par Boon, Jean-Pierre 
Référence Journal of statistical physics, 102, 1-2, page (355-360)
Publication Publié, 2001-01
Référence Journal of statistical physics, 102, 1-2, page (355-360)
Publication Publié, 2001-01
Article révisé par les pairs
| Résumé : | The automaton known as "Langton's ant" exhibits a propagation phase where the particle dynamics (the ant) produces a regular periodic pattern (called "highway"). Despite the simplicity of its basic algorithm, Langton's ant has remained a puzzle in terms of analytical description. Here I show that propagation dynamics obeys a general difference equation for a class of automata which includes 1-D, 2-D triangular and square lattice models. In the case of Langton's ant, the speed of the ant in the highway (c = √/2/52) follows exactly from the equation. |
