Tail Asymptotics of Free Path Lengths for the Periodic Lorentz Process: On Dettmann’s Geometric Conjectures

Abstract

In the simplest case, consider a ${\mathbb{Z}^d}$-periodic (d ≥ 3) arrangement of balls of radii < 1/2, and select a random direction and point (outside the balls). According to Dettmann’s first conjecture, the probability that the so determined free flight (until the first hitting of a ball) is larger than t >  > 1 is ${\sim\frac{C}{t}}$, where C is explicitly given by the geometry of the model. In its simplest form, Dettmann’s second conjecture is related to the previous case with tangent balls (of radii 1/2). The conjectures are established in a more general setup: for ${\mathcal{L}}$-periodic configuration of—possibly intersecting—convex bodies with ${\mathcal{L}}$ being a non-degenerate lattice. These questions are related to Pólya’s visibility problem (Arch Math Phys Ser 2:135–142, 1918), to theories of Bourgain et al. (Commun Math Phys 190:491–508,1998), and of Marklof–Strömbergsson (Ann Math 172:1949–2033,2010). The results also provide the asymptotic covariance of the periodic Lorentz process assuming it has a limit in the super-diffusive scaling, a fact if d = 2 and the horizon is infinite.