42,772 articles
Differentiable molecular simulation
Differentiable molecular simulation is a computational technique that backpropagates through molecular dynamics trajectories to optimize force field parameters, connecting molecular modeling to the optimization machinery of deep learning.
Differential (mathematics)
In mathematics, a differential, also called a differential element, is the main linear part of a function's increment, denoted dy, introduced by Leibniz and published in 1684, and used today for approximation and error estimation.
Differential algebra
Differential algebra is the branch of algebra studying rings and fields equipped with derivations, operations satisfying the formal rules of differentiation, founded by Joseph Fels Ritt.
Differential algebraic equation
A differential algebraic equation (DAE) is an equation combining differential equations with algebraic constraints, imposing instantaneous relations among variables; it is applied in circuit simulation, mechanics, and control.
Differential calculus
Differential calculus is the branch of mathematics that studies how functions change through the derivative, which measures instantaneous rates of change and the slope of tangent lines.
Differential cross section
The differential cross section, written dσ/dΩ, gives the rate at which particles scatter into a given solid angle per unit incident flux, measured in barns per steradian.
Differential dynamic microscopy
Differential dynamic microscopy (DDM) is an image-analysis technique that extracts dynamic light scattering data from ordinary microscope images, introduced by Cerbino and Trappe in 2008.
Differential electrochemical mass spectrometry
Differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) is an analytical technique that couples an electrochemical cell to a mass spectrometer to identify volatile electrode products in real time.
Differential equation
A differential equation relates an unknown function to its derivatives, and solving it means finding a function that satisfies the equation; it dates to the late 17th century.
Differential form
A differential form, also called an exterior differential form, is a smooth antisymmetric tensor field on a differentiable manifold, the natural object for integration and for writing Maxwell's equations.
Differential Galois theory
Differential Galois theory, known for linear equations as Picard–Vessiot theory, attaches to each linear differential equation a Galois group capturing algebraic dependencies among solutions and characterizing closed-form solvability.
Differential game
A differential game is a mathematical model in which players with conflicting objectives control a dynamical system evolving continuously in time, extending optimal control theory to multiple agents.
Differential geometry
Differential geometry, also known as differential geometry and topology, is the branch of geometry that studies curves and surfaces by analysis, centered on differentiable manifolds and supplying the language of general relativity.
Differential imaging
Differential imaging is a family of high-contrast astronomical techniques that builds a model of a star's light from reference images and subtracts it, revealing faint exoplanets and disks near the star.
Differential inclusion
A differential inclusion is a continuous-time evolution law x'(t) ∈ F(t, x(t)), generalizing an ordinary differential equation by allowing multiple velocities at each state, with origins in control theory.
Differential interference contrast microscopy
Differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy is an optical beam-shearing interference technique that converts refractive index gradients in transparent specimens into visible intensity differences, imaging unstained living cells.
Differential interferometric SAR
Differential interferometric SAR (DInSAR) is a radar remote-sensing technique comparing SAR images from repeated satellite passes to measure ground deformation from earthquakes, volcanoes, and subsidence with millimeter precision.
Differential interferometry
Differential interferometry (DInSAR) is a satellite radar remote-sensing method that compares SAR images acquired at different times to measure millimeter-scale ground deformation from earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and subsidence.
Differential mobility analyzer
A differential mobility analyzer is an aerosol instrument that classifies charged particles by electrical mobility, serving as the central element in systems measuring nanoparticle size distributions.
Differential mobility spectrometry
Differential mobility spectrometry (DMS), also known as FAIMS, is an atmospheric-pressure ion filtering technique used before mass spectrometers, separating ions by how their mobility changes with electric field.
Differential of a function
The differential of a function is the main, linear part of its change when the input changes, dy = f′(x) dx; the idea goes back to Leibniz in 1684.
Differential operator
A differential operator, also called a derivative operator, is an operator that maps a function to a function built from its derivatives. The basic example is D = d/dx, whose inverse denotes integration.
Differential optical absorption spectroscopy
Differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) is a spectroscopic technique that retrieves atmospheric trace-gas concentrations, such as NO2, SO2, and ozone, from UV and visible absorption spectra.
Differential phase contrast imaging
Differential phase contrast (DPC) imaging is an electron microscopy and X-ray technique that maps electric and magnetic fields in materials, reaching atomic resolution in modern instruments.
Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry
Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) is an electroanalytical technique that preconcentrates metal ions on an electrode to measure trace heavy metals at sub-ppb levels.
Differential pulse polarography
Differential pulse polarography (DPP) is a sensitive voltammetric analytical technique that superimposes constant-height potential pulses on a rising voltage ramp applied to a dropping mercury electrode.
Differential pulse voltammetry
Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) is an electroanalytical technique applying small potential pulses of 10 to 100 mV on a voltage ramp, giving peak-shaped output sensitive to trace analytes.
Differential quadrature method
The differential quadrature method (DQM) is a numerical technique that approximates derivatives as weighted sums of function values at grid points, introduced by Bellman and colleagues in 1972.
Differential rotation
Differential rotation is when different latitudes of a gaseous body rotate at different speeds, seen in the Sun, where the equator spins in 25 days and the poles in 36.
Differential scanning calorimetry of biomolecules
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of biomolecules measures the heat of protein, nucleic acid, and lipid transitions directly, yielding melting temperature, enthalpy, and full unfolding thermodynamics in a single scan.