Survival probabilities in time-dependent random walks.

Abstract

We analyze the dynamics of random walks in which the jumping probabilities are periodic time-dependent functions. In particular, we determine the survival probability of biased walkers who are drifted towards an absorbing boundary. The typical lifetime of the walkers is found to decrease with an increment in the oscillation amplitude of the jumping probabilities. We discuss the applicability of the results in the context of complex adaptive systems.