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Watersheds are Schramm-Loewner Evolution curves

Authors :
Daryaei, E.
Araujo, N. A. M.
Schrenk, K. J.
Rouhani, S.
Herrmann, H. J.
Source :
Physical Review Letters 109, 218701 (2012)
Publication Year :
2012

Abstract

We show that in the continuum limit watersheds dividing drainage basins are Schramm-Loewner Evolution (SLE) curves, being described by one single parameter $\kappa$. Several numerical evaluations are applied to ascertain this. All calculations are consistent with SLE$_\kappa$, with $\kappa=1.734\pm0.005$, being the only known physical example of an SLE with $\kappa<2$. This lies outside the well-known duality conjecture, bringing up new questions regarding the existence and reversibility of dual models. Furthermore it constitutes a strong indication for conformal invariance in random landscapes and suggests that watersheds likely correspond to a logarithmic Conformal Field Theory (CFT) with central charge $c\approx-7/2$.<br />Comment: 5 pages and 4 figures

Details

Database :
arXiv
Journal :
Physical Review Letters 109, 218701 (2012)
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsarx.1206.3159
Document Type :
Working Paper
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.218701