Search

In this second part of our survey on the social and natural distributions, we investigate some models, which intend to explain the statistical regularity of the natural and social distributions. There is a large variety of models and in their majority, they look for a power law, at least in the tail, although there are several real distributions which are not described by a power law. Among the power law models, we discuss a) the two basic models and their variants: the random multiplicative model and the preferential attachment model; b) models based on the BoseEinstein statistics; c) geographical, economical, and criticality models. We present also some models, which do not intend to explain a power law, and among them lognormal-like distributions, exponential and stretched exponential distributions. The interesting findings of this survey are that there are few models giving a power law for the complete distribution and that among them, the Zipf exponent 1 is rare.

This paper presents an extensive survey of regular distributions in natural and social sciences. The survey includes studies from a wide scope of academic disciplines, in order to create an inventory of the different mathematical functions used to describe the distributions. The goal of the study was to determine, whether a unique function can be used to describe all the distributions (universality) or a particular function is best suited to describe the distributions in each specific field of research (domain universality). We propose a classification of distributions into eighth different categories, based on three representations: the Zipf representation, the cumulative density function (CDF) and the probability density function (PDF). In the 89 cases included in the survey, neither universality nor domain universality was found. In particular, based on the results of the survey, the claim that "power law provides a good description for majority of distributions" may be rejected. Only one third of the distributions in our survey are associated with power laws, while another third is well described by lognormal and similar functions (Dagum, Weibull, loglogistic and Gamma functions). We suggest that correct characterization of a distribution relies on two conditions. First, it is important to include the full range of the available data to avoid distortion due to arbitrary cut off values. Second, it is advisable to display the data in all three representations: the Zipf representation, the CDF and the PDF.

This article deals with non-adiabatic processes (i.e. processes excluded by the adiabatic theorem) from the geometrical (group-theoretical) point of view. An approximated formula for the probabilities of the non-adiabatic transitions is derived in the adiabatic regime for the case when the parameter-dependent Hamiltonian represents a smooth curve in the Lie algebra and the quantal dynamics is determined by the corresponding Lie group evolution operator. We treat the spin precession in a time-dependent magnetic field and the over-barrier reflection problem in a uniform way using the first-order dynamical equations on SU(2) and $SU(1.1)$ group manifolds correspondingly. A comparison with analytic solutions for simple solvable models is provided., Comment: 15 pages, 2 figures

The problem of spin precession in a time-dependent magnetic field is considered in the adiabatic approximation where the field direction or the angular velocity of its rotation is changing slowly. The precession angles are given by integrals in a way similar to the semi-classical approximation for the Schr\"{o}dinger equation., Comment: LaTeX, 6 pges, no figures, submitted to Comptes rendus Acad. Sci.Paris

Free quantal motion on group manifolds is considered. The Hamiltonian is given by the Laplace -- Beltrami operator on the group manifold, and the purpose is to get the (Feynman's) evolution kernel. The spectral expansion, which produced a series of the representation characters for the evolution kernel in the compact case, does not exist for non-compact group, where the spectrum is not bounded. In this work real analytical groups are investigated, some of which are of interest for physics. An integral representation for the evolution operator is obtained in terms of the Green function, i.e. the solution to the Helmholz equation on the group manifold. The alternative series expressions for the evolution operator are reconstructed from the same integral representation, the spectral expansion (when exists) and the sum over classical paths. For non-compact groups, the latter can be interpreted as the (exact) semi-classical approximation, like in the compact case. The explicit form of the evolution operator is obtained for a number of non-compact groups., Comment: 32 pages, 5 postscript figures, LaTex

Asymptotic time evolution of a wave packet describing a non-relativistic particle incident on a potential barrier is considered, using the Wigner phase-space distribution. The distortion of the trasmitted wave packet is determined by two time-like parameters, given by the energy derivative of the complex transmission amplitude. The result is consistent with various definitions of the tunneling time (e.g. the B\"{u}ttiker-Landauer time, the complex time and Wigner's phase time). The speed-up effect and the negative dispersion are discussed, and new experimental implications are considered., Comment: 7 pages, LATEX, no figures

Time dependence for barrier penetration is considered in the phase space. An asymptotic phase-space propagator for nonrelativistic scattering on a one - dimensional barrier is constructed. The propagator has a form universal for various initial state preparations and local potential barriers. It is manifestly causal and includes time-lag effects and quantum spreading. Specific features of quantum dynamics which disappear in the standard semi-classical approximation are revealed. The propagator may be applied to calculation of the final momentum and coordinate distributions, for particles transmitted through or reflected from the potential barrier, as well as for elucidating the tunneling time problem., Comment: 18 pages, LATEX, no figures

One-dimensional quantum scattering from a local potential barrier is considered. Analytical properties of the scattering amplitudes have been investigated by means of the integral equations equivalent to the Schrodinger equations. The transition and reflection amplitudes are expressed in terms of two complex functions of the incident energy, which are similar to the Jost function in the partial-wave scattering. These functions are entire for finite-range potentials and meromorphic for exponentially decreasing potentials. The analytical properties result from locality of the potential in the wave equation and represent the effect of causality in time dependence of the scattering process., Comment: 15 pages, LATEX, no figures

In 1974, Berezin proposed a quantum theory for dynamical systems having a K\"{a}hler manifold as their phase space. The system states were represented by holomorphic functions on the manifold. For any homogeneous K\"{a}hler manifold, the Lie algebra of its group of motions may be represented either by holomorphic differential operators (``quantum theory"), or by functions on the manifold with Poisson brackets, generated by the K\"{a}hler structure (``classical theory"). The K\"{a}hler potentials and the corresponding Lie algebras are constructed now explicitly for all unitary representations of any compact simple Lie group. The quantum dynamics can be represented in terms of a phase-space path integral, and the action principle appears in the semi-classical approximation., Comment: 28 pages

The Berezin quantization on a simply connected homogeneous K\"{a}hler manifold, which is considered as a phase space for a dynamical system, enables a description of the quantal system in a (finite-dimensional) Hilbert space of holomorphic functions corresponding to generalized coherent states. The Lie algebra associated with the manifold symmetry group is given in terms of first-order differential operators. In the classical theory, the Lie algebra is represented by the momentum maps which are functions on the manifold, and the Lie product is the Poisson bracket given by the K\"{a}hler structure. The K\"{a}hler potentials are constructed for the manifolds related to all compact semi-simple Lie groups. The complex coordinates are introduced by means of the Borel method. The K\"{a}hler structure is obtained explicitly for any unitary group representation. The cocycle functions for the Lie algebra and the Killing vector fields on the manifold are also obtained.