Lévy dynamics of enhanced diffusion: Application to turbulence

M. F. Shlesinger, B. J. West, and J. Klafter
Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 1100 – Published 16 March 1987
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

We introduce a stochastic process called a Lévy walk which is a random walk with a nonlocal memory coupled in space and in time in a scaling fashion. Lévy walks result in enhanced diffusion, i.e., diffusion that grows as tα,α>1. When applied to the description of a passive scalar diffusing in a fluctuating fluid flow the model generalizes Taylor’s correlated-walk approach. It yields Richardson’s t3 law for the turbulent diffusion of a passive scalar in a Kolmogorov -(5/3) homogeneous turbulent flow and also gives the deviations from the (5/3) exponent resulting from Mandelbrot’s intermittency. The model can be extended to studies of chemical reactions in turbulent flow.

  • Received 17 November 1986

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.58.1100

©1987 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. F. Shlesinger

  • Office of Naval Research, Physics Division, 800 North Quincy Street, Arlington, Virginia 22217

B. J. West

  • Institute for Nonlinear Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093

J. Klafter

  • Corporate Research Science Laboratory, Exxon Research and Engineering Company, Annandale, New Jersey 08801

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 58, Iss. 11 — 16 March 1987

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×