Abstract
Particles labelled 1, …, n are initially arranged in increasing order. Subsequently, each pair of neighboring particles that is currently in increasing order swaps according to a Poisson process of rate 1. We analyze the asymptotic behavior of this process as n→∞. We prove that the space–time trajectories of individual particles converge (when suitably scaled) to a certain family of random curves with two points of non-differentiability, and that the permutation matrix at a given time converges to a certain deterministic measure with absolutely continuous and singular parts. The absorbing state (where all particles are in decreasing order) is reached at time (2+o(1))n. The finishing times of individual particles converge to deterministic limits, with fluctuations asymptotically governed by the Tracy–Widom distribution.
Citation
Omer Angel. Alexander Holroyd. Dan Romik. "The oriented swap process." Ann. Probab. 37 (5) 1970 - 1998, September 2009. https://doi.org/10.1214/09-AOP456
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