arXiv subjects

David C. Brydges

Publications and source records attributed to David C. Brydges.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2021

The continuous-time lace expansion

We derive a continuous-time lace expansion for a broad class of self-interacting continuous-time random walks. Our expansion applies when the self-interaction is a sufficiently nice function of the local time of a continuous-time random walk. As a special case we obtain a continuous-time lace expansion for a class of spin systems that admit continuous-time random walk representations. We apply our lace expansion to the $n$-component $g|φ|^4$ model on $\mathbb{Z}^{d}$ when $n=1,2$, and prove that the critical Green's function $G_{ν_{c}}(x)$ is asymptotically a multiple of $|x|^{2-d}$ when $d\geq 5$ at weak coupling. As another application of our method we establish the analogous result for the lattice Edwards model at weak coupling.

math.PR↗

arXiv2019

Introduction to a renormalisation group method

This book provides an introduction to a renormalisation group method in the spirit of that of Wilson. It starts with a concise overview of the theory of critical phenomena and the introduction of several tools required in the renormalisation group approach, including Gaussian integration and finite range decomposition. The bulk of the book consists of an analysis of the 4-dimensional hierarchical $|φ|^4$ model. This includes definition of the renormalisation group map, perturbation theory, development of a general family of norms that we use to analysis the renormalisation group map, and of a stability analysis of the dynamical system that the renormalisation group map defines. The analysis of the hierarchical $|φ|^4$ model is presented in a pedagodical way and set up in such that the extension to the more complicated Euclidean nearest-neighbour setting is very much parallel. This extension is outlined in an appendix with precise pointers to the literature where it is carried out in detail. Finally, we provide a short introduction to supersymmetry and the supersymmetric representation of self-avoiding walks. The renormalisation group method can be extended to this supersymmetric setting and has been used to study the 4-dimensional weakly self-avoiding walk.

math-ph↗

arXiv2016

Renormalisation group analysis of 4D spin models and self-avoiding walk

We give an overview of results on critical phenomena in 4 dimensions, obtained recently using a rigorous renormalisation group method. In particular, for the $n$-component $|φ|^4$ spin model in dimension 4, with small coupling constant, we prove that the susceptibility diverges with a logarithmic correction to the mean-field behaviour with exponent $(n+2)/(n+8)$. This result extends rigorously to $n=0$, interpreted as a supersymmetric version of the model that represents exactly the continuous-time weakly self-avoiding walk. We also analyse the critical two-point function of the weakly self-avoiding walk, the specific heat and pressure of the $|φ|^4$ model, as well as scaling limits of the spin field close to the critical point.

math-ph↗

arXiv2014

Logarithmic correction for the susceptibility of the 4-dimensional weakly self-avoiding walk: a renormalisation group analysis

We prove that the susceptibility of the continuous-time weakly self-avoiding walk on $\mathbb{Z}^d$, in the critical dimension $d=4$, has a logarithmic correction to mean-field scaling behaviour as the critical point is approached, with exponent 1/4 for the logarithm. The susceptibility has been well understood previously for dimensions $d \geq 5$ using the lace expansion, but the lace expansion does not apply when $d=4$. The proof begins by rewriting the walk two-point function as the two-point function of a supersymmetric field theory. The field theory is then analysed via a rigorous renormalisation group method developed in a companion series of papers. By providing a setting where the methods of the companion papers are applied together, the proof also serves as an example of how to assemble the various ingredients of the general renormalisation group method in a coordinated manner.

math-ph↗

arXiv2014

Critical two-point function of the 4-dimensional weakly self-avoiding walk

We prove $|x|^{-2}$ decay of the critical two-point function for the continuous-time weakly self-avoiding walk on $\mathbb{Z}^d$, in the upper critical dimension $d=4$. This is a statement that the critical exponent $η$ exists and is equal to zero. Results of this nature have been proved previously for dimensions $d \geq 5$ using the lace expansion, but the lace expansion does not apply when $d=4$. The proof is based on a rigorous renormalisation group analysis of an exact representation of the continuous-time weakly self-avoiding walk as a supersymmetric field theory. Much of the analysis applies more widely and has been carried out in a previous paper, where an asymptotic formula for the susceptibility is obtained. Here, we show how observables can be incorporated into the analysis to obtain a pointwise asymptotic formula for the critical two-point function. This involves perturbative calculations similar to those familiar in the physics literature, but with error terms controlled rigorously.

math-ph↗

arXiv2014

A renormalisation group method. I. Gaussian integration and normed algebras

This paper is the first in a series devoted to the development of a rigorous renormalisation group method for lattice field theories involving boson fields, fermion fields, or both. Our immediate motivation is a specific model, involving both boson and fermion fields, which arises as a representation of the continuous-time weakly self-avoiding walk. In this paper, we define normed algebras suitable for a renormalisation group analysis, and develop methods for performing analysis on these algebras. We also develop the theory of Gaussian integration on these normed algebras, and prove estimates for Gaussian integrals. The concepts and results developed here provide a foundation for the continuation of the method presented in subsequent papers in the series.

