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The target problem with evanescent subdiffusive traps

S. B. Yuste·J. J. Ruiz-Lorenzo·Katja Lindenberg
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Abstract

We calculate the survival probability of a stationary target in one dimension surrounded by diffusive or subdiffusive traps of time-dependent density. The survival probability of a target in the presence of traps of constant density is known to go to zero as a stretched exponential whose specific power is determined by the exponent that characterizes the motion of the traps. A density of traps that grows in time always leads to an asymptotically vanishing survival probability. Trap evanescence leads to a survival probability of the target that may be go to zero or to a finite value indicating a probability of eternal survival, depending on the way in which the traps disappear with time.

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S. B. Yuste, J. J. Ruiz-Lorenzo, Katja Lindenberg. 2006-07-25. The target problem with evanescent subdiffusive traps. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.74.046119

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