Potentials of a Markov process are expected suprema
ESAIM: Probability and Statistics, Volume 11 (2007), pp. 89-101.

Expected suprema of a function $f$ observed along the paths of a nice Markov process define an excessive function, and in fact a potential if $f$ vanishes at the boundary. Conversely, we show under mild regularity conditions that any potential admits a representation in terms of expected suprema. Moreover, we identify the maximal and the minimal representing function in terms of probabilistic potential theory. Our results are motivated by the work of El Karoui and Meziou (2006) on the max-plus decomposition of supermartingales, and they provide a singular analogue to the non-linear Riesz representation in El Karoui and Föllmer (2005).

DOI: 10.1051/ps:2007008
Classification: 31C05,  60J25,  60J45
Keywords: Markov processes, potentials, optimal stopping, max-plus decomposition
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Föllmer, Hans; Knispel, Thomas. Potentials of a Markov process are expected suprema. ESAIM: Probability and Statistics, Volume 11 (2007), pp. 89-101. doi : 10.1051/ps:2007008. http://www.numdam.org/articles/10.1051/ps:2007008/

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