arXiv subjects

Lai-Sang Young

Publications and source records attributed to Lai-Sang Young.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Modeling temporal networks using random itineraries

We propose a procedure to generate dynamical networks with bursty, possibly repetitive and correlated temporal behaviors. Regarding any weighted directed graph as being composed of the accumulation of paths between its nodes, our construction uses random walks of variable length to produce time-extended structures with adjustable features. The procedure is first described in a general framework. It is then illustrated in a case study inspired by a transportation system for which the resulting synthetic network is shown to accurately mimic the empirical phenomenology.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2012

Dispersing billiards with moving scatterers

We propose a model of Sinai billiards with moving scatterers, in which the locations and shapes of the scatterers may change by small amounts between collisions. Our main result is the exponential loss of memory of initial data at uniform rates, and our proof consists of a coupling argument for non-stationary compositions of maps similar to classical billiard maps. This can be seen as a prototypical result on the statistical properties of time-dependent dynamical systems.

math.DS↗

arXiv2012

Memory loss for time-dependent dynamical systems

This paper discusses the evolution of probability distributions for certain time-dependent dynamical systems. Exponential loss of memory is proved for expanding maps and for one-dimensional piecewise expanding maps with slowly varying parameters.

math.DS↗

arXiv2012

Limitations of perturbative techniques in the analysis of rhythms and oscillations

Perturbation theory is an important tool in the analysis of oscillators and their response to external stimuli. It is predicated on the assumption that the perturbations in question are "sufficiently weak", an assumption that is not always valid when perturbative methods are applied. In this paper, we identify a number of concrete dynamical scenarios in which a standard perturbative technique, based on the infinitesimal phase response curve (PRC), is shown to give different predictions than the full model. Shear-induced chaos, i.e., chaotic behavior that results from the amplification of small perturbations by underlying shear, is missed entirely by the PRC. We show also that the presence of "sticky" phase-space structures tend to cause perturbative techniques to overestimate the frequencies and regularity of the oscillations. The phenomena we describe can all be observed in a simple 2D neuron model, which we choose for illustration as the PRC is widely used in mathematical neuroscience.

q-bio.NC↗

arXiv2011

Entropy, Lyapunov Exponents and Escape Rates in Open Systems

We study the relation between escape rates and pressure in general dynamical systems with holes, where pressure is defined to be the difference between entropy and the sum of positive Lyapunov exponents. Central to the discussion is the formulation of a class of invariant measures supported on the survivor set over which we take the supremum to measure the pressure. Upper bounds for escape rates are proved for general diffeomorphisms of manifolds, possibly with singularities, for arbitrary holes and natural initial distributions including Lebesgue and SRB measures. Lower bounds do not hold in such generality, but for systems admitting Markov tower extensions with spectral gaps, we prove the equality of the escape rate with the absolute value of the pressure and the existence of an invariant measure realizing the escape rate, i.e. we prove a full variational principle. As an application of our results, we prove a variational principle for the billiard map associated with a planar Lorentz gas of finite horizon with holes.

math.DS↗

arXiv2010

Rattling and freezing in a 1-D transport model

We consider a heat conduction model introduced in \cite{Collet-Eckmann 2009}. This is an open system in which particles exchange momentum with a row of (fixed) scatterers. We assume simplified bath conditions throughout, and give a qualitative description of the dynamics extrapolating from the case of a single particle for which we have a fairly clear understanding. The main phenomenon discussed is {\it freezing}, or the slowing down of particles with time. As particle number is conserved, this means fewer collisions per unit time, and less contact with the baths; in other words, the conductor becomes less effective. Careful numerical documentation of freezing is provided, and a theoretical explanation is proposed. Freezing being an extremely slow process, however, the system behaves as though it is in a steady state for long durations. Quantities such as energy and fluxes are studied, and are found to have curious relationships with particle density.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2010

Dynamics of Periodically-kicked Oscillators

We review some recent results surrounding a general mechanism for producing chaotic behavior in periodically-kicked oscillators. The key geometric ideas are illustrated via a simple linear shear model.

math.DS↗

arXiv2010

Nonequilibrium Steady States for Certain Hamiltonian Models

We report the results of a numerical study of nonequilibrium steady states for a class of Hamiltonian models. In these models of coupled matter-energy transport, particles exchange energy through collisions with pinned-down rotating disks. In [Commun. Math. Phys. 262 (2006)], Eckmann and Young studied 1D chains and showed that certain simple formulas give excellent approximations of energy and particle density profiles. Keeping the basic mode of interaction in [Eckmann-Young], we extend their prediction scheme to a number of new settings: 2D systems on different lattices, driven by a variety of boundary (heat bath) conditions including the use of thermostats. Particle-conserving models of the same type are shown to behave similarly. The second half of this paper examines memory and finite-size effects, which appear to impact only minimally the profiles of the models tested in [Eckmann-Young]. We demonstrate that these effects can be significant or insignificant depending on the local geometry. Dynamical mechanisms are proposed, and in the case of directional bias in particle trajectories due to memory, correction schemes are derived and shown to give accurate predictions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2009

