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Random walks in a random field of decaying traps

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Abstract

We study random walks on ℤd (d⩾ 1) containing traps subject to decay. The initial trap distribution is random. In the course of time, traps decay independently according to a given lifetime distribution. We derive a necessary and sufficient condition under which the walk eventually gets trapped with probability 1. We prove bounds and asymptotic estimates for the survival probability as a function of time and for the average trapping time. These are compared with some well-known results for nondecaying traps.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mathematical Institute, University of Utrecht, Budapestlaan 6, 3508, TA Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Frank den Hollander

  2. Department of Chemistry B-040, University of California-San Diego, 92093-0340, La Jolla, California

    Kurt E. Shuler

Authors
  1. Frank den Hollander
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  2. Kurt E. Shuler
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Hollander, F.d., Shuler, K.E. Random walks in a random field of decaying traps. J Stat Phys 67, 13–31 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01049025

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01049025

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