Multidimensional random subshifts of finite type and their large deviations

Summary I introduce random multidimensional subshifts of finite type which generalize models of spin-glasses and establish the “almost sure” large deviations bounds for Gibbs measures there. The paper is sequel to [EKW] where the corresponding results were obtained for deterministic multidimensional subshifts of finite type. Partially supported by US-Israel BSF     

Fluctuations of shapes of large areas under paths of random walks

Summary We discuss statistical properties of random walks conditioned by fixing a large area under their paths. We prove the functional central limit theorem (invariance principle) for these conditional distributions. The limiting Gaussian measure coincides with the conditional probability distribution of certain timenonhomogeneous Gaussian random process obtained by an integral transformation of the white noise. From the point of view of statistical mechanics the studied problem is the problem of describing the fluctuations of the phase boundary in the one-dimensional SOS-model.     

Recurrent random walks in nonnegative matrices II

Summary In this paper, we continue the study undertaken in our earlier paper [M1]. One of the main results here can be described as follows. LetX ₀,X ₁, ... be a sequence of iid random affine maps from (R ⁺) ^d into itself. Let us write:W _n X _n X _n –1...X ₀ andZ _n X ₀ X ₁...X _n , where composition of maps is the rule of multiplication. By the attractorA(u),u(R ⁺) ^d , we mean the setA u={y(R⁺)^d:P(W_n uN i.o.) > 0 for every openN containingy}. It is shown that the attractorA(u), under mild conditions, is the support of a stationary probability measure, when the random walk (Z _n ) has at least one recurrent state.     

The out-off phenomenon for random reflections II: Complex and quaternionic cases

Summary In this paper we generalize the random reflections problem onO(N) considered in an earlier paper to the complex and quaternionic cases. We give precise estimates on the speed of convergence to stationarity for specific examples of random walks onU(N) andSp(N) for which the one-step distribution is a certain probability measure concentrated on reflections. Our results show that in both cases the so-called cut-off phenomenon occurs atk ₀=1/2N logN.This paper is based on parts of the author's doctoral dissertation written at The Johns Hopkins University     

Restricted random walks on a graph

The problem of a restricted random walk on graphs, which keeps track of the number of immediate reversal steps, is considered by using a transfer matrix formulation. A closed-form expression is obtained for the generating function of the number ofn-step walks withr reversal steps for walks on any graph. In the case of graphs of a uniform valence, we show that our result has a probabilistic meaning, and deduce explicit expressions for the generating function in terms of the eigenvalues of the adjacency matrix. Applications to periodic lattices and the complete graph are given.Supported in part by National Science Foundation Grant DMR-9614170.     

On the local time of random walk on the 2-dimensional comb

We study the path behaviour of general random walks, and that of their local times, on the 2-dimensional comb lattice C² that is obtained from Z² by removing all horizontal edges off the x-axis. We prove strong approximation results for such random walks and also for their local times. Concentrating mainly on the latter, we establish strong and weak limit theorems, including Strassen-type laws of the iterated logarithm, Hirsch-type laws, and weak convergence results in terms of functional convergence in distribution.     

Crossing velocities for an annealed random walk in a random potential

We consider a random walk in an i.i.d. non-negative potential on the d-dimensional integer lattice. The walk starts at the origin and is conditioned to hit a remote location y on the lattice. We prove that the expected time under the annealed path measure needed by the random walk to reach y grows only linearly in the distance from y to the origin. In dimension 1 we show the existence of the asymptotic positive speed.     

The problem of the most visited site in random environment

We prove that the process of the most visited site of Sinai's simple random walk in random environment is transient. The rate of escape is characterized via an integral criterion. Our method also applies to a class of recurrent diffusion processes with random potentials. It is interesting to note that the corresponding problem for the usual symmetric Bernoulli walk or for Brownian motion remains open. Received: 17 April 1998     

Shift-coupling and a zero-one law for random walk in random environment

This paper discusses several aspects of shift-coupling for random walk in random environment.     

