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Timo Seppalainen

Publications and source records attributed to Timo Seppalainen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2012

Level 1 quenched large deviation principle for random walk in dynamic random environment

Consider a random walk in a time-dependent random environment on the lattice Zd. Recently, Rassoul-Agha, Seppalainen and Yilmaz [RSY11] proved a general large deviation principle under mild ergodicity assumptions on the random environment for such a random walk, establishing first level 2 and 3 large deviation principles. Here we present two alternative short proofs of the level 1 large deviations under mild ergodicity assumptions on the environment: one for the continuous time case and another one for the discrete time case. Both proofs provide the existence, continuity and convexity of the rate function. Our methods are based on the use of the sub-additive ergodic theorem as presented by Varadhan in 2003.

math.PR↗
arXiv2011

Quenched Free Energy and Large Deviations for Random Walks in Random Potentials

We study quenched distributions on random walks in a random potential on integer lattices of arbitrary dimension and with an arbitrary finite set of admissible steps. The potential can be unbounded and can depend on a few steps of the walk. Directed, undirected and stretched polymers, as well as random walk in random environment, are covered. The restriction needed is on the moment of the potential, in relation to the degree of mixing of the ergodic environment. We derive two variational formulas for the limiting quenched free energy and prove a process-level quenched large deviation principle for the empirical measure. As a corollary we obtain LDPs for types of random walk in random environment not covered by earlier results.

math.PR↗
arXiv2010

TASEP with Discontinuous Jump Rates

We prove a hydrodynamic limit for the totally asymmetric simple exclusion process with spatially inhomogeneous jump rates given by a speed function that may admit discontinuities. The limiting density profiles are described with a variational formula. This formula enables us to compute explicit density profiles even though we have no information about the invariant distributions of the process. In the case of a two-phase flow for which a suitable p.d.e. theory has been developed we also observe that the limit profiles are entropy solutions of the corresponding scalar conservation law with a discontinuous speed function.

math.PR↗
arXiv2009

Scaling exponent for the Hopf-Cole solution of KPZ/Stochastic Burgers

We consider the stochastic heat equation $\partial_tZ= \partial_x^2 Z - Z \dot W$ on the real line, where $\dot W$ is space-time white noise. $h(t,x)=-\log Z(t,x)$ is interpreted as a solution of the KPZ equation, and $u(t,x)=\partial_x h(t,x)$ as a solution of the stochastic Burgers equation. We take $Z(0,x)=\exp\{B(x)\}$ where $B(x)$ is a two-sided Brownian motion, corresponding to the stationary solution of the stochastic Burgers equation. We show that there exist $0< c_1\le c_2 <\infty$ such that $c_1t^{2/3}\le \Var (\log Z(t,x))\le c_2 t^{2/3}.$ Analogous results are obtained for some moments of the correlation functions of $u(t,x)$. In particular, it is shown that the excess diffusivity satisfies $c_1t^{1/3}\le D(t) \le c_2 t^{1/3}.$ The proof uses approximation by weakly asymmetric simple exclusion processes, for which we obtain the microscopic analogies of the results by coupling.

math.PR↗
arXiv2008

Fluctuation bounds for the asymmetric simple exclusion process

We give a partly new proof of the fluctuation bounds for the second class particle and current in the stationary asymmetric simple exclusion process. One novelty is a coupling that preserves the ordering of second class particles in two systems that are themselves ordered coordinatewise.

math.PR↗
arXiv2008

Almost sure functional central limit theorem for ballistic random walk in random environment

We consider a multidimensional random walk in a product random environment with bounded steps, transience in some spatial direction, and high enough moments on the regeneration time. We prove an invariance principle, or functional central limit theorem, under almost every environment for the diffusively scaled centered walk. The main point behind the invariance principle is that the quenched mean of the walk behaves subdiffusively.

math.PR↗
arXiv2007

A convexity property of expectations under exponential weights

Take a random variable X with some finite exponential moments. Define an exponentially weighted expectation by E^t(f) = E(e^{tX}f)/E(e^{tX}) for admissible values of the parameter t. Denote the weighted expectation of X itself by r(t) = E^t(X), with inverse function t(r). We prove that for a convex function f the expectation E^{t(r)}(f) is a convex function of the parameter r. Along the way we develop correlation inequalities for convex functions. Motivation for this result comes from equilibrium investigations of some stochastic interacting systems with stationary product distributions. In particular, convexity of the hydrodynamic flux function follows in some cases.

math.PR↗
arXiv2007

Directed random growth models on the plane

This is a brief survey of laws of large numbers, fluctuation results and large deviation principles for asymmetric interacting particle systems that represent moving interfaces on the plane. We discuss the exclusion process, the Hammersley process and the related last-passage growth models.

math.PR↗
arXiv2007

Almost sure functional central limit theorem for non-nestling random walk in random environment

We consider a non-nestling random walk in a product random environment. We assume an exponential moment for the step of the walk, uniformly in the environment. We prove an invariance principle (functional central limit theorem) under almost every environment for the centered and diffusively scaled walk. The main point behind the invariance principle is that the quenched mean of the walk behaves subdiffusively.

math.PR↗
arXiv2007

Exact connections between current fluctuations and the second class particle in a class of deposition models

