Inertial effects on the escape rate of a particle driven by colored noise: An instanton approach

A recent calculation, in the weak-noise limit, of the rate of escape of a particle over a one-dimensional potential barrier is extended by including an inertial term in the Langevin equation. Specifically, we consider a system described by the Langevin equation , where is a Gaussian colored noise with mean zero and correlator (t)(t')=(D/)exp(–|t–t'|/). A pathintegral formulation is augmented by a steepest descent calculation valid in the weak-noise (D0) limit. This yields an escape rateexp(–S/D), where the actionS is the minimum, over paths characterizing escape over the barrier, of a generalized Onsager-Machlup functional, the extremal path being an instanton of the theory. The extremal actionS is calculated analytically for smallm and for general potentials, and numerical results forS are displayed for various ranges ofm and for the typical case of the quartic potentialV(x)=–x ₂/2+x ₄/4.     

The projection approach to the Fokker-Planck equation. I. Colored Gaussian noise

It is shown that the Fokker-Planck operator can be derived via a projection-perturbation approach, using the repartition of a more detailed operator into a perturbation ₁ and an unperturbed part ₀. The standard Fokker-Planck structure is recovered at the second order in ₁, whereas the perturbation terms of higher order are shown to provoke the breakdown of this structure. To get rid of these higher order terms, a key approximation, local linearization (LL), is made. In general, to evaluate at the second order in ₁ the exact expression of the diffusion coefficient which simulates the influence of a Gaussian noise with a finite correlation time, a resummation up to infinite order in must be carried out, leading to what other authors call the best Fokker-Planck approximation (BFPA). It is shown that, due to the role of terms of higher order in ₁, the BFPA leads to predictions on the equilibrium distributions that are reliable only up to the first order in t. The LL, on the contrary, in addition to making the influence of terms of higher order in ₁ vanish, results in a simple analytical expression for the term of second order that is formally coincident with the complete resummation over all the orders in t provided by the Fox theory. The corresponding diffusion coefficient in turn is shown to lead in the limiting case to exact results for the steady-state distributions. Therefore, over the whole range 0 the LL turns out to be an approximation much more accurate than the global linearization proposed by other authors for the same purpose of making the terms of higher order in ₁ vanish. In the short- region the LL leads to results virtually coincident with those of the BFPA. In the large- region the LL is a more accurate approximation than the BFPA itself. These theoretical arguments are supported by the results of both analog and digital simulation.     

A matrix method for estimating the Liapunov exponent of one-dimensional systems

Let : [0, 1][0, 1] be a piecewise monotonie expanding map. Then admits an absolutely continuous invariant measure. A result of Kosyakin and Sandler shows that can be approximated by a sequence of absolutely continuous measures _n invariant under piecewise linear Markov maps _itn. Each _itn is constructed on the inverse images of the turning points of . The easily computable measures _n are used to estimate the Liapunov exponent of . The idea of using Markov maps for estimating the Liapunov exponent is applied to both expanding and nonexpanding maps.     

Colored noise in activated rate processes

We consider bistable systems driven by stationary wideband Gaussian colored noise. We construct uniform asymptotic expansions of the stationary probability density function and of the activation rate, for small intensity and short correlation time of the noise. We find that for different values of the total power output / of the noise, different terms in the asymptotic expansions become dominant. For we recover previously derived results, while for =O() and new results are obtained.     

Holes in the probability density of strongly colored noise driven systems

A qualitative change in the topology of the joint probability densityP(,x), which occurs for strongly colored noise in multistable systems, has recently been observed first by analog simulation (F. Moss and F. Marchesoni,Phys. Lett. A 131:322 (1988)) and confirmed by matrix continued fraction methods (Th. Leiber and H. Riskin, unpublished), and by analytic theory (P. Hänggi, P. Jung, and F. Marchesoni,J. Stat. Phys., this issue). Systems studied were of the classx=–U(x)/x+(t,), whereU(x) is a multistable potential and (t, ) is a colored, Gaussian noise of intensityD, for which =0, and (t) (s)=(D/)exp(–t–s/). When the noise correlation time is smaller than some critical value ₀, which depends onD, the two-dimensional densityP(,x) has the usual topology [P. Jung and H. Risken,Z. Phys. B 61:367 (1985); F. Moss and P. V. E. McClintock,Z. Phys. B 61:381 (1985)]: a pair of local maxima ofP(,x), which correspond to a pair of adjacent local minima ofU(x), are connected by a single saddle point which lies on thex axis. When >₀, however,the single saddle disappears and is replaced by a pair of off-axis saddles. A depression, or hole, which is bounded by the saddles and the local maxima thus appears. The most probable trajectory connecting the two potential wells therefore does not pass through the origin for >₀, but instead must detour around the local barrier. This observation implies that successful mean-first-passage-time theories of strongly colored noise driven systems must necessarily be two dimensional (Hänggiet al.). We have observed these holes for several potentialsU(x): (1)a soft, bistable potential by analog simulation (Moss and Marchesoni); (2) a periodic potential [Th. Leiber, F. Marchesoni, and H. Risken,Phys. Rev. Lett. 59:1381 (1987)] by matrix continued fractions; (3) the usual hard, bistable potential,U(x)=–ax ²/2+bx ⁴/4, by analog simulations only; and (4) a random potential for which the forcingf(x)=–U(x)/x is an approximate Gaussian with nonzero correlation length, i.e., colored spatiotemporal noise, by analog simulation. There is a critical curve ₀(D) in the versusD plane which divides the two topological behaviors. For a fixed value ofD, this curve is shifted toward larger values of ₀ for progressively weaker barriers between the wells. Therefore, strong barriers favor the observation of this topological transformation at smaller values of . Recently, an analytic expression for the critical curve, valid asymptotically in the small-D limit, has been obtained (Hänggiet al.).This paper will appear in a forthcoming issue of theJournal of Statistical Physics.     