One-sided local large deviation and renewal theorems in the case of infinite mean

Summary. If {S _n ,n≧0} is an integer-valued random walk such that S _n /a _n converges in distribution to a stable law of index α∈ (0,1) as n→∞, then Gnedenko’s local limit theorem provides a useful estimate for P{S _n =r} for values of r such that r/a _n is bounded. The main point of this paper is to show that, under certain circumstances, there is another estimate which is valid when r/a _n → +∞, in other words to establish a large deviation local limit theorem. We also give an asymptotic bound for P{S _n =r} which is valid under weaker assumptions. This last result is then used in establishing some local versions of generalized renewal theorems. Received: 9 August 1995 / In revised form: 29 September 1996     

Anomalous behaviour for the random corrections to the cumulants of random walks in fluctuating random media

The Central Limit Theorem for a model of discrete-time random walks on the lattice ℤ^ν in a fluctuating random environment was proved for almost-all realizations of the space-time nvironment, for all ν > 1 in [BMP1] and for all ν≥ 1 in [BBMP]. In [BMP1] it was proved that the random correction to the average of the random walk for ν≥ 3 is finite. In the present paper we consider the cases ν = 1,2 and prove the Central Limit Theorem as T→∞ for the random correction to the first two cumulants. The rescaling factor for theaverage is for ν = 1 and (ln T), for ν=2; for the covariance it is , ν = 1,2. Received: 25 November 1999 / Revised version: 7 June 2000 / Published online: 15 February 2001     

On a variational problem with non-differentiable constraints

We study the regularity of minimizers and critical points of the Dirichlet energy under an integral constraint given by a non-differentiable function. We obtain existence of a Lipschitz continuous minimizer for a relaxed problem. In two dimensions, some regularity can also be proved for critical points.     

Maximum entropy principles for disordered spins

Summary We transform nonstationary independent random fields with exponential Radon-Nikodym factors and study the asymptotics of the transformed processes. As applications we deduce conditional limit theorems for such random fields, and we study a Curie-Weiss-type mean-field model of a quenched mixed magnetic crystal. This model has quenched site disorder and frustration but non-random coupling constants. We find a continuous phase transition with critical exponents equal to those of the classical Curie-Weiss theory.     

The drift of a one-dimensional self-avoiding random walk

Summary We prove that a self-avoiding random walk on the integers with bounded increments grows linearly. We characterize its drift in terms of the Frobenius eigenvalue of a certain one parameter family of primitive matrices. As an important tool, we express the local times as a two-block functional of a certain Markov chain, which is of independent interest.     

Brownian processes in infinite dimension

LetE be a locally convex space endowed with a centered gaussian measure . We construct a continuousE-valued brownian motionW _t with covariance . The main goal is to solve the SDE of Langevin type dX _t= dW _t–AX _t wherea andA are unbounded operators of the Cameron-Martin space of (E, ). It appears as the unique linear measurable extension of the solution of the classical Cauchy problemv(t)= u–Av(t).     

Precise large deviation estimates for a one-dimensional random walk in a random environment

ω_x } (taking values in the interval [1/2, 1)), which serve as an environment. This environment defines a random walk {X _k } (called a RWRE) which, when at x, moves one step to the right with probability ω _x , and one step to the left with probability 1 −ωx. Solomon (1975) determined the almost-sure asymptotic speed (= rate of escape) of a RWRE, in a more general set-up. Dembo, Peres and Zeitouni (1996), following earlier work by Greven and den Hollander (1994) on the quenched case, have computed rough tail asymptotics for the empirical mean of the annealed RWRE. They conjectured the form of the rate function in a full LDP. We prove in this paper their conjecture. The proof is based on a “coarse graining scheme” together with comparison techniques. Received: 22 July 1997/Revised version: 15 June 1998     

On Beveridge-Nelson decomposition and limit theorems for linear random fields

We consider linear random fields and show how an analogue of the Beveridge-Nelson decomposition can be applied to prove limit theorems for sums of such fields.