Diffusion-controlled bimolecular reactions: Long- and intermediate-time regimes with imperfect trapping within a Galanin approach

Model of anomalous diffusion-absorption process in a system consisting of two different media separated by a thin membrane

We present the model of a diffusion-absorption process in a system which consists of two media separated by a thin partially permeable membrane. The kind of diffusion as well as the parameters of the process may be different in both media. Based on a simple model of a particle's random walk in a membrane system we derive the Green's functions, then we find the boundary conditions at the membrane. One of the boundary conditions is rather complicated and takes a relatively simple form in terms of the Laplace transform. Assuming that particles diffuse independently of one another, the obtained boundary conditions can be used to solve differential or differential-integral equations describing the processes in multilayered systems for any initial condition. We consider normal diffusion, subdiffusion, and slow subdiffusion processes, and we also suggest how superdiffusion could be included in this model. The presented method provides the functions in terms of the Laplace transform and some useful methods of calculation of the inverse Laplace transform are shown.

Random walks with fractally correlated traps: Stretched exponential and power-law survival kinetics

We consider the survival probability f(t) of a random walk with a constant hopping rate w on a host lattice of fractal dimension d and spectral dimension d_{s}≤2, with spatially correlated traps. The traps form a sublattice with fractal dimension d_{a}<d and are characterized by the absorption rate w_{a} which may be finite (imperfect traps) or infinite (perfect traps). Initial coordinates are chosen randomly at or within a fixed distance of a trap. For weakly absorbing traps (w_{a}≪w), we find that f(t) can be closely approximated by a stretched exponential function over the initial stage of relaxation, with stretching exponent α=1-(d-d_{a})/d_{w}, where d_{w} is the random walk dimension of the host lattice. At the end of this initial stage there occurs a crossover to power-law kinetics f(t)∼t^{-α} with the same exponent α as for the stretched exponential regime. For strong absorption w_{a}≳w, including the limit of perfect traps w_{a}→∞, the stretched exponential regime is absent and the decay of f(t) follows, after a short transient, the aforementioned power law for all times.

Cattaneo-type subdiffusion-reaction equation

Subdiffusion in a system in which mobile particles A can chemically react with static particles B according to the rule A+B→B is considered within a persistent random-walk model. This model, which assumes a correlation between successive steps of particles, provides hyperbolic Cattaneo normal diffusion or fractional subdiffusion equations. Starting with the difference equation, which describes a persistent random walk in a system with chemical reactions, using the generating function method and the continuous-time random-walk formalism, we will derive the Cattaneo-type subdiffusion differential equation with fractional time derivatives in which the chemical reactions mentioned above are taken into account. We will also find its solution over a long time limit. Based on the obtained results, we will find the Cattaneo-type subdiffusion-reaction equation in the case in which mobile particles of species A and B can chemically react according to a more complicated rule.

Subdiffusion-reaction processes with A→B reactions versus subdiffusion-reaction processes with A+B→B reactions

We consider the subdiffusion-reaction process with reactions of a type A+B→B (in which particles A are assumed to be mobile, whereas B are assumed to be static) in comparison to the subdiffusion-reaction process with A→B reactions which was studied by Sokolov, Schmidt, and Sagués [Phys. Rev. E 73, 031102 (2006)]. In both processes a rule that reactions can only occur between particles which continue to exist is taken into account. Although in both processes a probability of the vanishing of particle A due to a reaction is independent of both time and space variables (assuming that in the system with the A+B→B reactions, particles B are distributed homogeneously), we show that subdiffusion-reaction equations describing these processes as well as their Green's functions are qualitatively different. The reason for this difference is as follows. In the case of the former reaction, particles A and B have to meet with some probability before the reaction occurs in contradiction with the case of the latter reaction. For the subdiffusion process with the A+B→B reactions we consider three models which differ in some details concerning a description of the reactions. We base the method considered in this paper on a random walk model in a system with both discrete time and discrete space variables. Then the system with discrete variables is transformed into a system with both continuous time and continuous space variables. Such a method seems to be convenient in analyzing subdiffusion-reaction processes with partially absorbing or partially reflecting walls. The reason is that within this method we can determine Green's functions without a necessity of solving a fractional differential subdiffusion-reaction equation with boundary conditions at the walls. As an example, we use the model to find the Green's functions for a subdiffusive reaction system (with the reactions mentioned above), which is bounded by a partially absorbing wall. This example shows how the model can be used to analyze the subdiffusion-reaction process in a system with partially absorbing or reflecting thin membranes. Employing a simple phenomenological model, we also derive equations related to the reaction parameters used in the considered models.

Analytic solutions for some reaction-diffusion scenarios

Motivated currently by the problem of coalescence of receptor clusters in mast cells in the general subject of immune reactions, and formerly by the investigation of exciton trapping and sensitized luminescence in molecular systems and aggregates, we present analytic expressions for survival probabilities of moving entities undergoing diffusion and reaction on encounter. Results we provide cover several novel situations in simple 1-d systems as well as higher-dimensional counterparts along with a useful compendium of such expressions in chemical physics and allied fields. We also emphasize the importance of the relationship of discrete sink term analysis to continuum boundary condition studies.

Dynamics of the depletion zone at a finite-sized imperfect trap in two dimensions: photobleaching experiments and simulations

The kinetics of the growth of depletion zones around a static trap in an effective two-dimensional geometry were studied experimentally with photobleaching of fluorescein dye by a focused laser beam. The phototrap served as an imperfect trap with a finite size. The growth of the depletion zone was monitored by the theta distance, defined as the distance from the trap to the point where the concentration of the reactants reaches a given arbitrary fraction theta (0<theta<1) of its initial value, which could be directly measured experimentally. At the asymptotic limit, the results confirm the theoretical nonuniversal t(theta/2) scaling behavior for the theta distance. We also find an effect of fast expansion at an early time of the depletion zone inside an imperfect trap. Both the imperfect trapping strength and the finite trap size are found to control the early-time behavior, while the trap shape does not much affect the dynamics of the theta distance. A dimensional crossover was found for a perfect trap with a finite radius, when the theta distance was measured from the trap surface. The actual trapping efficiency was determined for different laser powers of the phototrap. Results are supported by analytical equations, exact enumerations, and Monte Carlo simulations.

Reaction kinetics of diffusing particles injected into a reactive substrate

We analyze the kinetics of trapping (A+B-->B) and annihilation (A+B-->0) processes on a one-dimensional substrate with homogeneous distribution of immobile B particles while the A particles are supplied by a localized source. For the imperfect reaction case, we analyze both problems by means of a stochastic model and compare the results with numerical simulations. In addition, we present the exact analytical results of the stochastic model for the case of perfect trapping.

Trapping reactions for mobile particles and a trap in the laboratory frame

We have used a stochastic model to obtain the exact spatial particle density profile for the trapping process A+B-->B in a one-dimensional lattice with a single trap, as seen from the laboratory frame. We obtain the profile for either perfect or imperfect reactions when A particles are immobile, but only for perfect absorption in the general case where both particles are mobile with different diffusivities. This profile is found to be similar to that seen from the reference system attached to the trap, the most noticeable difference being near the origin.