Non-equilibrium transitions in multiscale systems with a bifurcating slow manifold. (25th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grafke, Tobias; Vanden-Eijnden, Eric
• Is Part Of: Journal of statistical mechanics. (2017:Sep.)
• Publication Date: 2017-09-25
• Subjects: 4 -- 12 -- 16; Statistical mechanics -- Periodicals; Mechanics -- Statistical methods -- Periodicals; 530.1305
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-5468/aa85cb
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-5468

Abstract

Abstract: Noise-induced transitions between metastable fixed points in systems evolving on multiple time scales are analyzed in situations where the time scale separation gives rise to a slow manifold with bifurcation. This analysis is performed within the realm of large deviation theory. It is shown that these non-equilibrium transitions make use of a reaction channel created by the bifurcation structure of the slow manifold, leading to vastly increased transition rates. Several examples are used to illustrate these findings, including an insect outbreak model, a system modeling phase separation in the presence of evaporation, and a system modeling transitions in active matter self-assembly. The last example involves a spatially extended system modeled by a stochastic partial differential equation.