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arXiv · 1201.1415

A minimizing principle for the Poisson-Boltzmann equation

A. C. Maggs
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Abstract

The Poisson-Boltzmann equation is often presented via a variational formulation based on the electrostatic potential. However, the functional has the defect of being non-convex. It can not be used as a local minimization principle while coupled to other dynamic degrees of freedom. We formulate a convex dual functional which is numerically equivalent at its minimum and which is more suited to local optimization.

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A. C. Maggs. 2012-01-06. A minimizing principle for the Poisson-Boltzmann equation. https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075%2F98%2F16012

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