Transition-rate theory for nongradient drift fields
- 28 December 1992
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review Letters
- Vol. 69 (26) , 3691-3695
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.69.3691
Abstract
Classical transition-rate theory provides analytic techniques for computing the asymptotics of a weakly perturbed particle’s mean residence time in the basin of attraction of a metastable state. If the dynamics of the particle are derivable from a potential, it typically escapes over a saddle point. In the nonpotential case exit may take place over an unstable point instead, leading to unexpected phenomena. These may include an anomalous pre-exponential factor, with a continuously varying exponent, in the residence time asymptotics. Moreover, the most probable escape trajectories may eventually deviate from the least-action escape path.Keywords
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