Transport in finite size systems: An exit time approach.

In the framework of chaotic scattering we analyze passive tracer transport in finite systems. In particular, we study models with open streamlines and a finite number of recirculation zones. In the nontrivial case with a small number of recirculation zones a description by means of asymptotic quantities (such as the eddy diffusivity) is not appropriate. The nonasymptotic properties of dispersion are characterized by means of the exit time statistics, which shows strong sensitivity on initial conditions. This yields a probability distribution function with long tails, making impossible a characterization in terms of a unique typical exit time. (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics.