Statistical Theory for the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang Equation in 1+1 Dimension

Abstract

The Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) equation in 1+1 dimension dynamically develops sharply connected valley structures within which the height derivative {\it is not} continuous. There are two different regimes before and after creation of the sharp valleys. We develop a statistical theory for the KPZ equation in 1+1 dimension driven with a random forcing which is white in time and Gaussian correlated in space. A master equation is derived for the joint probability density function of height difference and height gradient $P(h-\bar h,\partial_{x}h,t)$ when the forcing correlation length is much smaller than the system size and much bigger than the typical sharp valley width. In the time scales before the creation of the sharp valleys we find the exact generating function of $h-\bar h$ and $\partial_x h$. Then we express the time scale when the sharp valleys develop, in terms of the forcing characteristics. In the stationary state, when the sharp valleys are fully developed, finite size corrections to the scaling laws of the structure functions $<(h-\bar h)^n (\partial_x h)^m>$ are also obtained.