Large fluctuations and extreme events in driven stochastic many-particle systems

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Gunter Markus Schütz
• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2008 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 64243026

Among the most fundamental challenges in the study of non-equilibrium systems is the characterization of the probability distribution. Even in a stationary ensemble there is no known general principle of an importance similar to the free energy in thermal equilibrium. However, due to recent significant advancements in the study of large deviations in driven diffusive systems there is reasonable hope for progress in this fundamental problem for this paradigmatic class of interacting many-body systems. In this project we shall study large deviation functions and closely connected extreme-value properties of exactly solvable model systems. We explore novel universal statistical properties and investigate the space-time patterns underlying extreme events. Together with Krug we investigate records in related growth processes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants