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Unstable decay and state selection

Martin B. Tarlie·Alan J. McKane
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Abstract

We consider the problem of state selection for a stochastic system, initially in an unstable stationary state, when multiple metastable states compete for occupation. Using path-integral techniques we derive remarkably simple and accurate formulas for state-selection probabilities. The method is sufficiently general that it is applicable to a wide variety of problems.

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Martin B. Tarlie, Alan J. McKane. 1997-08-16. Unstable decay and state selection. https://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/9708123

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