In Search of H-theorem for Ulam's Redistribution Problem

Abstract

We discuss the possibility of deriving an H-theorem for the nonlinear discrete time evolution known as Ulam's redistribution of energy problem. In this model particles are paired at random and then their total energy is redistributed between them according to some probability law. It appears possible to obtain the proper H-function which always increases during the relaxation only for a special set of redistribution laws, given by symmetric beta distributions. This H-function differs from the usual entropy by an additional term that vanishes only for the uniform redistribution law. But for arbitrary redistribution the evolution has some features of relaxation to a non-equilibrium steady state and the H-function is still unknown.