This book, "Random Walks on Infinite Graphs and Groups" by Wolfgang Woess, provides a comprehensive overview of the theory of random walks on graphs and groups. It begins by introducing the concept of a simple random walk on the integers and its generalization to finitely generated groups. The book discusses the recurrence and transience of random walks, with Pólya's result that simple random walks on integer lattices are recurrent in one or two dimensions and transient in three or more. It also explores the decay of return probabilities, with Kesten's result that the probability decays exponentially if and only if the group is non-amenable.
The book covers the asymptotic behavior of return probabilities, including results by Varopoulos on the growth of group elements and the classification of random walks on discrete subgroups of Lie groups. It discusses the existence and behavior of harmonic functions and boundary theories, highlighting open problems related to the Liouville properties of random walks on groups.
The text is well-documented and informative, providing detailed proofs of many results and treating random walks on graphs as a general theory. It includes specific examples of recurrent graphs and discusses the spectral radius of walks. The book also touches on connections to other areas of mathematics, such as volume growth, isoperimetry, and geometric group theory.
Woess's book is an excellent resource for both beginners and specialists in the field, offering a thorough treatment of random walks on graphs and groups. It is highly recommended for those interested in the subject.This book, "Random Walks on Infinite Graphs and Groups" by Wolfgang Woess, provides a comprehensive overview of the theory of random walks on graphs and groups. It begins by introducing the concept of a simple random walk on the integers and its generalization to finitely generated groups. The book discusses the recurrence and transience of random walks, with Pólya's result that simple random walks on integer lattices are recurrent in one or two dimensions and transient in three or more. It also explores the decay of return probabilities, with Kesten's result that the probability decays exponentially if and only if the group is non-amenable.
The book covers the asymptotic behavior of return probabilities, including results by Varopoulos on the growth of group elements and the classification of random walks on discrete subgroups of Lie groups. It discusses the existence and behavior of harmonic functions and boundary theories, highlighting open problems related to the Liouville properties of random walks on groups.
The text is well-documented and informative, providing detailed proofs of many results and treating random walks on graphs as a general theory. It includes specific examples of recurrent graphs and discusses the spectral radius of walks. The book also touches on connections to other areas of mathematics, such as volume growth, isoperimetry, and geometric group theory.
Woess's book is an excellent resource for both beginners and specialists in the field, offering a thorough treatment of random walks on graphs and groups. It is highly recommended for those interested in the subject.