Numerical solution of the Boltzmann equation for the collective modes of trapped Fermi gases

Understand

We numerically solve the Boltzmann equation for trapped fermions in the normal phase using the test-particle method.

• After discussing a couple of tests in order to estimate the reliability of the method, we apply it to the description of collective modes in a spherical harmonic trap.
• The numerical results are compared with those obtained previously by taking moments of the Boltzmann equation.
• We find that the general shape of the response function is very similar in both methods, but the relaxation time obtained from the simulation is significantly longer than that predicted by the method of moments.