Localization of the maximal entropy random walk

Phys Rev Lett. 2009 Apr 24;102(16):160602. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.160602. Epub 2009 Apr 23.

Abstract

We define a new class of random walk processes which maximize entropy. This maximal entropy random walk is equivalent to generic random walk if it takes place on a regular lattice, but it is not if the underlying lattice is irregular. In particular, we consider a lattice with weak dilution. We show that the stationary probability of finding a particle performing maximal entropy random walk localizes in the largest nearly spherical region of the lattice which is free of defects. This localization phenomenon, which is purely classical in nature, is explained in terms of the Lifshitz states of a certain random operator.