Abstract:
The theory of Brownian motion as described by nonlinear Langevin equations and the corresponding Fokker—Planck equations is discussed. The general problems of the theory of nonlinear Brownian motion considered are: Brownian motion in a medium with nonlinear friction; the critical analysis of three forms of the relevant Langevin and Fokker—Planck equations (Ito's form, Stratonovich's form, and the kinetic form); the Smoluchowski equations and master equations for different cases; two methods of transition from master equation to Fokker—Planck equation; master equations for one-step processes; traditional and nontraditional definition of transition probabilities; evolution of free energy and entropy in Brownian motion; Lyapunov functionals. The following particular examples are considered: Brownian motion in self-oscillatory systems; H-theorem for the van der Pol oscillator; S-theorem; oscillator with inertial nonlinearity; bifurcation of energy of the limiting cycle; oscillator with multistable stationary states; oscillators in discrete time; bifurcations of energy of the limiting cycle and the period of oscillations; criterion of instability upon transition to discrete time, based on the H-theorem; Brownian motion of quantum atoms oscillators in the equilibrium electromagnetic field; Brownian motion in chemically reacting systems; partially ionised plasmas; the Malthus—Verhulst process.
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