arXiv subjects

Denis S. Grebenkov

Publications and source records attributed to Denis S. Grebenkov.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Survival in a partially reactive wedge

We investigate the power-law decay of the survival probability of a Brownian particle diffusing in an infinite planar wedge whose two sides are partially reactive and described by Robin boundary conditions. We employ matched asymptotic analysis to relate the long-time asymptotics to a stationary harmonic Robin problem near the apex. This approach determines the persistence exponent for arbitrary opening angles and yields the prefactor explicitly for the family of wedges with $\alpha=\pi/n$ ($n=1,2,\ldots$). A simple extension of the apex prefactor to arbitrary angles is conjectured and supported numerically. This asymptotic behavior describes the crossover to the well-known result for perfectly absorbing wedges. As immediate applications, we also deduce the long-time behavior of the probability density function of the boundary local time on wedge sides, as well as the probability density function of the associated first-crossing time.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2026

Comparison inequalities for Dirichlet-to-Neumann maps

We prove comparison inequalities for Dirichlet-to-Neumann maps corresponding to different non-positive Helmholtz parameters. For convex domains our bounds are sharp, and the resulting eigenvalue inequalities partially confirm an earlier conjecture, which we show does not hold in full generality. We further obtain geometry-dependent versions for arbitrary sufficiently regular domains, together with extensions to compact Riemannian manifolds with boundary. We also discuss analogous questions for metric graphs.

math.SP↗

arXiv2026

Surviving the Attack of the Clones

We consider a population dynamics model in which each diffusing particle that hits a catalytic surface can split into two independent copies (clones). The particles of such a growing-in-size population search in parallel for a hidden partially reactive target to trigger a reaction event (e.g., a viral attack). We investigate the statistics of the fastest first-reaction time (FRT) among all the particles. We establish a nonlinear integral equation for the survival probability and then analyze the associated probability density of the FRT and its moments. Lower and upper bounds on the mean FRT are then deduced in terms of the system parameters (target reactivity, catalytic rate, diffusivity, etc.). Because autocatalytic replication can rapidly increase the number of searchers, it can substantially accelerate the diffusive search. We solve the nonlinear equations numerically in a basic geometric setting and reveal advantages and limitations on the autocatalytic search.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2026

Diffusion-driven autocatalytic dynamics on a sphere

We study the collective dynamics of independent particles that diffuse outside a spherical surface, on which they are replicated with a prescribed catalytic rate. In spatial dimensions three and higher, the transient nature of diffusion creates the competition between autocatalytic and escape events, thus leading to a rich phase diagram between subcritical (extinction), critical (steady-state), and supercritical (growth) regimes at long times. The rotational symmetry of the domain and an explicit form of the single-particle diffusion propagator allow us to obtain the statistics of the population size (i.e., the number of particles). In this way, we analyze the mean population size, its variance and higher-order moments, as well as the full distribution. In particular, we obtain a fully explicit form of the distribution at long times and describe a slow, power-law approach to this steady-state limit.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2026

Population dynamics of surface-mediated autocatalytic processes

We investigate the population dynamics of surface-mediated autocatalytic processes, in which particles diffuse in a complex environment towards surface regions where they can be either killed or replicated. These opposite mechanisms compete with each other and lead to a sophisticated stochastic evolution of the population size. We provide a systematic analysis of the generating function of the population size. We also deduce its distribution, mean, variance and higher-order moments. For this purpose, we employ several equivalent descriptions of these quantities in terms of nonlinear integral equations and partial differential equations with nonlinear boundary conditions. We inspect the long-time behavior of the population dynamics in three regimes when the mean population size vanishes, reaches a steady-state level, or grows exponentially. A numerical solution of the underlying integral equations and independent Monte Carlo simulations support our theoretical predictions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2026

