Dr. Nick Laskin nicklaskin.ca
Theoretical Physics & Stochastic Finance

Beyond the
Diffusion Limit

Exploring the pioneering theoretical models of Dr. Nick Laskin, founder of Fractional Quantum Mechanics (FQM) and inventor of the Fractional Poisson Process (FPP).

$$-D_\alpha (\hbar \nabla)^\alpha \psi(x) + V(x) \psi(x) = E \psi(x)$$
levy_flight_3d.json
Econophysics Breakthrough

The Volatility Smile:
Why Black-Scholes is Make-Believe

The celebrated Black-Scholes-Merton model assumes that market prices follow continuous, continuous diffusion (Brownian motion) with **constant volatility** ($\sigma$).

Under this idealized math, option implied volatility across different strike prices should be completely flat. Yet, empirical market data reveals a pronounced "Volatility Smile"—strikes deep in-the-money or out-of-the-money trade at significantly higher implied volatilities.

This smile is proof that Black-Scholes is a mathematical fiction. In the real world, asset prices do not slide smoothly; they jump, cluster, and carry **memory**.

Dr. Laskin's **Geometric Shot Noise (GSN)** and fractional stochastic models resolve this contradiction. By replacing continuous Brownian walks with jump processes that incorporate **long-range memory**, these models naturally recover the volatility smile. Jumps are not isolated anomalies—they are correlated events with memory, reflecting how markets cluster information and price real-world risks.

In Plain English: Traditional finance models assume markets move smoothly and forget the past. Dr. Laskin's models prove that markets actually experience sudden "jumps" (shocks) and have a "memory" of past events. This explains why standard models fail to predict real-world risk, and provides a mathematically sound framework for pricing options accurately.
stochastic_comparison.py

Black-Scholes (Memoryless)

$$dS_t = r S_t dt + \sigma S_t dW_t$$

Continuous, smooth paths. Volatility is assumed constant. Zero memory of past shocks.

Laskin GSN (Jumps & Memory)

$$\sigma^2(t) = \lambda \int_{-\infty}^{t} \eta^2(t-\tau) dN_\tau$$

Discontinuous jumps with fractional waiting times. Past events cluster and decay slowly over time.

Academic Journey & Affiliations

Dr. Laskin's research footprints span across top-tier global institutions, bridging rigorous Ukrainian theoretical physics with advanced North American engineering labs.

1980s

Kharkiv Institute of Physics & Technology

Research Scientist | Ukraine

Collaborated with physics legends A.I. Akhiezer and S.V. Peletminskii. Focused on quark-gluon plasma instabilities, dense neutron matter magnetohydrodynamics, and predicted coherent Bremsstrahlung suppression in oriented crystals.

1999+

University of Toronto

Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering | Canada

Founded Fractional Quantum Mechanics (FQM), generalizing Feynman path integrals over Brownian paths to Lévy flight trajectories. Discovered the Fractional Schrödinger Equation.

2003+

Carleton University

Department of Systems & Computer Engineering | Canada

Invented the Fractional Poisson Process (FPP), introducing Mittag-Leffler waiting times to resolve Markovian limits in complex network and queueing models.

2010s

NYU / CUNY Graduate Center

Visiting Scholar | New York, USA

Applied fractional dynamics and Lévy flights to financial engineering, analyzing log-moneyness, the volatility smile, and econophysics modeling.

Present

TopQuark Inc.

Director of Quantum & Financial Research | Canada

Publishing monographs, developing the Disorder Engineering Module for MOCVD semiconductor growth, and finalizing the Inverse Design Simulation API.

Correcting the Flaws of Modern Portfolio Theory

Four pillars of research that generalize classical equations. While the underlying mathematics are rigorous, the business application is simple: replacing flawed "smooth" assumptions with models that capture the messy, jumping reality of complex systems.

Fractional Quantum Mechanics

Replaces Brownian paths ($d_w = 2.0$) in Feynman path integrals with Lévy flights ($1.0 < \alpha \le 2.0$), introducing the Riesz fractional derivative operator to model quantum dynamics in fractal space.

$$E = D_\alpha |p|^\alpha$$

Fractional Poisson Process

Generalizes counting statistics by replacing the first-order time derivative in Kolmogorov-Feller equations with a fractional order $\mu$, giving rise to Mittag-Leffler waiting times.

$$P_\mu(n, t) = \frac{(\nu t^\mu)^n}{n!} \sum_{k=0}^\infty \frac{(k+n)!}{k!} \frac{(-\nu t^\mu)^k}{\Gamma(\mu(k+n)+1)}$$

QED & Bremsstrahlung

Predicted the suppression of coherent Bremsstrahlung for relativistic particles moving through oriented crystals. Confirmed experimentally at the CERN NA-43 experiment.

$$\text{CERN NA-43 Verified}$$

GSN Option Pricing

Proposed the Geometric Shot Noise (GSN) model to capture market info shocks. Resolves the volatility smile as a natural by-product of shot-noise jump dynamics, defining the "New Greeks" for jump risks.

$$\sigma^2 = \lambda \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \eta^2 p(\eta) d\eta$$

Visualize the Non-Linear: Interactive Simulation Labs

Experience the power of fractional dynamics firsthand. Adjust the sliders to see how real-world memory and jumps alter classical models in real time—from optimizing semiconductor yields to revealing the hidden geometry of financial markets.

Model Parameters

Solve the transcendental equations for InGaN/GaN wells. Adjust the Lévy Index $\alpha$ to model impurity-induced disorder (Brownian limit is $\alpha = 2.0$).

🎯 LED Inverse Design

Target a transition emission wavelength:

nm (Blue LED: ~450nm)
Click run to solve.

Stochastic Parameters

Simulate event counts $N(t)$ driven by Mittag-Leffler waiting times. Notice the "bursty" behavior and long flat gaps (memory trapping) as $\mu$ decreases below 1.0.

GSN Calibration

Calibrate the Geometric Shot Noise process. Increase jump frequency or magnitude to see the volatility skew/smile emerge from the underlying shot-noise shocks.

Foundational Texts in Fractional Quantum Mechanics

Dr. Laskin's published monographs establish FQM and FPP as recognized academic sub-disciplines, bridging theoretical physics with real-world applications. These defining works compile decades of research into comprehensive guides for academics and industry professionals alike.

FQM Monograph Background
Published Monograph (2018)

Fractional Quantum Mechanics

World Scientific Publishing

The definitive text on FQM. Covers paths integrals over Lévy flights, fractional uncertainty relations, analytically solvable wells, fractional Bohr atoms, and time-fractional non-Markovian dynamics.

FPP Book Background
Forthcoming Monograph

Fractional Poisson Process

World Scientific Publishing

The first dedicated book on FPP. Systematically details the Kolmogorov-Feller fractional equations, renewal theory, inverse stable subordinators, and direct Mittag-Leffler probability design, with multi-disciplinary applications.

TopQuark Inc.

Commercial Semiconductor Simulation Partnerships

Disorder Engineering Module

We propose a 12-month joint development cycle to commercialize our Fractional Schrödinger Solver kernel and deploy the **Inverse Design API** for direct MOCVD growth controller coupling. By mapping doping profiles to the Lévy Index $\alpha$, fabs can achieve real-time yield optimization for high-performance InGaN blue LEDs.

GaN/InGaN Compatible Plugs directly into existing MOCVD thickness & doping growth recipes.
Yield Optimization Real-time adjustments for random atomic-level impurity structures.