Mutual linearity in semi-Markov networks

Abstract

Despite their microscopic complexity, stochastic networks show a surprising degree of universal, parameter-independent properties. One example is mutual linearity, which has recently been characterized as a generic, pairwise-linear relation between observables of Markov processes under local perturbations, valid for both stationary dynamics and for transient dynamics in Laplace space. Here we show that mutual linearity arises if a certain global affine relation is satisfied. This allows us to demonstrate that mutual linearity also holds for a broad class of local perturbations in semi-Markov networks, which, unlike Markov networks, have memory in terms of the dwell time in the current state. However, exceptions exist, meaning that mutual linearity does not extend to all possible perturbations of semi-Markov networks. Strikingly, this restriction disappears for first-passage times. Thus, semi-Markov networks exhibit a fundamental asymmetry between occupation and first-passage statistics, different from Markov networks. Finally, we show that our results are directly applicable to stochastic resetting in semi-Markov networks, where the Laplace-space relations acquire a physical interpretation in terms of stationary occupations and the probability to reach a target before reset. This provides a natural setting in which the predicted affine relations can be probed.