Reaction-Diffusion Processes with Surface Autocatalysis

Autocatalytic processes underlie diverse systems in which replication is triggered at interfaces, including heterogeneous catalysis on solid substrates, enzyme activity at membranes, viral infections, biofilm growth, and spatially structured ecosystems. In a typical scenario, particles move in a bulk medium and interact with surface regions, where they may either disappear or reproduce through branching, splitting or fission. Here, we develop a general theoretical framework to understand such surface-mediated autocatalytic processes. We show that the interplay between loss and replication at surfaces gives rise to rich population dynamics. For this purpose, we derive a renewal-type nonlinear integral equation for the generating function of the population size, providing access to its full probability distribution and statistical moments. We further establish an equivalent description in terms of a Fokker-Planck equation with nonlinear Robin-type boundary conditions that encode surface reactions. Our results identify distinct dynamical regimes and universal scaling laws, and provide a unified framework to predict when surface activity promotes extinction or explosive growth. These findings offer quantitative insight into catalytic efficiency, metabolic regulation, and population persistence in spatially heterogeneous environments.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2026

Spectral properties of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map for the Helmholtz equation

The study of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map and the associated Steklov problem for the Laplace equation has been a central topic in spectral geometry over the past decade. In this survey, we consider a more general framework in which the Laplace equation is replaced by the Helmholtz equation. We examine how the properties of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann eigenvalues and eigenfunctions depend on the parameter in the Helmholtz equation and describe new phenomena arising when this parameter is nonzero, as opposed to the Laplace case. In particular, we present various eigenvalue inequalities, analyse spectral asymptotics in different regimes, and investigate nodal domains and other features of eigenfunctions. We also discuss applications where the Helmholtz parameter plays an essential role, as well as challenges encountered in the numerical computation of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann spectrum.

math.SP↗

arXiv2026

A unifying approach to diffusive transport in annealed heterogeneous media

We introduce the concept of Randomly Modulated Gaussian Processes as a unifying framework for elaborating, analyzing and classifying anomalous diffusion models in annealed heterogeneous media. This formulation incorporates correlations in the displacements together with correlated fluctuations of their amplitudes. Most known models of anomalous diffusion (including continuous-time random walk, fractional Brownian motion, and L\'evy flights) and random diffusivity can be described and further generalized within this framework. Moreover, the unified view identifies the main statistical properties to be probed experimentally for a reliable classification of diffusive dynamics. The proposed matrix formulation facilitates the computation of the first four moments and allows for a systematic statistical characterization of the considered processes. The necessary and sufficient conditions are provided for the emergence of anomalous diffusion. General expressions for the non-Gaussian parameter, the ergodicity breaking parameter and the covariance of squared increments are derived. An expression for the characteristic function and the codifference (i.e., a generalized measure of correlations) are obtained and used to study the special cases of L\'evy flights and Laplace motion with correlated displacements. Potential applications of this framework for systematic analysis and biophysical interpretations of experimental single-particle trajectories are discussed.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2026

Fastest first-passage time for multiple searchers with finite speed

We study analytically and numerically the mean fastest first-passage time (fFPT) to an immobile target for an ensemble of $N$ independent finite-speed random searchers driven by dichotomous noise and described by the telegrapher's equation. In stark contrast to the well-studied case of Brownian particles -- for which the mean fFPT vanishes logarithmically with $N$ -- we uncover that the mean fFPT is bounded from below by the minimal ballistic travel time, with an exponentially fast convergence to this bound as $N \to \infty$. This behavior reveals a dramatic efficiency advantage of physically realistic, finite-speed searchers over Brownian ones and illustrates how diffusive macroscopic models may be conceptually misleading in predicting the short-time behavior of a physical system. We extend our analysis to anomalous diffusion generated by Riemann-Liouville-type dichotomous noises and find that target detection is more efficient in the superdiffusive regime, followed by normal and then subdiffusive regimes, in agreement with physical intuition and contrary to earlier predictions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2025

Correlation between the first-reaction time and the acquired boundary local time

We investigate the statistical correlation between the first-reaction time of a diffusing particle and its boundary local time accumulated until the reaction event. Since the reaction event occurs after multiple encounters of the particle with a partially reactive boundary, the boundary local time as a proxy for the number of such encounters is not independent of, but intrinsically linked to, the first-reaction time. We propose a universal theoretical framework to derive their joint probability density and, in particular, the correlation coefficient. To illustrate the dependence of these correlations on the boundary reactivity and shape, we obtain explicit analytical solutions for several basic domains. The analytical results are complemented by Monte Carlo simulations, which we employ to examine the role of interior obstacles on correlations in disordered media. Applications of these statistical results in chemical physics are discussed

