Title
Phase transition and computational complexity in a stochastic prime number generator
Abstract
We introduce a prime number generator in the form of a stochastic algorithm. The character of this algorithm gives rise to a continuous phase transition which distinguishes a phase where the algorithm is able to reduce the whole system of numbers into primes and a phase where the system reaches a frozen state with low prime density. In this paper, we firstly present a broader characterization of this phase transition, both in analytical and numerical terms. Critical exponents are calculated, and data collapse is provided. Further on, we redefine the model as a search problem, fitting it in the hallmark of computational complexity theory. We suggest that the system belongs to the class NP. The computational cost is maximal around the threshold, as is common in many algorithmic phase transitions, revealing the presence of an easy-hard-easy pattern. We finally relate the nature of the phase transition to an average-case classification of the problem.
Year
DOI
Venue
2007
10.1088/1367-2630/10/2/023009
NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
Keywords
DocType
Volume
phase transition,prime number,computational complexity,critical exponent
Journal
10
Issue
ISSN
Citations 
2
1367-2630
0
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.34
1
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Lucas Lacasa1166.12
Bartolome Luque2275.21
Octavio Miramontes3122.87