Markov Processes, Semigroups and Generators

Markov processes represent a universal model for a large variety of real life random evolutions. The wide flow of new ideas, tools, methods and applications constantly pours into the ever-growing stream of research on Markov processes that rapidly spreads over new fields of natural and social sciences, creating new streamlined logical paths to its turbulent boundary. Even if a given process is not Markov, it can be often inserted into a larger Markov one (Markovianization procedure) by including the key historic parameters into the state space.

This monograph gives a concise, but systematic and self-contained, exposition of the essentials of Markov processes, together with recent achievements, working from the "physical picture" - a formal pre-generator, and stressing the interplay between probabilistic (stochastic differential equations) and analytic (semigroups) tools.

The book will be useful to students and researchers. Part I can be used for a one-semester course on Brownian motion, Lévy and Markov processes, or on probabilistic methods for PDE. Part II mainly contains the author's research on Markov processes.

From the contents:

• Tools from Probability and Analysis
• Brownian motion
• Markov processes and martingales
• SDE, ψDE and martingale problems
• Processes in Euclidean spaces
• Processes in domains with a boundary
• Heat kernels for stable-like processes
• Continuous-time random walks and fractional dynamics
• Complex chains and Feynman integral

• Offers a first part on basic concepts of probability theory
• Then builds on that by conveying material on generators for stable-like processes and Levy processes
• A third part offers various applications
• Easy to follow presentation
• With examples and exercises, so useable as secondary reading for courses

Vassili N. Kolokoltsov, University of Warwick, UK.