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2025

The geometric control of boundary-catalytic branching processes

Boundary-catalytic branching processes describe a broad class of natural phenomena where the population of diffusing particles grows due to their spontaneous binary branching (e.g., division, fission or splitting) on a catalytic boundary located in a complex environment. We investigate the possibility of the geometric control of the population growth by compensating the proliferation of particles due to catalytic branching events by their absorptions in the bulk or on absorbing regions of the boundary. We identify an appropriate Steklov spectral problem to obtain the phase diagram of this out-of-equilibrium stochastic process. The principal eigenvalue determines the critical line that separates an exponential growth of the population from its extinction in a bounded domain. In other words, we establish a powerful tool for calculating the growth-regulating absorption rate that equilibrates the opposite effects of branching and absorption events and thus results in steady-state behavior of this diffusion-reaction system. Moreover, we show the existence of a critical catalytic rate above which no compensation is possible, so that the population cannot be controlled and keeps growing exponentially. The proposed framework opens promising perspectives for better understanding, modeling and control of various boundary-catalytic branching processes, with applications in physics, chemistry, and life sciences.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2025

The exterior Steklov problem for Euclidean domains

We investigate the Steklov eigenvalue problem in an exterior Euclidean domain. First, we present several formulations of this problem and establish the equivalences between them. Next, we examine various properties of the exterior Steklov eigenvalues and eigenfunctions. One of our main findings is an Escobar-type lower bound for the first exterior Steklov eigenvalue on convex domains in dimensions three and higher. This bound is expressed in terms of the principal curvatures of the boundary and is sharp, with equality attained for a ball. Moreover, it implies the existence of a sequence of convex domains with fixed volume and the first exterior Steklov eigenvalues tending to infinity. This contrasts with the interior case, as well as with the two-dimensional exterior case, for which we show that an analogue of the Weinstock isoperimetric inequality holds.

math.SP↗

arXiv2025

Reactive capacitance of flat patches of arbitrary shape

We investigate the capacity of a flat partially reactive patch of arbitrary shape to trap independent particles that undergo steady-state diffusion in the three-dimensional space. We focus on the total flux of particles onto the patch that determines its reactive capacitance. To disentangle the respective roles of the reactivity and the shape of the patch, we employ a spectral expansion of the reactive capacitance over a suitable Steklov eigenvalue problem. We derive several bounds on the reactive capacitance to reveal its monotonicity with respect to the reactivity and the shape. Two probabilistic interpretations are presented as well. An efficient numerical tool is developed for solving the associated Steklov spectral problem for patches of arbitrary shape. We propose and validate, both theoretically and numerically, a simple, fully explicit approximation for the reactive capacitance that depends only on the surface area and the electrostatic capacitance of the patch. This approximation opens promising ways to access various characteristics of diffusion-controlled reactions in general domains with multiple small well-separated patches. Direct applications of these results in statistical physics and physical chemistry are discussed.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2025

Competition of small targets in planar domains: from Dirichlet to Robin and Steklov boundary condition

We consider steady-state diffusion in a bounded planar domain with multiple small targets on a smooth boundary. Using the method of matched asymptotic expansions, we investigate the competition of these targets for a diffusing particle and the crucial role of surface reactions on the targets. We start from the classical problem of splitting probabilities for perfectly reactive targets with Dirichlet boundary condition and improve some earlier results. We discuss how this approach can be generalized to partially reactive targets characterized by a Robin boundary condition. In particular, we show how partial reactivity reduces the effective size of the target. In addition, we consider more intricate surface reactions modeled by mixed Steklov-Neumann or Steklov-Neumann-Dirichlet problems. We provide the first derivation of the asymptotic behavior of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for these spectral problems in the small-target limit. Finally, we show how our asymptotic approach can be extended to interior targets in the bulk and to exterior problems where diffusion occurs in an unbounded planar domain outside a compact set. Direct applications of these results to diffusion-controlled reactions are discussed.

