Symmetric $(q,\alpha )$-Stable Distributions. Part I: First Representation

Abstract

The classic central limit theorem and $\alpha$-stable distributions play a key role in probability theory, and also in Boltzmann-Gibbs (BG) statistical mechanics. They both concern the paradigmatic case of probabilistic independence of the random variables that are being summed. A generalization of the BG theory, usually referred to as nonextensive statistical mechanics and characterized by the index $q$ ($q=1$ recovers the BG theory), introduces special (long range) correlations between the random variables, and recovers independence for $q=1$. Recently, a $q$-central limit theorem consistent with nonextensive statistical mechanics was established \cite{UmarovTsallisSteinberg} which generalizes the classic Central Limit Theorem. In the present paper we introduce and study symmetric $(q,\alpha )$-stable distributions. The case $q=1$ recovers the Lévy $\alpha$-stable distributions.

17 pages including 3 figures