193 research outputs found
Convergent Calculation of the Asymptotic Dimension of Diffusion Limited Aggregates: Scaling and Renormalization of Small Clusters
Diffusion Limited Aggregation (DLA) is a model of fractal growth that had
attained a paradigmatic status due to its simplicity and its underlying role
for a variety of pattern forming processes. We present a convergent calculation
of the fractal dimension D of DLA based on a renormalization scheme for the
first Laurent coefficient of the conformal map from the unit circle to the
expanding boundary of the fractal cluster. The theory is applicable from very
small (2-3 particles) to asymptotically large (n \to \infty) clusters. The
computed dimension is D=1.713\pm 0.003
New Algorithm for Parallel Laplacian Growth by Iterated Conformal Maps
We report a new algorithm to generate Laplacian Growth Patterns using
iterated conformal maps. The difficulty of growing a complete layer with local
width proportional to the gradient of the Laplacian field is overcome. The
resulting growth patterns are compared to those obtained by the best algorithms
of direct numerical solutions. The fractal dimension of the patterns is
discussed.Comment: Sumitted to Phys. Rev. Lett. Further details at
http://www.pik-potsdam.de/~ander
Iterated Conformal Dynamics and Laplacian Growth
The method of iterated conformal maps for the study of Diffusion Limited
Aggregates (DLA) is generalized to the study of Laplacian Growth Patterns and
related processes. We emphasize the fundamental difference between these
processes: DLA is grown serially with constant size particles, while Laplacian
patterns are grown by advancing each boundary point in parallel, proportionally
to the gradient of the Laplacian field. We introduce a 2-parameter family of
growth patterns that interpolates between DLA and a discrete version of
Laplacian growth. The ultraviolet putative finite-time singularities are
regularized here by a minimal tip size, equivalently for all the models in this
family. With this we stress that the difference between DLA and Laplacian
growth is NOT in the manner of ultraviolet regularization, but rather in their
deeply different growth rules. The fractal dimensions of the asymptotic
patterns depend continuously on the two parameters of the family, giving rise
to a "phase diagram" in which DLA and discretized Laplacian growth are at the
extreme ends. In particular we show that the fractal dimension of Laplacian
growth patterns is much higher than the fractal dimension of DLA, with the
possibility of dimension 2 for the former not excluded.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Quasi-Static Fractures in Disordered Media and Iterated Conformal Maps
We study the geometrical characteristic of quasi-static fractures in
disordered media, using iterated conformal maps to determine the evolution of
the fracture pattern. This method allows an efficient and accurate solution of
the Lam\'e equations without resorting to lattice models. Typical fracture
patterns exhibit increased ramification due to the increase of the stress at
the tips. We find the roughness exponent of the experimentally relevant
backbone of the fracture pattern; it crosses over from about 0.5 for small
scales to about 0.75 for large scales, in excellent agreement with experiments.
We propose that this cross-over reflects the increased ramification of the
fracture pattern.Comment: submitted to Physical Review Letter
Self-stabilizing Numerical Iterative Computation
Many challenging tasks in sensor networks, including sensor calibration,
ranking of nodes, monitoring, event region detection, collaborative filtering,
collaborative signal processing, {\em etc.}, can be formulated as a problem of
solving a linear system of equations. Several recent works propose different
distributed algorithms for solving these problems, usually by using linear
iterative numerical methods.
In this work, we extend the settings of the above approaches, by adding
another dimension to the problem. Specifically, we are interested in {\em
self-stabilizing} algorithms, that continuously run and converge to a solution
from any initial state. This aspect of the problem is highly important due to
the dynamic nature of the network and the frequent changes in the measured
environment.
In this paper, we link together algorithms from two different domains. On the
one hand, we use the rich linear algebra literature of linear iterative methods
for solving systems of linear equations, which are naturally distributed with
rapid convergence properties. On the other hand, we are interested in
self-stabilizing algorithms, where the input to the computation is constantly
changing, and we would like the algorithms to converge from any initial state.