Escape Rates and Physically Relevant Measures for Billiards with Small Holes

We study the billiard map corresponding to a periodic Lorentz gas in 2-dimensions in the presence of small holes in the table. We allow holes in the form of open sets away from the scatterers as well as segments on the boundaries of the scatterers. For a large class of smooth initial distributions, we establish the existence of a common escape rate and normalized limiting distribution. This limiting distribution is conditionally invariant and is the natural analogue of the SRB measure of a closed system. Finally, we prove that as the size of the hole tends to zero, the limiting distribution converges to the smooth invariant measure of the billiard map.

math.DS↗

arXiv2008

Reliability of Layered Neural Oscillator Networks

We study the reliability of large networks of coupled neural oscillators in response to fluctuating stimuli. Reliability means that a stimulus elicits essentially identical responses upon repeated presentations. We view the problem on two scales: neuronal reliability, which concerns the repeatability of spike times of individual neurons embedded within a network, and pooled-response reliability, which addresses the repeatability of the total synaptic output from the network. We find that individual embedded neurons can be reliable or unreliable depending on network conditions, whereas pooled responses of sufficiently large networks are mostly reliable. We study also the effects of noise, and find that some types affect reliability more seriously than others.

q-bio.NC↗

arXiv2007

Reliability of Coupled Oscillators I: Two-Oscillator Systems

This paper concerns the reliability of a pair of coupled oscillators in response to fluctuating inputs. Reliability means that an input elicits essentially identical responses upon repeated presentations regardless of the network's initial condition. Our main result is that both reliable and unreliable behaviors occur in this network for broad ranges of coupling strengths, even though individual oscillators are always reliable when uncoupled. A new finding is that at low input amplitudes, the system is highly susceptible to unreliable responses when the feedforward and feedback couplings are roughly comparable. A geometric explanation based on shear-induced chaos at the onset of phase-locking is proposed.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2007

Reliability of Coupled Oscillators II: Larger Networks

We study the reliability of phase oscillator networks in response to fluctuating inputs. Reliability means that an input elicits essentially identical responses upon repeated presentations, regardless of the network's initial condition. In this paper, we extend previous results on two-cell networks to larger systems. The first issue that arises is chaos in the absence of inputs, which we demonstrate and interpret in terms of reliability. We give a mathematical analysis of networks that can be decomposed into modules connected by an acyclic graph. For this class of networks, we show how to localize the source of unreliability, and address questions concerning downstream propagation of unreliability once it is produced.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2007

Shear-Induced Chaos

Guided by a geometric understanding developed in earlier works of Wang and Young, we carry out some numerical studies of shear-induced chaos. The settings considered include periodic kicking of limit cycles, random kicks at Poisson times, and continuous-time driving by white noise. The forcing of a quasi-periodic model describing two coupled oscillators is also investigated. In all cases, positive Lyapunov exponents are found in suitable parameter ranges when the forcing is suitably directed.

math.DS↗

arXiv2007

Correlations in Nonequilibrium Steady States

We present the results of a detailed study of energy correlations at steady state for a 1-D model of coupled energy and matter transport. Our aim is to discover -- via theoretical arguments, conjectures, and numerical simulations -- how spatial covariances scale with system size, their relations to local thermodynamic quantities, and the randomizing effects of heat baths. Among our findings are that short-range covariances respond quadratically to local temperature gradients, and long-range covariances decay linearly with macroscopic distance. These findings are consistent with exact results for the simple exclusion and KMP models.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2006

Reliable and unreliable dynamics in driven coupled oscillators

This letter concerns the reliability of coupled oscillator networks in response to fluctuating inputs. Reliability means that (following a transient) an input elicits identical responses upon repeated presentations, regardless of the system's initial condition. Here, we analyze this property for two coupled oscillators, demonstrating that oscillator networks exhibit both reliable and unreliable dynamics for broad ranges of coupling strengths. We further argue that unreliable dynamics are characterized by strange attractors with random SRB measures, implying that though unreliable, the responses lie on low-dimensional sets. Finally, we show that 1:1 phase locking in the zero-input system corresponds to high susceptibility for unreliable responses. A geometric explanation is proposed.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2005

Nonequilibrium Energy Profiles for a Class of 1-D Models

As a paradigm for heat conduction in 1 dimension, we propose a class of models represented by chains of identical cells, each one of which containing an energy storage device called a "tank". Energy exchange among tanks is mediated by tracer particles, which are injected at characteristic temperatures and rates from heat baths at the two ends of the chain. For stochastic and Hamiltonian models of this type, we develop a theory that allows one to derive rigorously -- under physically natural assumptions -- macroscopic equations for quantities related to heat transport, including mean energy profiles and tracer densities. Concrete examples are treated for illustration, and the validity of the Fourier Law in the present context is discussed.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2004

Temperature Profiles in Hamiltonian Heat Conduction

We study heat transport in the context of Hamiltonian and related stochastic models with nearest-neighbor coupling, and derive a universal law for the temperature profiles of a large class of such models. This law contains a parameter $α$, and is linear only when $α=1$. The value of $α$ depends on energy-exchange mechanisms, including the range of motion of tracer particles and their times of flight.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv1999

Analysis of a Class of Strange Attractors

This work contains the results from a comprehensive study of a new class of attractors. The attractors in this class are characterized by strong local instability, but they are not uniformly hyperbolic. Rigorous results on their dynamical, geometric and statistical properties are presented.

math.DS↗