Algebraic decay in hierarchical graphs (Q1850906)

The paper studies the decay properties of an open one-dimensional hierarchical graph whose survival probability turns out to decay algebraically, as opposed to decaying exponentially. In this context, a graph forms a collection of bonds on which a classical particle performs a uniform one-dimensional motion. The bonds are interconnected by vertices where adjacent bonds meet. At the vertices, the particle undergoes a conservative collision which may result in a velocity of different direction. This collision is determined by a random process where the outputs are assigned fixed transition probabilities in terms of the inputs. A hierarchical graph is a graph where the lengths of the bonds and the transition probabilities obey certain scaling laws. The specific model under study is based on a one-dimensional Lorentz gas with a continuous time process. The scattering probabilities change according to the index of the scatterer. In analogy to persistent randow walks, this model is referred to a persistent hierarchical graph. In such a system, the evolution operator for the phase space densities is of Perron-Frobenius type whose spectral decomposion can be expressed in terms of the Pollicott-Ruelle resonances. The Pollicott-Ruelle resonance spectrum is located in the lower open half-plane. Section 2 discusses general properties of classical and quantum graphs and introduces the concept of persistent hierarchical graph. Section 3 provides an expression for the survival probability in terms of the spectral decomposition of the Perron-Frobenius type evolution operator. Section 4 presents the calculation of the spectrum of the persistent hierarchical graph, and Section 5 is concerned with the free energy. Finally, Section 6 turns to the quantum description of persistent hierarchical graphs and analyzes the spectrum of scattering resonances.