# Can we say a Markov Chain with only isolated states is time reversible?

By "isolated", I mean that each state of this Markov Chain has 0 probability to move to another state, i.e. transition probability $p_{ij} = 0$ for $i \ne j$. Thus, there isn't a unique stationary distribution.

But by definition, since for any stationary distribution $\pi$, we have

$$\pi_{i}p_{ij} = 0 = \pi_{j}p_{ji}$$

seems that we can still call this Markov Chain time reversible.

Is the concept "time reversible" still make sense in this situation?

A bit background, I was asked to find a Markov Chain, with certain restrictions, that is NOT time reversible. But I found if the stationary distribution exist, the chain is always reversible. So I guess that my be chance is that a chain who doesn't have unique stationary distribution. Maybe in this situation we can't call the chain reversible.

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I am confused about one point. Are you defining a single isolated state i.e., $p_{ij}=0$ for exactly one $i$ with $i \ne j$ or is it that $p_{ij}=0$ for every $i \ne j$? If the latter, you really do not have a markov chain anymore as the states do not change at all. –  tards Nov 21 '11 at 6:11
That depends on the precise definition of Markov chain. As far as I can see, it's still one chain, just one with special transition probability. –  ablmf Nov 21 '11 at 15:03

This Markov chain is reversible --- you've shown it yourself by showing that the detailed balance equation holds.

You can show that the detailed balance condition is equivalent to:

1. $p_{ij}>0\Rightarrow p_{ji}>0$
2. For every cycle $i_0,i_1,\dots,i_n,i_0$ in the set of states, the probability of 'going' in the cycle $i_0\rightarrow i_0$ is equal for clockwise and anticlockwise orientations.

Thus, you could say that your Markov chain is vacuously reversible as there are no cycles.

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