Universal power laws in two-dimensional diffusive search for randomly distributed targets

We consider a two-dimensional diffusional search of randomly distributed targets characterized by their density and size. We derive analytical expressions for the binding rates averaged over ensembles of randomly distributed targets and initial positions of the searcher and test them through direct...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Rawan M. Nowier, Nilaj Chakrabarty, Peter Jung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2025-01-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L012005
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1841554303539478528
author Rawan M. Nowier
Nilaj Chakrabarty
Peter Jung
author_facet Rawan M. Nowier
Nilaj Chakrabarty
Peter Jung
author_sort Rawan M. Nowier
collection DOAJ
description We consider a two-dimensional diffusional search of randomly distributed targets characterized by their density and size. We derive analytical expressions for the binding rates averaged over ensembles of randomly distributed targets and initial positions of the searcher and test them through direct numerical simulations. These results suggest that the binding rates follow power laws over a wide range of target densities, with an exponent of about 1.1 for low densities and an exponent of 3/2 for larger densities. The transition between the two power laws depends on the size of the targets and searchers. We further predict linear dependence of the binding rate on the size of searchers and targets for small target densities.
format Article
id doaj-art-16c70001e6be4f5c8127fa9afaa62b7a
institution Kabale University
issn 2643-1564
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher American Physical Society
record_format Article
series Physical Review Research
spelling doaj-art-16c70001e6be4f5c8127fa9afaa62b7a2025-01-08T15:03:18ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642025-01-0171L01200510.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L012005Universal power laws in two-dimensional diffusive search for randomly distributed targetsRawan M. NowierNilaj ChakrabartyPeter JungWe consider a two-dimensional diffusional search of randomly distributed targets characterized by their density and size. We derive analytical expressions for the binding rates averaged over ensembles of randomly distributed targets and initial positions of the searcher and test them through direct numerical simulations. These results suggest that the binding rates follow power laws over a wide range of target densities, with an exponent of about 1.1 for low densities and an exponent of 3/2 for larger densities. The transition between the two power laws depends on the size of the targets and searchers. We further predict linear dependence of the binding rate on the size of searchers and targets for small target densities.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L012005
spellingShingle Rawan M. Nowier
Nilaj Chakrabarty
Peter Jung
Universal power laws in two-dimensional diffusive search for randomly distributed targets
Physical Review Research
title Universal power laws in two-dimensional diffusive search for randomly distributed targets
title_full Universal power laws in two-dimensional diffusive search for randomly distributed targets
title_fullStr Universal power laws in two-dimensional diffusive search for randomly distributed targets
title_full_unstemmed Universal power laws in two-dimensional diffusive search for randomly distributed targets
title_short Universal power laws in two-dimensional diffusive search for randomly distributed targets
title_sort universal power laws in two dimensional diffusive search for randomly distributed targets
url http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L012005
work_keys_str_mv AT rawanmnowier universalpowerlawsintwodimensionaldiffusivesearchforrandomlydistributedtargets
AT nilajchakrabarty universalpowerlawsintwodimensionaldiffusivesearchforrandomlydistributedtargets
AT peterjung universalpowerlawsintwodimensionaldiffusivesearchforrandomlydistributedtargets