Stable algorithm for event detection in event-driven particle dynamics

TL;DR

This paper introduces a stable event-detection algorithm for event-driven particle dynamics simulations, addressing issues caused by finite machine precision that can lead to invalid states, thereby improving simulation reliability.

Contribution

A novel, general event-detection algorithm that manages invalid states in particle dynamics simulations, enhancing stability and efficiency.

Findings

Algorithm effectively handles invalid states caused by machine precision.

Improved event-detection algorithms for hard-sphere systems.

Enhanced simulation stability and accuracy.

Abstract

Event-Driven Particle Dynamics is a fast and precise method to simulate particulate systems of all scales. In this work it is demonstrated that, despite the high accuracy of the method, the finite machine precision leads to simulations entering invalid states where the dynamics are undefined. A general event-detection algorithm is proposed which handles these situations in a stable and efficient manner. This requires a definition of the dynamics of invalid states and leads to improved algorithms for event-detection in hard-sphere systems.