Fractional transport equations for Lévy stable processes.
The influence functional method of Feynman and Vernon is used to obtain a quantum master equation for a system subjected to a Lévy stable random force. The corresponding classical transport equations for the Wigner function are then derived, both in the limits of weak and strong friction. These are fractional extensions of the Klein-Kramers and the Smoluchowski equations. It is shown that the fractional character acquired by the position in the Smoluchowski equation follows from the fractional character of the momentum in the Klein-Kramers equation. Connections among fractional transport equations recently proposed are clarified.
Lutz
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Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Postfach 103980, 69029 Heidelberg, Germany.