Algebraic approach to directed stochastic avalanches

TL;DR

This paper analytically studies a two-dimensional directed stochastic sandpile model using directed Abelian algebras, deriving exact probabilities for toppling events and analyzing avalanche dynamics in special cases.

Contribution

It introduces an algebraic framework to exactly analyze directed stochastic avalanches, including special deterministic and trivial stochastic cases.

Findings

Exact probabilities for toppling events derived

Maximum particle current and site occupation numbers determined

Clarified roles of different toppling types in avalanche growth

Abstract

A two-dimensional directed stochastic sandpile model is studied analytically with the use of directed Abelian algebras recently introduced by Alcaraz and V. Rittenberg [Phys. Rev. E {\bf 78}, 041126 (2008)]. Exact expressions for the probabilities of all possible toppling events which follow the transfer of arbitrary number of particles to a site in the stationary configuration are derived. A description of the virtual-time evolution of directed avalanches on two dimensional lattices is suggested. Due to intractability of the general problem, the algebraic approach is applied only to the solution of the special cases of directed deterministic avalanches and trivial stochastic avalanches describing simple random walks of two particles. The study of these cases has clarified the role of each particular kind of toppling in the process of avalanche growth. In the general case of the quadratic directed algebra we have determined exactly the maximum possible values of: (1) the current of particles at any given moment of virtual time and (2) the occupation number (`height') of each site at any moment of time.