Correlation effects in the trapping problem: general approach and rigorous results

The problem of Brownian survival among randomly located traps is considered with emphasis on the role of trap correlations. We proceed from the general representation of the survival probability as the expected value of the emptiness probability function applied to the Wiener sausage. Using the definition of (pure) trap attraction vs. repulsion in terms of the emptiness probability function, we prove the physical conjecture about the trapping slowdown or acceleration, according to the “sign” of correlations. Two specific models are studied along this line, in which the emptiness probability can be found explicitly; in particular, the long-time survival asymptotics is derived. A remarkable correlation effect of the survival probability dependence on the trap size in one dimension is also discussed.