The fundamental matrix for a certain random walk

Abstract

Consider the random walk {Sn} whose summands have the distributionP(X=0) = 1-(2/π), andP(X= ±n) = 2/[π(4n2−1)], forn≥ 1. This random walk arises when a simple random walk in the integer plane is observed only at those instants at which the two coordinates are equal. We derive the fundamental matrix, or Green function, for the process on the integral [0,N] = {0,1,…,N}, and from this, an explicit formula for the mean timexkfor the random walk starting fromS0=kto exit the interval. The explicit formula yields the limiting behavior ofxkasN→ ∞ withkfixed. For the random walk starting from zero, the probability of exiting the interval on the right is obtained. By lettingN→ ∞ in the fundamental matrix, the Green function on the interval [0,∞) is found, and a simple and explicit formula for the probability distribution of the point of entry into the interval (−∞,0) for the random walk starting fromk= 0 results. The distributions for some related random variables are also discovered.Applications to stress concentration calculations in discrete lattices are briefly reviewed.