We consider a large class of nearest neighbor attractive stochastic interacting systems that includes the asymmetric simple exclusion, zero range, bricklayers' and the symmetric K-exclusion processes. We provide exact formulas that connect particle flux (or surface growth) fluctuations to the two-point function of the process and to the motion of the second class particle. Such connections have only been available for simple exclusion where they were of great use in particle current fluctuation investigations.

math.PR↗
arXiv2006

The random average process and random walk in a space-time random environment in one dimension

We study space-time fluctuations around a characteristic line for a one-dimensional interacting system known as the random average process. The state of this system is a real-valued function on the integers. New values of the function are created by averaging previous values with random weights. The fluctuations analyzed occur on the scale n^{1/4} where n is the ratio of macroscopic and microscopic scales in the system. The limits of the fluctuations are described by a family of Gaussian processes. In cases of known product-form equilibria, this limit is a two-parameter process whose time marginals are fractional Brownian motions with Hurst parameter 1/4. Along the way we study the limits of quenched mean processes for a random walk in a space-time random environment. These limits also happen at scale n^{1/4} and are described by certain Gaussian processes that we identify. In particular, when we look at a backward quenched mean process, the limit process is the solution of a stochastic heat equation.

math.PR↗
arXiv2006

Cube root fluctuations for the corner growth model associated to the exclusion process

We study the last-passage growth model on the planar integer lattice with exponential weights. With boundary conditions that represent the equilibrium exclusion process as seen from a particle right after its jump we prove that the variance of the last-passage time in a characteristic direction is of order t^{2/3}. With more general boundary conditions that include the rarefaction fan case we show that the last-passage time fluctuations are still of order t^{1/3}, and also that the transversal fluctuations of the maximal path have order t^{2/3}. We adapt and then build on a recent study of Hammersley's process by Cator and Groeneboom, and also utilize the competition interface introduced by Ferrari, Martin and Pimentel. The arguments are entirely probabilistic, and no use is made of the combinatorics of Young tableaux or methods of asymptotic analysis.

math.PR↗
arXiv2005

Second-order fluctuations and current across characteristic for a one-dimensional growth model of independent random walks

Fluctuations from a hydrodynamic limit of a one-dimensional asymmetric system come at two levels. On the central limit scale n^{1/2} one sees initial fluctuations transported along characteristics and no dynamical noise. The second order of fluctuations comes from the particle current across the characteristic. For a system made up of independent random walks we show that the second-order fluctuations appear at scale n^{1/4} and converge to a certain self-similar Gaussian process. If the system is in equilibrium, this limiting process specializes to fractional Brownian motion with Hurst parameter 1/4. This contrasts with asymmetric exclusion and Hammersley's process whose second-order fluctuations appear at scale n^{1/3}, as has been discovered through related combinatorial growth models.

math.PR↗
arXiv2003

Behavior dominated by slow particles in a disordered asymmetric exclusion process

We study the large space and time scale behavior of a totally asymmetric, nearest-neighbor exclusion process in one dimension with random jump rates attached to the particles. When slow particles are sufficiently rare the system has a phase transition. At low densities there are no equilibrium distributions, and on the hydrodynamic scale the initial profile is transported rigidly. We elaborate this situation further by finding the correct order of the correction from the hydrodynamic limit, together with distributional bounds averaged over the disorder. We consider two settings, a macroscopically constant low density profile and the outflow from a large jam.

math.PR↗
arXiv2002

An upper bound on the fluctuations of a second class particle

This note proves an upper bound for the fluctuations of a second-class particle in the totally asymmetric simple exclusion process. The proof needs a lower tail estimate for the last-passage growth model associated with the exclusion process. A stronger estimate has been proved for the corresponding discrete time model, so we take the needed estimate as a hypothesis. The process is initially in local equilibrium with a slowly varying macroscopic profile. The macroscopic initial profile is smooth in a neighborhood of the origin where the second-class particle starts off, and the forward characteristic from the origin is not a shock. Given these assumptions, the result is that the typical fluctuation of the second-class particle is not of larger order than n^{2/3}(log n)^{1/3}, where n is the ratio of the macroscopic and microscopic space scales. The conjectured correct order should be n^{2/3}. Landim et al. have proved a lower bound of order n^{5/8} for more general asymmetric exclusion processes in equilibrium. Fluctuations in the case of shocks and rarefaction fans are covered by earlier results of Ferrari-Fontes and Ferrari-Kipnis.

math.PR↗
arXiv2001

Transience of second-class particles and diffusive bounds for additive functionals in one-dimensional asymmetric exclusion processes

Consider a one-dimensional exclusion process with finite-range translation-invariant jump rates with non-zero drift. Let the process be stationary with product Bernoulli invariant distribution at density ρ. Place a second class particle initially at the origin. For the case ρdifferent from 1/2 we show that the time spent by the second class particle at the origin has finite expectation. This strong transience is then used to prove that variances of additive functionals of local mean-zero functions are diffusive when ρis not 1/2. As a corollary to previous work, we deduce the invariance principle for these functionals. The main arguments are comparisons of H_{-1} norms, a large deviation estimate for second-class particles, and a relation between occupation times of second-class particles and additive functional variances.

math.PR↗