The Effect of Focusing and Caustics on Exit Phenomena in Systems Lacking Detailed Balance
Loading...
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Description
We study the trajectories followed by a particle subjected to weak noise when escaping from the domain of attraction of a stable fixed point. If detailed balance is absent, a _focus_ may occur along the most probable exit path, leading to a breakdown of symmetry (if present). The exit trajectory bifurcates, and the exit location distribution may become `skewed' (non-Gaussian). The weak-noise asymptotics of the mean escape time are strongly affected. Our methods extend to the study of skewed exit location distributions in stochastic models without symmetry.
REVTEX macros (latest version). Two accompanying PS figures, one of which is large (over 600K unpacked)
REVTEX macros (latest version). Two accompanying PS figures, one of which is large (over 600K unpacked)