \,d^3z\ n(r,t)=N which is particles number.
So I think that mean position should look like this:
\langle z \rangle=\frac{\int\,d^3z\int\,d^3p \ z\ f(z,p,t)}{N}
so
\langle z \rangle=\frac{\int\,d^3z\int\,d^3p \ z \ f(z,p,t)}{\int\,d^3z\int\,d^3p\ f(z,p,t)}
am I right? if yes, how to start solving this kind of integral. I mean something like even this :
\int\,d^3z\frac{1}{2\pi\partial z\partial p} ... those partials go before the integral .. or what?


btw. I attached two files with the actual assignment, and a slide from lecture that is supposed to tell me everything ;)
 

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##\delta## doesn't mean ##\partial##. ##\delta z## and ##\delta p## are just constants.
 
oh... right :) thanks.

what about 'the hint'? ;]
 
_Matt87_ said:

Homework Statement


hi, so I've got this distribution function:
f(z,p,t)=\frac{1}{2\pi\partial z\partial p}exp(-\frac{[z-v(p)t]^2}{2\partial z^2})exp(-\frac{[p-p_0]^2}{2\partial p^2})

where:
v(p)=v_0+\alpha(p-p_0)
v_0=\frac{p_0}{m\gamma_0}
\alpha=\frac{1}{m\gamma_0^3}

I have to calculate the mean position as a function of time\langle z \rangle

Homework Equations



I've got a hint too which doesn't help me at all to be honest ;] :
All the integrals over z required to calculate the averages can be expressed in therms of I_\nu =\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty}\,ds \ s^\nu exp(-s^2) with I_0=\sqrt{\pi}, I_1=0,\ and \ I_2=\sqrt{\pi}/2, by substitution and a suitable choice of the order of integration.



The Attempt at a Solution


Presented function is I think distribution of particles in a beam in longitudinal phase space, and in that case
\int \,d^3p\ f(z,p,t)=n(z,t) which is the particle density and \int \,d^3z\ n(r,t)=N which is particles number.
So I think that mean position should look like this:
\langle z \rangle=\frac{\int\,d^3z\int\,d^3p \ z\ f(z,p,t)}{N}
so
\langle z \rangle=\frac{\int\,d^3z\int\,d^3p \ z \ f(z,p,t)}{\int\,d^3z\int\,d^3p\ f(z,p,t)}
am I right? if yes, how to start solving this kind of integral. I mean something like even this :
\int\,d^3z\frac{1}{2\pi\partial z\partial p} ... those partials go before the integral .. or what?


btw. I attached two files with the actual assignment, and a slide from lecture that is supposed to tell me everything ;)

Besides what Vela has pointed out to you, there is also the important issue of whether ##\delta z^2## means ##\delta(z^2)## (an "error" parameter for ##z^2##) or whether it means ##(\delta z)^2## (the square of the "error" parameter for ##z##). Using simpler symbols like ##a## and ##b## instead of ##\delta z## and ##\delta p## would be a very great help, both to you and to us. (As as genera rule, choosing simpler notation helps when dealing with lengthy and complicated calculations; often, it is a good idea to replace the problem's notation by your own before starting on the problem. Then, in the final answer you can put back the original notation. Years of experience has taught me the value of doing that!)
 
I'm not quite sure what is the \delta z or \delta p. It doesn't say, although I think that you guys are right that if f(z,p,t) represents a distribution of particles in a beam then \delta z and \delta p could be the errors. Let suppose that it's acutally (\delta z)^2 and (\delta p)^2 and that they're A and B

I'm still not sure that for example in this integral \int\,d^3z\int\,d^3p\ f(z,p,t)
we've got \,d^3z and \,d^3p and if I assume that the beam goes in one direction (z) then can the integral be actually written like this? \int\,dz\int\,dp\ f(z,p,t)

if yes then is that right? :

\int\,dz\int\,dp\ exp(\frac{-z^2+2zV(p)t-V(p)^2t^2}{2A})exp(\frac{-p^2+2pp_0-(p_0)^2}{2B})=\\ exp(-\frac{(p_0)^2}{2B})\int\,dz\int\,dp \exp(-\frac{z^2}{2A})exp(\frac{zV(p)t}{A})exp(-\frac{V(p)^2t^2}{2A})exp(-\frac{p^2}{2B})exp(\frac{pp_0}{B})

what about this second exp? it depends on both z and p? (others I can integrate over either z or p)
 
_Matt87_ said:
I'm not quite sure what is the \delta z or \delta p. It doesn't say, although I think that you guys are right that if f(z,p,t) represents a distribution of particles in a beam then \delta z and \delta p could be the errors. Let suppose that it's acutally (\delta z)^2 and (\delta p)^2 and that they're A and B

I'm still not sure that for example in this integral \int\,d^3z\int\,d^3p\ f(z,p,t)
we've got \,d^3z and \,d^3p and if I assume that the beam goes in one direction (z) then can the integral be actually written like this? \int\,dz\int\,dp\ f(z,p,t)

if yes then is that right? :

\int\,dz\int\,dp\ exp(\frac{-z^2+2zV(p)t-V(p)^2t^2}{2A})exp(\frac{-p^2+2pp_0-(p_0)^2}{2B})=\\ exp(-\frac{(p_0)^2}{2B})\int\,dz\int\,dp \exp(-\frac{z^2}{2A})exp(\frac{zV(p)t}{A})exp(-\frac{V(p)^2t^2}{2A})exp(-\frac{p^2}{2B})exp(\frac{pp_0}{B})

what about this second exp? it depends on both z and p? (others I can integrate over either z or p)

I suspect that p and z are one-dimensional, not 3-D (because you speak of a beam). If they were 3-dimensional your problem would be an uncomputable mess, because (at least for z) you would need geometric boundaries perpendicular to the beam's axis, etc.

To make further progress you need to actually use the given form of v(p), in order to reduce everything to a couple of computable gaussian-type integrations. If you start by first doing the p-integration, you need to combine all the terms having p in them, whether they come from the first factor or the second one. In other words, your p-integration may also contain z as a "parameter", and that can modify the form of the later z-integration (assuming you integrate first over p and then over z).
 
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