The average avalanche size in the Manna Model and other models of self-organised criticality

Abstract

The average avalanche size can be calculated exactly in a number of models of self-organised criticality (SOC). While the calculation is straight-forward in one dimension, it is more involved in higher dimensions and further complicated by the presence of different boundary conditions and different forms of external driving. Amplitudes of the leading order are determined analytically and evaluated to obtain analytical references for numerical work. A subtle link exists between the procedure to calculate the average avalanche size and the field theory of SOC.

7 pages SVJour style, one figure, one table of amplitudes; Revision: added references and clarifications