Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Age-dependent Dynamics of Locomotion in Caenorhabditis elegans: A Lyapunov Exponent Analysis
Published on: September 23, 2025
Fluctuations around equilibrium laws in ergodic continuous-time random walks.
Johannes H P Schulz1, Eli Barkai1
1Department of Physics, Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel.
Occupation time statistics in random walks reveal dual scaling laws near nonergodic phases. Consistent interpretation of infinite and Lévy-stable densities resolves unphysical divergences in fluctuation analysis.
Area of Science:
- Statistical Mechanics
- Complex Systems
Background:
- Ergodic continuous-time random walks (CTRWs) are fundamental models in statistical physics.
- Understanding occupation time statistics is crucial for characterizing system dynamics and equilibrium properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate occupation time statistics in CTRWs, particularly near the nonergodic phase.
- To analyze the nature and interplay of finite-time fluctuations around the mean occupation time.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of occupation time statistics in ergodic CTRWs under thermal detailed balance.
- Examination of fluctuation distributions and scaling laws in the vicinity of the nonergodic phase.
Main Results:
- The average occupation time follows the Boltzmann-Gibbs canonical law in equilibrium.
- Close to the nonergodic phase, fluctuations exhibit dual time scaling and distribution laws: infinite density for large fluctuations and Lévy-stable density for bulk fluctuations.
- Unphysical divergences in these densities are resolved by consistent interpretation of both laws.
Conclusions:
- Canonical equilibrium laws govern not only mean occupation times but also the densities of fluctuations.
- The duality of stable and infinite densities is a ubiquitous feature of these dynamics for general physical observables.
Related Concept Videos
Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
The relation between entropy and disorder can be illustrated with the example of the phase change of ice to water. In ice, the molecules are located at specific sites giving a solid state, whereas, in a liquid form, these molecules are much freer to move. The molecular arrangement has therefore become more randomized. Although the change in average...
Entropy Change in Reversible Processes
The statement can be further generalized to prove that entropy is a state function. Take a cyclic process between any two points on a p-V diagram.
Second Law of Thermodynamics
Second Law of Thermodynamics
Oscillations about an Equilibrium Position

