Abstract
We show that the problem of the decay from an unstable state can be approached by means of a systematic expansion which directly approximates the trajectories associated with the stochastic process. The first step of the expansion is a quasi-deterministic theory (QDT) which gives good results when far from the critical point and is valid only for the early times when approaching it. In the latter case the successive terms allow the description of the behavior for intermediate times and close to the steady state. The method is illustrated in the case of a symmetric double well potential and compared with the results of a direct computer simulation of the stochastic process.
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Work supported by Gruppo Nazionale di Struttura della Materia-C.N.R.-Roma, Italy
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de Pasquale, F., Tartaglia, P. & Tombesi, P. Stochastic dynamic approach to the decay of an unstable state. Z. Physik B - Condensed Matter 43, 353–360 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01292803
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01292803