On the Wang-Uhlenbeck Problem in Discrete Velocity Space

Abstract

The arguably simplest model for dynamics in phase space is the one where the velocity can jump between only two discrete values, ±v with rate constant k. For this model, which is the continuous-space version of a persistent random walk, analytic expressions are found for the first passage time distributions to the origin. Since the evolution equation of this model can be regarded as the two-state finite-difference approximation in velocity space of the Kramers–Klein equation, this work constitutes a solution of the simplest version of the Wang–Uhlenbeck problem. Formal solution (in Laplace space) of generalizations where the velocity can assume an arbitrary number of discrete states that mimic the Maxwell distribution is also provided.