Semi-Markov models and motion in heterogeneous media

In this paper we study continuous time random walks (CTRWs) such that the holding time in each state has a distribution depending on the state itself. For such processes, we provide integro-differential (backward and forward) equations of Volterra type, exhibiting a position dependent convolution kernel. Particular attention is devoted to the case where the holding times have a power-law decaying density, whose exponent depends on the state itself, which leads to variable order fractional equations. A suitable limit yields a variable order fractional heat equation, which models anomalous diffusions in heterogeneous media

Multicritical continuous random trees

We introduce generalizations of Aldous' Brownian Continuous Random Tree as scaling limits for multicritical models of discrete trees. These discrete models involve trees with fine-tuned vertex-dependent weights ensuring a k-th root singularity in their generating function. The scaling limit involves continuous trees with branching points of order up to k+1. We derive explicit integral representations for the average profile of this k-th order multicritical continuous random tree, as well as for its history distributions measuring multi-point correlations. The latter distributions involve non-positive universal weights at the branching points together with fractional derivative couplings. We prove universality by rederiving the same results within a purely continuous axiomatic approach based on the resolution of a set of consistency relations for the multi-point correlations. The average profile is shown to obey a fractional differential equation whose solution involves hypergeometric functions and matches the integral formula of the discrete approach.Comment: 34 pages, 12 figures, uses lanlmac, hyperbasics, eps

Fluid limit of the continuous-time random walk with general Lévy jump distribution functions.

The continuous time random walk (CTRW) is a natural generalization of the Brownian random walk that allows the incorporation of waiting time distributions ψ(t) and general jump distribution functions η(x). There are two well-known fluid limits of this model in the uncoupled case. For exponential decaying waiting times and Gaussian jump distribution functions the fluid limit leads to the diffusion equation. On the other hand, for algebraic decaying waiting times, and algebraic decaying jump distributions, corresponding to Lévy stable processes, the fluid limit leads to the fractional diffusion equation of order α in space and order β in time. However, these are two special cases of a wider class of models. Here we consider the CTRW for the most general Lévy stochastic processes in the Lévy-Khintchine representation for the jump distribution function and obtain an integro-differential equation describing the dynamics in the fluid limit. The resulting equation contains as special cases the regular and the fractional diffusion equations. As an application we consider the case of CTRWs with exponentially truncated Lévy jump distribution functions. In this case the fluid limit leads to a transport equation with exponentially truncated fractional derivatives which describes the interplay between memory, long jumps, and truncation effects in the intermediate asymptotic regime. The dynamics exhibits a transition from superdiffusion to subdiffusion with the crossover time scaling as τc ∼ λ −α/β where 1/λ is the truncation length scale. The asymptotic behavior of the propagator (Green’s function) of the truncated fractional equation exhibits a transition from algebraic decay for t > τc

On the fluid limit of the continuous-time random walk with general Lévy jump distribution functions.

The continuous time random walk (CTRW) is a natural generalization of the Brownian random walk that allows the incorporation of waiting time distributions ψ(t) and general jump distribution functions η(x). There are two well-known fluid limits of this model in the uncoupled case. For exponential decaying waiting times and Gaussian jump distribution functions the fluid limit leads to the diffusion equation. On the other hand, for algebraic decaying waiting times, and algebraic decaying jump distributions, corresponding to Lévy stable processes, the fluid limit leads to the fractional diffusion equation of order α in space and order β in time. However, these are two special cases of a wider class of models. Here we consider the CTRW for the most general Lévy stochastic processes in the Lévy-Khintchine representation for the jump distribution function and obtain an integro-differential equation describing the dynamics in the fluid limit. The resulting equation contains as special cases the regular and the fractional diffusion equations. As an application we consider the case of CTRWs with exponentially truncated Lévy jump distribution functions. In this case the fluid limit leads to a transport equation with exponentially truncated fractional derivatives which describes the interplay between memory, long jumps, and truncation effects in the intermediate asymptotic regime. The dynamics exhibits a transition from superdiffusion to subdiffusion with the crossover time scaling as τc ∼ λ −α/β where 1/λ is the truncation length scale. The asymptotic behavior of the propagator (Green’s function) of the truncated fractional equation exhibits a transition from algebraic decay for t << τc to stretched Gaussian decay for t >> τc

On the fluid limit of the continuous-time random walk with general Lévy jump distribution functions

The continuous time random walk (CTRW) is a natural generalization of the Brownian random walk that allows the incorporation of waiting time distributions ψ(t) and general jump distribution functions η(x). There are two well-known fluid limits of this model in the uncoupled case. For exponential decaying waiting times and Gaussian jump distribution functions the fluid limit leads to the diffusion equation. On the other hand, for algebraic decaying waiting times, and algebraic decaying jump distributions, corresponding to Lévy stable processes, the fluid limit leads to the fractional diffusion equation of order α in space and order β in time. However, these are two special cases of a wider class of models. Here we consider the CTRW for the most general Lévy stochastic processes in the Lévy-Khintchine representation for the jump distribution function and obtain an integro-differential equation describing the dynamics in the fluid limit. The resulting equation contains as special cases the regular and the fractional diffusion equations. As an application we consider the case of CTRWs with exponentially truncated Lévy jump distribution functions. In this case the fluid limit leads to a transport equation with exponentially truncated fractional derivatives which describes the interplay between memory, long jumps, and truncation effects in the intermediate asymptotic regime. The dynamics exhibits a transition from superdiffusion to subdiffusion with the crossover time scaling as τc ∼ λ −α/β where 1/λ is the truncation length scale. The asymptotic behavior of the propagator (Green’s function) of the truncated fractional equation exhibits a transition from algebraic decay for t > τ