Analytic study of clustering in shaken granular material using zero-range processes

We show that models used to describe granular clustering due to vertical shaking belong to the class of zero-range processes. This correspondence allows us to derive analytically in the large particle number limit in a very easy and straightforward manner a number of properties of the models like particle distribution functions, phase diagram, and characteristic time of clusterization. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.