59,498 research outputs found
Persistence and survival in equilibrium step fluctuations
Results of analytic and numerical investigations of first-passage properties
of equilibrium fluctuations of monatomic steps on a vicinal surface are
reviewed. Both temporal and spatial persistence and survival probabilities, as
well as the probability of persistent large deviations are considered. Results
of experiments in which dynamical scanning tunneling microscopy is used to
evaluate these first-passage properties for steps with different microscopic
mechanisms of mass transport are also presented and interpreted in terms of
theoretical predictions for appropriate models. Effects of discrete sampling,
finite system size and finite observation time, which are important in
understanding the results of experiments and simulations, are discussed.Comment: 30 pages, 12 figures, review paper for a special issue of JSTA
Canonical and non-canonical equilibrium distribution
We address the problem of the dynamical foundation of non-canonical
equilibrium. We consider, as a source of divergence from ordinary statistical
mechanics, the breakdown of the condition of time scale separation between
microscopic and macroscopic dynamics. We show that this breakdown has the
effect of producing a significant deviation from the canonical prescription. We
also show that, while the canonical equilibrium can be reached with no apparent
dependence on dynamics, the specific form of non-canonical equilibrium is, in
fact, determined by dynamics. We consider the special case where the thermal
reservoir driving the system of interest to equilibrium is a generator of
intermittent fluctuations. We assess the form of the non-canonical equilibrium
reached by the system in this case. Using both theoretical and numerical
arguments we demonstrate that Levy statistics are the best description of the
dynamics and that the Levy distribution is the correct basin of attraction. We
also show that the correct path to non-canonical equilibrium by means of
strictly thermodynamic arguments has not yet been found, and that further
research has to be done to establish a connection between dynamics and
thermodynamics.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure
Simulating non-Markovian stochastic processes
We present a simple and general framework to simulate statistically correct
realizations of a system of non-Markovian discrete stochastic processes. We
give the exact analytical solution and a practical an efficient algorithm alike
the Gillespie algorithm for Markovian processes, with the difference that now
the occurrence rates of the events depend on the time elapsed since the event
last took place. We use our non-Markovian generalized Gillespie stochastic
simulation methodology to investigate the effects of non-exponential
inter-event time distributions in the susceptible-infected-susceptible model of
epidemic spreading. Strikingly, our results unveil the drastic effects that
very subtle differences in the modeling of non-Markovian processes have on the
global behavior of complex systems, with important implications for their
understanding and prediction. We also assess our generalized Gillespie
algorithm on a system of biochemical reactions with time delays. As compared to
other existing methods, we find that the generalized Gillespie algorithm is the
most general as it can be implemented very easily in cases, like for delays
coupled to the evolution of the system, where other algorithms do not work or
need adapted versions, less efficient in computational terms.Comment: Improvement of the algorithm, new results, and a major reorganization
of the paper thanks to our coauthors L. Lafuerza and R. Tora
Stochastic processes with finite correlation time: modeling and application to the generalized Langevin equation
The kangaroo process (KP) is characterized by various forms of the covariance
and can serve as a useful model of random noises. We discuss properties of that
process for the exponential, stretched exponential and algebraic (power-law)
covariances. Then we apply the KP as a model of noise in the generalized
Langevin equation and simulate solutions by a Monte Carlo method. Some results
appear to be incompatible with requirements of the fluctuation-dissipation
theorem because probability distributions change when the process is inserted
into the equation. We demonstrate how one can construct a model of noise free
of that difficulty. This form of the KP is especially suitable for physical
applications.Comment: 22 pages (RevTeX) and 4 figure
Concepts of quantum non-Markovianity: a hierarchy
Markovian approximation is a widely-employed idea in descriptions of the
dynamics of open quantum systems (OQSs). Although it is usually claimed to be a
concept inspired by classical Markovianity, the term quantum Markovianity is
used inconsistently and often unrigorously in the literature. In this report we
compare the descriptions of classical stochastic processes and quantum
stochastic processes (as arising in OQSs), and show that there are inherent
differences that lead to the non-trivial problem of characterizing quantum
non-Markovianity. Rather than proposing a single definition of quantum
Markovianity, we study a host of Markov-related concepts in the quantum regime.
Some of these concepts have long been used in quantum theory, such as quantum
white noise, factorization approximation, divisibility, Lindblad master
equation, etc.. Others are first proposed in this report, including those we
call past-future independence, no (quantum) information backflow, and
composability. All of these concepts are defined under a unified framework,
which allows us to rigorously build hierarchy relations among them. With
various examples, we argue that the current most often used definitions of
quantum Markovianity in the literature do not fully capture the memoryless
property of OQSs. In fact, quantum non-Markovianity is highly
context-dependent. The results in this report, summarized as a hierarchy
figure, bring clarity to the nature of quantum non-Markovianity.Comment: Clarifications and references added; discussion of the related
classical hierarchy significantly improved. To appear in Physics Report
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