Trapping reactions in a field

C.A. CONDAT; G.J. SIBONA

Recent Research Developments in Statistical Physics

Transworld Research Network

Año: 2000; p. 61 - 75

The properties of a system of noninteracting mobile particles diffusing under the action of a field in the presence of traps are reviewed. Results are presented, in the single-trap approximation, for the probability distribution for the first trap neighbor and for the reaction rates. Perfect and imperfect traps are considered in the one, two and three-dimensional cases. The question of the existence of a steady state for trapping in two dimensions in the presence of a field is discussed in detail. The theory is used to derive two new results, related to the kinetic of diffusion-controlled droplet growth and of wetting layer growth. The survival probability, the displacement moments, and the first passage time are then analyzed for the case of a random distribution of perfect traps ion one dimension. Asymptotic results for the survival probability in higher dimensions are also discussed.