ISSN:
1572-9613
Keywords:
Survival probability
;
wind shear
;
Taylor diffusion
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract The survival probability of a particle diffusing in the two-dimensional domainx〉0 near a “windy cliff” atx=0 is investigated. The particle dies upon reaching the edge of the cliff. In addition to diffusion, the particle is influenced by a steady “wind shear” with velocityv(x, y)=v sign(y)x, i.e., no average bias either toward or away from the cliff. For this semi-infinite system, the particle survival probability decays with time ast −1/4, compared tot −1/2 in the absence of wind. Scaling descriptions are developed to elucidate this behavior, as well as the survival probability within a semi-infinite strip of finite width |y|〈w with particle absorption atx=0. The behavior in the strip geometry can be described in terms of Taylor diffusion, an approach which accounts for the crossover to the t−1/4 decay when the width of the strip diverges. Supporting numerical simulations of our analytical results are presented.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02179799
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