Why diffusion-based preconditioning of Richards equation works: spectral analysis and computational experiments at very large scale.

We consider here a cell-centered finite difference approximation of the Richards equation in three dimensions, averaging for interface values the hydraulic conductivity, a highly nonlinear function, by arithmetic, upstream and harmonic means. The nonlinearities in the equation can lead to changes in soil conductivity over several orders of magnitude and discretizations with respect to space variables often produce stiff systems of differential equations.

New gravitational self-force analytical results for eccentric equatorial orbits around a Kerr black hole: Gyroscope precession

We analytically compute the gravitational self-force correction to the gyroscope precession along slightly eccentric equatorial orbits in the Kerr spacetime, generalizing previous results for the Schwarzs-child spacetime. Our results are accurate through the 9.5 post-Newtonian order and to second order in both eccentricity and rotation parameter. We also provide a post-Newtonian check of our results based on the currently known Hamiltonian for spinning binaries.

Diffusive limits of 2D well-balanced schemes for kinetic models of neutron transport

Two-dimensional dissipative and isotropic kinetic models, like the ones used in neutron transport theory, are considered. Especially, steady-states are expressed for constant opacity and damping, allowing to derive a scattering S-matrix and corresponding "truly 2D well-balanced" numerical schemes. A first scheme is obtained by directly implementing truncated Fourier-Bessel series, whereas another proceeds by applying an exponential modulation to a former, conservative, one. Consistency with the asymptotic damped parabolic approximation is checked for both algorithms.

On a class of forward -backward parabolic equations: Formation of singularities

We study the formation of singularities for the problem {u(t) = [phi(u)](xx) + epsilon[psi(u)](txx) in Omega x (0, T) phi(u) + epsilon[psi(u)](t) = 0 in partial derivative Omega x(0, T) u = u(0) >= 0 in Omega x {0}, where epsilon and Tare positive constants, Omega a bounded interval, u(0) a nonnegative Radon measure on Omega, phi a nonmonotone and nonnegative function with phi(0) = phi(infinity) = 0, and psi an increasing bounded function. We show that if u(0) is a bounded or continuous function, singularities may appear spontaneously.

Shearing effects on the phase coarsening of binary mixtures using the active model B

The phase separation of a two-dimensional active binary mixture is studied under the action of an applied shear through numerical simulations. It is highlighted how the strength of the external flow modifies the initial shape of growing domains. The activity is responsible for the formation of isolated droplets which affect both the coarsening dynamics and the morphology of the system. The characteristic dimensions of domains along the flow and the shear direction are modulated in time by oscillations whose amplitudes are reduced when the activity increases.

Radiative contributions to gravitational scattering

The linear-order effects of radiation-reaction on the classical scattering of two point masses, in general relativity, are derived by a variation-of-constants method. Explicit expressions for the radiation-reaction contributions to the changes of 4-momentum during scattering are given to linear order in the radiative losses of energy, linear-momentum, and angular momentum. The polynomial dependence on the masses of the 4-momentum changes is shown to lead to nontrivial identities relating the various radiative losses.

Scalable AMG Preconditioners for Computational Science at Extreme Scale

The challenge of exascale requires rethinking numerical algorithms and mathematical software for efficient exploitation of heterogeneous massively parallel supercomputers. In this talk, we present some activities aimed at developing highly scalable and robust sparse linear solvers for solving scientific and engineering applications with a huge number of degrees of freedom (dof)[1].