Langevin equation

In statistical physics, a Langevin equation is a stochastic differential equation describing Brownian motion in a potential.

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The first Langevin equations to be studied were those in which the potential is constant, so that the acceleration a of a Brownian particle of mass m is expressed as the sum of a viscous force which is proportional to the particles velocity v (Stokes' law), a noise term (the name given in physical contexts to terms in stochastic differential equations which are stochastic processes) representing the effect of a continuous series of collisions with the atoms of the underlying fluid and F(x) which is the systematic interaction force due to the intramolecular and intermolecular interactions:

Essentially similar equations govern other Brownian systems, such as thermal noise in an electrical resistor:

Many interesting results can often be obtained without solving the Langevin equation, from the fluctuation dissipation theorem.

The main method of solution if a solution is required is by use of the Fokker-Planck equation, which provides a deterministic equation satisfied by the time dependent probability density. Alternatively numerical solutions can be obtained by Monte Carlo simulation. Other techniques, such as path integration have also been used, drawing on the analogy between statistical physics and quantum mechanics (for example the Fokker-Planck equation can be transformed into the Schrödinger equation by rescaling a few variables).

Further reading

• W. T. Coffey (Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland), Yu P. Kalmykov (Université de Perpignan, France) & J. T. Waldron (Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland), The Langevin Equation, With Applications to Stochastic Problems in Physics, Chemistry and Electrical Engineering (Second Edition), World Scientific Series in Contemporary Chemical Physics - Vol 14. (The First Edition is Vol 10)

• Reif, F. Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics, McGraw Hill New York, 1965. See section 15.5 Langevin Equation