Existence of a Constant for Finite System Extinction

We show the existence of a constant (0, ) such that if ⁿ is the extinction time for a supercritical contact process on [1, n] ^d starting from full occupancy, then {log(E[ ⁿ])}/n ^d tend to as n tends to infinity.     

Kinetic equation in the kinetic region of the dilute and nonuniform electron plasma

Mori's scaling method is used to derive the kinetic equation for a dilute, nonuniform electron plasma in the kinetic region where the space-time cutoff (b, t _c) satisfies _Dbl _f , _D t _{c f} , with _D the Debye length, _D ^–1= _p the plasma frequency, andl _f and _f the mean free path and time, respectively. The kinetic equation takes account of the nonuniformity of the order ofl _f and _D for the single-and the two-particle distribution function, respectively. Thus the Vlasov term associated with the two-particle distribution function is retained. This kinetic equation is deduced from the kinetic equation in the coherent region obtained by Morita, Mori, and Tokuyama, where the space-time cutoff of the coherent region satisfies _Dbr ₀, _Dt _{c 0}, withr ₀ the Landau length and ₀ the corresponding time scale.     

Absolute Continuity of Vitali–Hahn–Saks Measure Convergence Theorems

In this paper, we prove the following improved Vitali–Hahn–Saks measure convergence theorem: Let (L, 0, 1) be a Boolean algebra with the sequential completeness property, (G, ) be an Abelian topological group, be a nonnegative finitely additive measure defined on L, {_n: n N} be a sequence of finitely additive s-bounded G-valued measures defined on L, too. If for each a L, {_n(a)}_{n N} is a -convergent sequence, for each nN, when { (a)} convergent to 0, {_n(a)} is -convergent, then when { (a)} convergent to 0, {_n(a)} are -convergent uniformly with respect to nN     

Spannungsverläufe Nach Wechseln der Verformungsgeschwindigkeit an Metalleinkristallen II. Auswertung der Spannungsänderungen Nach Wechseln der Abgleitgeschwindigkeit

The general relation between the change in the effective stress on dislocation _v and the extrapolated value _A (linear extrapolation from the region of steady flow over the transient regiona _u) is given under the assumption that the hardening is approximately constant in the strain interval of the magnitude ofa _u ata=const. The effect of recovery on the stress variations after strain rate change is also evaluated. Finally, the equations describing the rate of stress changes in the transient regiona _u are deduced.

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Ke Karlovu 5, Praha 2, Czechoslovakia.     

The magnetic structures of NdCu2 determined by single crystal neutron diffraction

We investigated the magnetic structure of NdCu₂ by means of neutron diffraction as a function of temperature between 1.5 K and 8 K in zero external field. The diffraction data were obtained on two single crystals with different orientations using the triple-axis-spectrometer TAS6 at the DR-3 reactor at Risø. Two magnetic phases were observed between 1.5K andT _N =6.5K. From 1.5 K to 4.1 K the magnetic reflections can be described by the commensurate wave vector =(3/5 0 0) and its higher harmonics 3 and 5. Below 2.5K the structure is completely squared-up. For 4.1 KT6.5 K the magnetic structure is incommensurate with the chemical lattice and can be described by the wave vector=(3/5 0 0) and its higher harmonies 3 and 5M. Below 2.5 K the structure is completely squared-up. For 4.1 K T 6.5 K the magnetic structure is incommensurate with the chemical lattice and can be described by the wave vector ^*=(0.62 0.044 0). In both phases the Nd-moments are oriented along the easyb-direction.     

How to measure the magnetic moment of the tau lepton

We present a method for obtaining bounds on the magnetic moment of the lepton. In order to do this, we study the radiative decayW as a function of the anomalous magnetic moment of the ,a . One can obtain bounds as good asa < 4.05×10^–2, 2.25×10^–2, 4.5×10^–3, and 2.5×10^–3 at the present Fermilab, future Fermilab, SSC, and LHC, respectively.     

On the Surface Pressure for the Edwards-Anderson Model

For the Edwards-Anderson model we introduce an integral representation for the surface pressure (per unit surface) in terms of a quenched moment of the bond-overlap on the surface. We consider free , periodic and antiperiodic ^* boundary conditions (by symmetry ⁽⁾=^(*)), and prove the bounds We show moreover that at high temperatures ⁽⁾ is close to ^2/4 and ⁽⁾ is close to ^2/4 uniformly in the volume .     

On the Eigenstates of the Elliptic Calogero–Moser Model

It is known that the trigonometric Calogero–Sutherland model is obtained by the trigonometric limit (–1) of the elliptic Calogero–Moser model, where (1, ) is a basic period of the elliptic function. We show that for all square-integrable eigenstates and eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian of the Calogero–Sutherland model, if exp(2–1) is small enough then there exist square-integrable eigenstates and eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian of the elliptic Calogero–Moser model which converge to the ones of the Calogero–Sutherland model for the 2-particle and the coupling constant l is positive integer cases and the 3-particle and l=1 case. In other words, we justify the regular perturbation with respect to the parameter exp(2–1). With some assumptions, we show analogous results for N-particle and l is positive integer cases.     

Surface tension,step free energy,and facets in the equilibrium crystal

Some aspects of the microscopic theory of interfaces in classical lattice systems are developed. The problem of the appearance of facets in the (Wulff) equilibrium crystal shape is discussed, together with its relation to the discontinuities of the derivatives of the surface tension (n) (with respect to the components of the surface normaln) and the role of the step free energy ^step(m) (associated with a step orthogonal tom on a rigid interface). Among the results are, in the case of the Ising model at low enough temperatures, the existence of ^step(m) in the thermodynamic limit, the expression of this quantity by means of a convergent cluster expansion, and the fact that 2^step(m) is equal to the value of the jump of the derivative / (when varies) at the point =0 [withn=(m ₁ sin ,m ₂ sin , cos )]. Finally, using this fact, it is shown that the facet shape is determined by the function ^step(m).     

Infrared behaviour of metallic systems in one,two and three dimensions

A simple approximate expression for the electron lifetime() in metals is rederived and discussed for different dimensions. In the 3D-case we get the well known Drude behaviour, i.e. a constant. In one dimension() is strongly frequency-dependent in the IR. The 2D-case is intermediate to the preceding ones. These results are essentially due to the different form of the Fermi surface for an electron gas in one, two and three dimensions.     

On the global behaviour of symmetric Skyrmions

It is shown that the chiral angle, (r), of the hedgehog (symmetric) Skyrmions with an arbitrary baryon number, is a strictly decreasing or increasing function. For large values of r>0, (r) is strictly convex or concave. As r, (r) and (r) approach their limit values at the rate Or ^- for any (0,2).     

Dispersion of the permittivity of high-resistance semiconductors

We consider the mechanism of macroscopic polarization of semiconducting plates owing to the interaction of free carriers with an impurity level, in which role the level of the residual impurity of compensated semiconductors may appear. This mechanism, in combination with the diffusion-drift mechanism of polarization, results in additional dispersion of the real () and imaginary () parts of the dielectric permittivity, this being particularly significant for semiconductors of thickness smaller than the screening length L_s of free carriers. The character of the behavior of and depends on the relation between the Maxwell relation time _M and the times of carrier capture: _c and ejection _e by an impurity center. For _cetm and (/L_s) _e/_c1 the dispersion of and is the same as for thick plates (/L_s1). For _{c m e} and (/L_s)_e/_c1 the () curve has a characteristic kink in the region 1/_e, indicating additional absorption associated with the ejection of carriers into the surface region.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 10, pp. 11–13, October, 1981.     

The unitary bogoliubov transformation for a quantized scalar field in a friedman space-time

The time-dependent creation and annihilation operators for a complex scalar field, in a Friedmann space-time, defining particle states with respect to which the Hamiltonian is diagonal, are related by a Bogoliubov transformation to the creation and annihilation operators defined in strict analogy with the procedure carried out in Minkowski space. The Bogoliubov transformation is here written in terms of a unitary operator,U, and an expression for that operator is found via the generating functionF=i InU. The properties of the representation obtained by makingU act upon the state vector , to give a new state _U, are discussed. It is shown that the particle-number operator remains constant in such a picture so that the evolution of the system with time is clearly seen to depend upon the energy _k on the one hand, and upon the state vector _U on the other. Also, it is pointed out that this new representation permits the in and out states to be defined unambiguously.On leave of absence from Istituto de Fisica G. Galilei (Padova) and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (Sezione di Padova).     

R andRτ ratios at the five-loop level of perturbative QCD

We study perturbative QCD at the five-loop level. In particular we considerR = _tot(e ⁺ e ^– hadrons)/(e ⁺ e ^{– + –}) andR = ( v+hadrons)/( ev). We use our method to estimate the five-loop coefficients. As a result, we obtain _s (M _z ) = 0.1186(11) and _s (34 GeV) = 0.1396(16), which are accurate at the 1% level. We also findR = 3.8350(18), which is consistent withR and is accurate to 0.05%.     

The paramagnetic state (μ+e−) in silicon and tellurium at high temperature

The paramagnetic state (⁺e^–) in Si and Te was observed in a longitudinal magnetic field. The mean lifetimes of these states were obtained: _Si = 1.45(3) s, _Te = 12.5(8) s at 290 K, _Te = 12(2) s at 250 K.