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Main Author: Tzou, Justin C.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.12084
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author Tzou, Justin C.
author_facet Tzou, Justin C.
contents On the unit square, we introduce a method for accurately computing source-neutral Green's functions of the fractional Laplacian operator with either periodic or homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions. This method involves analytically constructing the singular behavior of the Green's function in a neighborhood around the location of the singularity, and then formulating a ``smooth'' problem for the remainder term. This smooth problem can be solved for numerically using a basic finite difference scheme. This approach allows accurate extraction of the regular part of the Green's function (and its gradient, if so desired). This new tool enables quantification of properties and characteristics of the narrow capture problem, where a particle undergoing a Lévy flight of index $α\in (0,1)$ searches for small target(s) of radius $\mathcal{O}(\varepsilon)$ for $0 < \varepsilon \ll 1$ on a bounded two-dimensional domain. In particular, it allows us to show how boundary interactions and configuration of multiple targets impact expected search time. Furthermore, we are able to illustrate how a target can be ``shielded'' by obstacles, and how a Lévy flight search can be significantly superior in navigating these obstacles versus Brownian motion. All asymptotic predictions are confirmed by full numerical solutions.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_12084
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Green's functions of the fractional Laplacian on a square -- boundary considerations and applications to the Lévy flight narrow capture problem
Tzou, Justin C.
Analysis of PDEs
35C20, , 35J08
On the unit square, we introduce a method for accurately computing source-neutral Green's functions of the fractional Laplacian operator with either periodic or homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions. This method involves analytically constructing the singular behavior of the Green's function in a neighborhood around the location of the singularity, and then formulating a ``smooth'' problem for the remainder term. This smooth problem can be solved for numerically using a basic finite difference scheme. This approach allows accurate extraction of the regular part of the Green's function (and its gradient, if so desired). This new tool enables quantification of properties and characteristics of the narrow capture problem, where a particle undergoing a Lévy flight of index $α\in (0,1)$ searches for small target(s) of radius $\mathcal{O}(\varepsilon)$ for $0 < \varepsilon \ll 1$ on a bounded two-dimensional domain. In particular, it allows us to show how boundary interactions and configuration of multiple targets impact expected search time. Furthermore, we are able to illustrate how a target can be ``shielded'' by obstacles, and how a Lévy flight search can be significantly superior in navigating these obstacles versus Brownian motion. All asymptotic predictions are confirmed by full numerical solutions.
title Green's functions of the fractional Laplacian on a square -- boundary considerations and applications to the Lévy flight narrow capture problem
topic Analysis of PDEs
35C20, , 35J08
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.12084