Lie algebraic approach for Fokker-Planck dynamics with space-dependent diffusion and mean-reverting drift

Using the Lie algebraic approach we have derived the exact diffusion propagator of the Fokker-Planck equation with a time-dependent variable diffusion coefficient and a time-dependent mean-reverting force between two absorbing boundaries. The exact diffusion propagator not only enables us to study the time evolution of the corresponding stochastic system, but the knowledge of the propagator can also provide a benchmark for testing approximate numerical or analytical procedures. Furthermore, the Lie algebraic method is very simple and could be easily extended to the more general Fokker-Planck equations with well-defined algebraic structures. Received 18 December 2002 / Received in final form 3 March 2003 Published online 24 April 2003