Geometrical universality in vibrational dynamics

A good generalization of the Euclidean dimension to disordered systems and non crystalline structures is commonly required to be related to large scale geometry and it is expected to be independent of local geometrical modifications. The spectral dimension, defined according to the low frequency density of vibrational states, appears to be the best candidate as far as dynamical and thermodynamical properties are concerned. In this letter we give the rigorous analytical proof of its independence of finite scale geometry. We show that the spectral dimension is invariant under local rescaling of couplings and under addition of finite range couplings, or infinite range couplings decaying faster then a characteristic power law. We also prove that it is left unchanged by coarse graining transformations, which are the generalization to graphs and networks of the usual decimation on regular structures. A quite important consequence of all these properties is the possibility of dealing with simplified geometrical models with nearest-neighbors interactions to study the critical behavior of systems with geometrical disorder.Comment: Latex file, 1 figure (ps file) include

A Diffusive Strategic Dynamics for Social Systems

We propose a model for the dynamics of a social system, which includes diffusive effects and a biased rule for spin-flips, reproducing the effect of strategic choices. This model is able to mimic some phenomena taking place during marketing or political campaigns. Using a cost function based on the Ising model defined on the typical quenched interaction environments for social systems (Erdos-Renyi graph, small-world and scale-free networks), we find, by numerical simulations, that a stable stationary state is reached, and we compare the final state to the one obtained with standard dynamics, by means of total magnetization and magnetic susceptibility. Our results show that the diffusive strategic dynamics features a critical interaction parameter strictly lower than the standard one. We discuss the relevance of our findings in social systems.Comment: Major revisions; to appear on the Journal of Statistical Physic

Superdiffusion and Transport in 2d-systems with L\'evy Like Quenched Disorder

We present an extensive analysis of transport properties in superdiffusive two dimensional quenched random media, obtained by packing disks with radii distributed according to a L\'evy law. We consider transport and scaling properties in samples packed with two different procedures, at fixed filling fraction and at self-similar packing, and we clarify the role of the two procedures in the superdiffusive effects. Using the behavior of the filling fraction in finite size systems as the main geometrical parameter, we define an effective L\'evy exponents that correctly estimate the finite size effects. The effective L\'evy exponent rules the dynamical scaling of the main transport properties and identify the region where superdiffusive effects can be detected.Comment: 12 pages, 19 figure

Diffusion on non exactly decimable tree-like fractals

We calculate the spectral dimension of a wide class of tree-like fractals by solving the random walk problem through a new analytical technique, based on invariance under generalized cutting-decimation transformations. These fractals are generalizations of the NTD lattices and they are characterized by non integer spectral dimension equal or greater then 2, non anomalous diffusion laws, dynamical dimension splitting and absence of phase transitions for spin models.Comment: 5 pages Latex, 3 figures (figures are poscript files

Topological regulation of activation barriers on fractal substrates

We study phase-ordering dynamics of a ferromagnetic system with a scalar order-parameter on fractal graphs. We propose a scaling approach, inspired by renormalization group ideas, where a crossover between distinct dynamical behaviors is induced by the presence of a length $\lambda$ associated to the topological properties of the graph. The transition between the early and the asymptotic stage is observed when the typical size $L(t)$ of the growing ordered domains reaches the crossover length $\lambda$. We consider two classes of inhomogeneous substrates, with different activated processes, where the effects of the free energy barriers can be analytically controlled during the evolution. On finitely ramified graphs the free energy barriers encountered by domains walls grow logarithmically with $L(t)$ while they increase as a power-law on all the other structures. This produces different asymptotic growth laws (power-laws vs logarithmic) and different dependence of the crossover length $\lambda$ on the model parameters. Our theoretical picture agrees very well with extensive numerical simulations.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

Anomalous diffusion and response in branched systems: a simple analysis

We revisit the diffusion properties and the mean drift induced by an external field of a random walk process in a class of branched structures, as the comb lattice and the linear chains of plaquettes. A simple treatment based on scaling arguments is able to predict the correct anomalous regime for different topologies. In addition, we show that even in the presence of anomalous diffusion, Einstein's relation still holds, implying a proportionality between the mean square displacement of the unperturbed systems and the drift induced by an external forcing.Comment: revtex.4-1, 16 pages, 7 figure

Fast rare events in exit times distributions of jump processes

Rare events in the first-passage distributions of jump processes are capable of triggering anomalous reactions or series of events. Estimating their probability is particularly important when the jump probabilities have broad-tailed distributions, and rare events are therefore not so rare. We study three jump processes that are used to model a wide class of stochastic processes ranging from biology to transport in disordered systems, ecology and finance. We consider discrete time random-walks, continuous time random-walks and the L\'evy-Lorentz gas and determine the exact form of the scaling function for the probability distribution of fast rare events, in which the jump process exits in a very short time at a large distance opposite to the starting point. For this estimation we use the so called big jump principle, and we show that in the regime of fast rare events the exit time distributions are not exponentially suppressed, even in the case of normal diffusion. This implies that fast rare events are actually much less rare than predicted by the usual estimates of large deviations and can occur on timescales orders of magnitude shorter than expected. Our results are confirmed by extensive numerical simulations.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure