Random sequential covering

Abstract

Abstract In random sequential covering, identical objects are deposited randomly, irreversibly, and sequentially; only attempts increasing the coverage are accepted. A finite system eventually gets congested, and we study the statistics of congested configurations. For the covering of an interval by dimers, we determine the average number of deposited dimers, compute all higher cumulants, and establish the probabilities of reaching minimally and maximally congested configurations. We also investigate random covering by segments with ℓ sites and sticks. Covering an infinite substrate continues indefinitely, and we analyze the dynamics of random sequential covering of Z and R d .