English

Random search with resetting in heterogeneous environments

Statistical Mechanics 2025-01-09 v1 Mathematical Physics math.MP

Abstract

We investigate random searches under stochastic position resetting at rate rr, in a bounded 1D environment with space-dependent diffusivity D(x)D(x). For arbitrary shapes of D(x)D(x) and prescriptions of the associated multiplicative stochastic process, we obtain analytical expressions for the average time TT for reaching the target (mean first-passage time), given the initial and reset positions, in good agreement with stochastic simulations. For arbitrary D(x)D(x), we obtain an exact closed-form expression for TT, within Stratonovich scenario, while for other prescriptions, like It\^o and anti-It\^o, we derive asymptotic approximations for small and large rates rr. Exact results are also obtained for particular forms of D(x)D(x), such as the linear one, with arbitrary prescriptions, allowing to outline and discuss the main effects introduced by diffusive heterogeneity on a random search with resetting. We explore how the effectiveness of resetting varies with different types of heterogeneity.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2408.04726,
  title  = {Random search with resetting in heterogeneous environments},
  author = {Luiz Menon and Celia Anteneodo},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2408.04726},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

10 pages, 7 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-28T18:08:07.793Z