q-Deformed Loewner Evolution

The Loewner equation, in its stochastic incarnation introduced by Schramm, is an insightful method for the description of critical random curves and interfaces in two-dimensional statistical mechanics. Two features are crucial, namely conformal invariance and a conformal version of the Markov property. Extensions of the equation have been explored in various directions, in order to expand the reach of such a powerful method. We propose a new generalization based on q-calculus, a concept rooted in quantum geometry and non-extensive thermodynamics; the main motivation is the explicit breaking of the Markov property, while retaining scale invariance in the stochastic version. We focus on the deterministic equation and give some exact solutions; the formalism naturally gives rise to multiple mutually-intersecting curves. A general method of simulation is constructed—which can be easily extended to other q-deformed equations—and is applied to both the deterministic and the stochastic realms. The way the q≠1 picture converges to the classical one is explored as well.