We propose a simple novel method called \syncAlg as a self-stabilizing variant
of the linear iterative methods. We prove that under mild conditions the
self-stabilizing algorithm converges to a desired result. We further extend
these results to handle the asynchronous case.
As a case study, we discuss the sensor calibration problem and provide
simulation results to support the applicability of our approach
Moving boundary approximation for curved streamer ionization fronts: Solvability analysis
The minimal density model for negative streamer ionization fronts is
investigated. An earlier moving boundary approximation for this model consisted
of a "kinetic undercooling" type boundary condition in a Laplacian growth
problem of Hele-Shaw type. Here we derive a curvature correction to the moving
boundary approximation that resembles surface tension. The calculation is based
on solvability analysis with unconventional features, namely, there are three
relevant zero modes of the adjoint operator, one of them diverging;
furthermore, the inner/outer matching ahead of the front has to be performed on
a line rather than on an extended region; and the whole calculation can be
performed analytically. The analysis reveals a relation between the fields
ahead and behind a slowly evolving curved front, the curvature and the
generated conductivity. This relation forces us to give up the ideal
conductivity approximation, and we suggest to replace it by a constant
conductivity approximation. This implies that the electric potential in the
streamer interior is no longer constant but solves a Laplace equation; this
leads to a Muskat-type problem.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figure
Spreading of thin films assisted by thermal fluctuations
We study the spreading of viscous drops on a solid substrate, taking into
account the effects of thermal fluctuations in the fluid momentum. A nonlinear
stochastic lubrication equation is derived, and studied using numerical
simulations and scaling analysis. We show that asymptotically spreading drops
admit self-similar shapes, whose average radii can increase at rates much
faster than these predicted by Tanner's law. We discuss the physical
realizability of our results for thin molecular and complex fluid films, and
predict that such phenomenon can in principal be observed in various flow
geometries.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Tip Splittings and Phase Transitions in the Dielectric Breakdown Model: Mapping to the DLA Model
We show that the fractal growth described by the dielectric breakdown model
exhibits a phase transition in the multifractal spectrum of the growth measure.
The transition takes place because the tip-splitting of branches forms a fixed
angle. This angle is eta dependent but it can be rescaled onto an
``effectively'' universal angle of the DLA branching process. We derive an
analytic rescaling relation which is in agreement with numerical simulations.
The dimension of the clusters decreases linearly with the angle and the growth
becomes non-fractal at an angle close to 74 degrees (which corresponds to eta=
4.0 +- 0.3).Comment: 4 pages, REVTex, 3 figure
Fractal to Nonfractal Phase Transition in the Dielectric Breakdown Model
A fast method is presented for simulating the dielectric-breakdown model
using iterated conformal mappings. Numerical results for the dimension and for
corrections to scaling are in good agreement with the recent RG prediction of
an upper critical , at which a transition occurs between branching
fractal clusters and one-dimensional nonfractal clusters.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figures; corrections to scaling include
A smooth cascade of wrinkles at the edge of a floating elastic film
The mechanism by which a patterned state accommodates the breaking of
translational symmetry by a phase boundary or a sample wall has been addressed
in the context of Landau branching in type-I superconductors, refinement of
magnetic domains, and compressed elastic sheets. We explore this issue by
studying an ultrathin polymer sheet floating on the surface of a fluid,
decorated with a pattern of parallel wrinkles. At the edge of the sheet, this
corrugated profile meets the fluid meniscus. Rather than branching of wrinkles
into generations of ever-smaller sharp folds, we discover a smooth cascade in
which the coarse pattern in the bulk is matched to fine structure at the edge
by the continuous introduction of discrete, higher wavenumber Fourier modes.
The observed multiscale morphology is controlled by a dimensionless parameter
that quantifies the relative strength of the edge forces and the rigidity of
the bulk pattern.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
- …