Rigorous derivation of a binary-ternary Boltzmann equation for a dense gas of hard spheres

Abstract: This paper provides the first rigorous derivation of a binary-ternary Boltzmann equation describing the kinetic properties of a dense hard-spheres gas, where particles undergo either binary or ternary instantaneous interactions, while preserving momentum and energy. An important challenge we overcome in deriving this equation is related to providing a mathematical framework that allows us to detect both binary and ternary interactions. Furthermore, this paper introduces new algebraic and geometric techniques in order to eventually decouple binary and ternary interactions and understand the way they could succeed one another in time.