math.AP↗

arXiv2025

The Effective Reactivity for Capturing Brownian Motion by Partially Reactive Patches on a Spherical Surface

We analyze the trapping of diffusing ligands, modeled as Brownian particles, by a sphere that has $N$ partially reactive boundary patches, each of small area and arbitrary shape, on an otherwise reflecting boundary. For such a structured target, the partial reactivity of each boundary patch is characterized by a Robin boundary condition, with a local boundary reactivity $\kappa_i$ for $i=1,\ldots,N$. For any spatial arrangement of well-separated patches on the surface of the sphere, the method of matched asymptotic expansions is used to derive explicit results for the capacitance $C_{\rm T}$ of the structured target, which is valid for any $\kappa_i>0$. This target capacitance $C_{\rm T}$ is defined in terms of a Green's matrix, which depends on the spatial configuration of patches, the local reactive capacitance $C_i(\kappa_i)$ of each patch and another coefficient that depends on the local geometry near a patch. The analytical dependence of $C_{i}(\kappa_i)$ on $\kappa_i$ is uncovered via a spectral expansion over Steklov eigenfunctions. For circular patches, the latter are readily computed numerically and provide an accurate fully explicit sigmoidal approximation for $C_{i}(\kappa_i)$. In the homogenization limit of $N\gg 1$ identical uniformly-spaced patches with $\kappa_i=\kappa$, we derive an explicit scaling law for the effective capacitance and the effective reactivity of the structured target that is valid in the limit of small patch area fraction. From a comparison with numerical simulations, we show that this scaling law provides a highly accurate approximation over the full range $\kappa>0$, even when there is only a moderately large number of reactive patches.

math.AP↗

arXiv2025

The Asymptotic Analysis of Some PDE and Steklov Eigenvalue Problems with Partially Reactive Patches in 3-D

We consider steady-state diffusion in a three-dimensional bounded domain with a smooth reflecting boundary that is partially covered by small partially reactive patches. By using the method of matched asymptotic expansions, we investigate the competition of these patches for a diffusing particle and the crucial role of surface reactions on these targets. After a brief overview of former contributions to this field, we first illustrate our approach by considering the classical problems of the mean first-reaction time (MFRT) and the splitting probability for partially reactive patches characterized by a Robin boundary condition. For a spherical domain, we derive a three-term asymptotic expansion for the MFRT and splitting probabilities in the small-patch limit. This expansion is valid for arbitrary reactivities, and also accounts for the effect of the spatial configuration of patches on the boundary. Secondly, we consider more intricate surface reactions modeled by mixed Steklov-Neumann or Steklov-Neumann-Dirichlet problems. We provide the first derivation of the asymptotic behavior of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for these spectral problems in the small-patch limit for a spherical domain. Extensions of these asymptotic results to arbitrary domains and their physical applications are discussed.

math.AP↗

arXiv2025

Improved boundary homogenization for a sphere with an absorbing cap of arbitrary size

Finding accurate approximations for the effective reactivity of a structured spherical target with a circular absorbing patch of arbitrary size is a long-standing problem in chemical physics. In this Communication, we reveal limitations of the empirical approximation proposed in [J. Chem. Phys. 145, 214101 (2016)]. We show that the original approximation fails at large patch surface fractions $\sigma$ and propose a simple amendment. The improved approximation is validated against a semi-analytical solution and is shown to be accurate over the entire range of $\sigma$ from $0$ to $1$. This approximation also determines the probability of reaction on the patch and the capacitance of such a structured target.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2025

Local persistence exponent and its log-periodic oscillations

We investigate the local persistence exponent of the survival probability of a particle diffusing near an absorbing self-similar boundary. We show by extensive Monte Carlo simulations that the local persistence exponent exhibits log-periodic oscillations over a broad range of timescales. We determine the period and mean value of these oscillations in a family of Koch snowflakes of different fractal dimensions. The effect of the starting point and its local environment on this behavior is analyzed in depth by a simple yet intuitive model. This analysis uncovers how spatial self-similarity of the boundary affects the diffusive dynamics and its temporal characteristics in complex systems.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