Need help evaluating flux integral

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    Flux Integral
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating a complex flux integral related to neutron flux from a disc emitter through an aperture. Participants explore various mathematical techniques to find an analytic solution to the integral, which involves trigonometric functions and square roots. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and potential transformations of the integral.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a double integral involving a trigonometric function and a square root, expressing difficulty in evaluating it and seeking analytic solutions.
  • Another participant suggests that using trigonometric identities and completing the square could transform the integral into a more manageable form, potentially allowing for closed-form evaluation.
  • A further contribution reiterates the transformation process and notes that the integrand can become negative under certain conditions, complicating the evaluation.
  • One participant proposes the possibility of constructing a different integrand by parameterizing the problem differently, indicating ongoing exploration of the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method for evaluating the integral. Multiple approaches are discussed, and uncertainty remains regarding the feasibility of obtaining an analytic solution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations related to the complexity of the integral, the potential for negative values under the radical, and the challenges faced when using computational tools like Mathematica.

gluons
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I have constructed a formula to represent the neutron flux from a disc emitter through an aperture. I have got it down to a double integral of a form that I can't see how to evaluate. Mathematica crashes on this and I am not ready yet to give up and go to numerical solution. Does anyone know a good technique for evaluating integrals of this type?

Int dTheta*Sin(2*Theta)*Sqrt[A^2-(r-D*Tan(Theta))^2]

It is a product of a trig function and then a sqrt with a trig function inside. Integration by parts doesn't improve the radical and I'm looking for analytic solution if possible...any ideas?
 
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Trig identities and operations like completing the square inside the square root will put that in the form

$$\int d\theta \sin\theta \sqrt{\beta \cos^2\theta -1},$$

which can be done in closed form by a simple substitution.
 
fzero said:
Trig identities and operations like completing the square inside the square root will put that in the form

$$\int d\theta \sin\theta \sqrt{\beta \cos^2\theta -1},$$

which can be done in closed form by a simple substitution.

The integrand is of the form

$$\int d\theta \sin2\theta \sqrt{\alpha^2 - (r-\beta\tan\theta)^2}$$

Completing the square will simplify the radical, but the radicand becomes negative in this case:

$$\int d\theta \sin2\theta \sqrt{-\gamma-u^2}$$ where $$u=\tan\theta-r/\beta$$ and $$\gamma = (\alpha^2-2r^2)/\beta^2$$

Our integrating variable $$du/d\theta$$ is then equal to $$1+\tan\theta^2 = 1/\cos^2\theta$$

After rewriting the differential coefficient in terms of u, the integral can then be rewritten

$$2 \int \frac{du (u+\frac{r}{\beta})}{(1+(u+\frac{r}{\beta})^2)^2} \sqrt{-\gamma-u^2}$$

Mathematica returns a huge mess to this. I think the fact that the u^2 is negative inside the radical makes this a different form from what you might have been thinking. I am not sure this form is easier to evaluate...
 
I think I may be able to construct a different integrand if I parameterize the problem differently...will check back later.
 

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