Abstract The collective field theory technique provides a method of tackling problems with two N × N matrices in the large N limit. The collective field background from one matrix is first found, then the second matrix is introduced into this background as an impurity. Within the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence, this technique can be used to describe gauge theory states in the BMN limit. This dissertation starts by developing the collective field theory technique, firstly in general variables, then for one matrix, and subsequently for two matrices. It goes on to introduce a Yang-Mills interaction term, where two variable identifications are considered. The first is the more traditional angular momentum eigenstate model. The second is a model that directly uses two of the Higgs scalars. This model has been mentioned in the literature, but has not been considered in great depth. The exact two impurity spectrum is found, and the multi-impurity spectrum is found to first order. The resulting energy values match a spectrum that has been found for giant magnons.

Because of the accuracy and ease of implementation, Monte Carlo methodology is widely used in analysis of nuclear systems. The obtained estimate of the multiplication factor (keff) or flux distribution is statistical by its nature. In criticality simulation of a nuclear critical system, whose basis is the power iteration method, the guessed source distribution initially is generally away from the converged fundamental one. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the convergence is achieved before data are accumulated. Discarding a larger amount of initial histories could reduce the risk of contaminating the results by non-converged data but increases the computational expense. This issue is amplified for large loosely coupled nuclear systems with low convergence rate. Since keff is a generation-based global value, frequently no explicit criterion is applied to the diagnostic of keff directly. As an alternative, a flux-based entropy check available in MCNP5 works well in many cases. However, when applied to a difficult storage fuel pool benchmark problem, it could not always detect the non-convergence of flux distribution. Preliminary evaluation indicates that it is due to collapsing local information into a single number. This thesis addresses this problem by two new developments. First, it aims to find a more reliable way to assess convergence by analyzing the local flux change. Second, it introduces an approach to simultaneously compute both the first and second eigenmodes. At the same time, by computing these eigenmodes, this approach could increase the convergence rate. Improvement in these two areas could have a significant impact on practicality of Monte Carlo criticality simulations.

Because of the accuracy and ease of implementation, the Monte Carlo methodology is widely used in the analysis of nuclear systems. The estimated effective multiplication factor (keff) and flux distribution are statistical by their natures. In eigenvalue problems, however, neutron histories are not independent but are correlated through subsequent generations. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that only the converged data are used for further analysis. Discarding a larger amount of initial histories would reduce the risk of contaminating the results by non-converged data, but increase the computational expense. This issue is amplified for large nuclear systems with slow convergence. One solution would be to use the convergence of keff or the flux distribution as the criterion for initiating accumulation of data. Although several approaches have been developed aimed at identifying convergence, these methods are not always reliable, especially for slow converging problems. This dissertation has attacked this difficulty by developing two independent but related methodologies. One aims to find a more reliable and robust way to assess convergence by statistically analyzing the local flux change. The other forms a basis to increase the convergence rate and thus reduce the computational expense. Eventually, these two topics will contribute to the ultimate goal of improving the reliability and efficiency of the Monte Carlo criticality calculations.

The structure of wavefunctions of quantum systems strongly depends on the underlying classical dynamics. In this text a selection of articles on eigenfunctions in systems with fully chaotic dynamics and systems with a mixed phase space is summarized. Of particular interest are statistical properties like amplitude distribution and spatial autocorrelation function and the implication of eigenfunction structures on transport properties. For systems with a mixed phase space the separation into regular and chaotic states does not always hold away from the semiclassical limit, such that chaotic states may completely penetrate into the region of the regular island. The consequences of this flooding are discussed and universal aspects highlighted.

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An \emph {explicit} algorithm for the extrapolation of one-way wavefields is proposed which combines recent developments in information theory and theoretical signal processing with the physics of wave propagation. Because of excessive memory requirements, explicit formulations for wave propagation have proven to be a challenge in {3-D}. By using ideas from ``\emph{compressed sensing}'', we are able to formulate the (inverse) wavefield extrapolation problem on small subsets of the data volume{,} thereby reducing the size of the operators. According {to} compressed sensing theory, signals can successfully be recovered from an imcomplete set of measurements when the measurement basis is \emph{incoherent} with the representation in which the wavefield is sparse. In this new approach, the eigenfunctions of the Helmholtz operator are recognized as a basis that is incoherent with curvelets that are known to compress seismic wavefields. By casting the wavefield extrapolation problem in this framework, wavefields can successfully be extrapolated in the modal domain via a computationally cheaper operatoion. A proof of principle for the ``compressed sensing'' method is given for wavefield extrapolation in {2-D}. The results show that our method is stable and produces identical results compared to the direct application of the full extrapolation operator.

Le problème d’oscillation de fluides dans un conteneur est un problème classique d’hydrodynamique qui est etudié par des mathématiciens et ingénieurs depuis plus de 150 ans. Le présent travail est lié à l’étude de l’alternance des fonctions propres paires et impaires du problème de Steklov-Neumann pour les domaines à deux dimensions ayant une forme symétrique. On obtient des résultats sur la parité de deuxième et troisième fonctions propres d’un tel problème pour les trois premiers modes, dans le cas de domaines symétriques arbitraires. On étudie aussi la simplicité de deux premières valeurs propres non nulles d’un tel problème. Il existe nombre d’hypothèses voulant que pour le cas des domaines symétriques, toutes les valeurs propres sont simples. Il y a des résultats de Kozlov, Kuznetsov et Motygin [1] sur la simplicité de la première valeur propre non nulle obtenue pour les domaines satisfaisants la condition de John. Dans ce travail, il est montré que pour les domaines symétriques, la deuxième valeur propre non-nulle du problème de Steklov-Neumann est aussi simple. / The study of liquid sloshing in a container is a classical problem of hydrodynamics that has been actively investigated by mathematicians and engineers over the past 150 years. The present thesis is concerned with the properties of eigenfunctions of the two-dimensional sloshing problem on axially symmetric planar domains. Here the axis of symmetry is assumed to be orthogonal to the free surface of the fluid. In particular, we show that the second and the third eigenfunctions of such a problem are, respectively, odd and even with respect to the axial symmetry. There is a well-known conjecture that all eigenvalues of the two-dimensional sloshing problem are simple. Kozlov, Kuznetsov and Motygin [1] proved the simplicity of the first non-zero eigenvalue for domains satisfying the John's condition. In the thesis we show that for axially symmetric planar domains, the first two non-zero eigenvalues of the sloshing problem are simple.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisors: Tomio Petrosky and E.C.G. Sudarshan. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

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