math-ph↗

arXiv2014

A renormalisation group method. II. Approximation by local polynomials

This paper is the second in a series devoted to the development of a rigorous renormalisation group method for lattice field theories involving boson fields, fermion fields, or both. The method is set within a normed algebra $\mathcal{N}$ of functionals of the fields. In this paper, we develop a general method---localisation---to approximate an element of $\mathcal{N}$ by a local polynomial in the fields. From the point of view of the renormalisation group, the construction of the local polynomial corresponding to $F$ in $\mathcal{N}$ amounts to the extraction of the relevant and marginal parts of $F$. We prove estimates relating $F$ and its corresponding local polynomial, in terms of the $T_ϕ$ semi-norm introduced in part I of the series.

math-ph↗

arXiv2014

A renormalisation group method. III. Perturbative analysis

This paper is the third in a series devoted to the development of a rigorous renormalisation group method for lattice field theories involving boson fields, fermion fields, or both. In this paper, we motivate and present a general approach towards second-order perturbative renormalisation, and apply it to a specific supersymmetric field theory which represents the continuous-time weakly self-avoiding walk on $\mathbb{Z}^d$. Our focus is on the critical dimension $d=4$. The results include the derivation of the perturbative flow of the coupling constants, with accompanying estimates on the coefficients in the flow. These are essential results for subsequent application to the 4-dimensional weakly self-avoiding walk, including a proof of existence of logarithmic corrections to their critical scaling. With minor modifications, our results also apply to the 4-dimensional $n$-component $|φ|^4$ spin model.

math-ph↗

arXiv2014

A renormalisation group method. IV. Stability analysis

This paper is the fourth in a series devoted to the development of a rigorous renormalisation group method for lattice field theories involving boson fields, fermion fields, or both. The third paper in the series presents a perturbative analysis of a supersymmetric field theory which represents the continuous-time weakly self-avoiding walk on $\mathbb{Z}^d$. We now present an analysis of the relevant interaction functional of the supersymmetric field theory, which permits a nonperturbative analysis to be carried out in the critical dimension $d = 4$. The results in this paper include: proof of stability of the interaction, estimates which enable control of Gaussian expectations involving both boson and fermion fields, estimates which bound the errors in the perturbative analysis, and a crucial contraction estimate to handle irrelevant directions in the flow of the renormalisation group. These results are essential for the analysis of the general renormalisation group step in the fifth paper in the series.

math-ph↗

arXiv2014

A renormalisation group method. V. A single renormalisation group step

This paper is the fifth in a series devoted to the development of a rigorous renormalisation group method applicable to lattice field theories containing boson and/or fermion fields, and comprises the core of the method. In the renormalisation group method, increasingly large scales are studied in a progressive manner, with an interaction parametrised by a field polynomial which evolves with the scale under the renormalisation group map. In our context, the progressive analysis is performed via a finite-range covariance decomposition. Perturbative calculations are used to track the flow of the coupling constants of the evolving polynomial, but on their own perturbative calculations are insufficient to control error terms and to obtain mathematically rigorous results. In this paper, we define an additional non-perturbative coordinate, which together with the flow of coupling constants defines the complete evolution of the renormalisation group map. We specify conditions under which the non-perturbative coordinate is contractive under a single renormalisation group step. Our framework is essentially combinatorial, but its implementation relies on analytic results developed earlier in the series of papers. The results of this paper are applied elsewhere to analyse the critical behaviour of the 4-dimensional continuous-time weakly self-avoiding walk and of the 4-dimensional $n$-component $|φ|^4$ model. In particular, the existence of a logarithmic correction to mean-field scaling for the susceptibility can be proved for both models, together with other facts about critical exponents and critical behaviour.

math-ph↗

arXiv2014

Structural stability of a dynamical system near a non-hyperbolic fixed point

We prove structural stability under perturbations for a class of discrete-time dynamical systems near a non-hyperbolic fixed point. We reformulate the stability problem in terms of the well-posedness of an infinite-dimensional nonlinear ordinary differential equation in a Banach space of carefully weighted sequences. Using this, we prove existence and regularity of flows of the dynamical system which obey mixed initial and final boundary conditions. The class of dynamical systems we study, and the boundary conditions we impose, arise in a renormalisation group analysis of the 4-dimensional weakly self-avoiding walk and the 4-dimensional n-component $|φ|^4$ spin model.

math.DS↗

arXiv2014

Scaling limits and critical behaviour of the 4-dimensional n-component $|φ|^4$ spin model

We consider the $n$-component $|φ|^4$ spin model on $\mathbb{Z}^4$, for all $n \geq 1$, with small coupling constant. We prove that the susceptibility has a logarithmic correction to mean field scaling, with exponent $\frac{n+2}{n+8}$ for the logarithm. We also analyse the asymptotic behaviour of the pressure as the critical point is approached, and prove that the specific heat has fractional logarithmic scaling for $n =1,2,3$; double logarithmic scaling for $n=4$; and is bounded when $n>4$. In addition, for the model defined on the $4$-dimensional discrete torus, we prove that the scaling limit as the critical point is approached is a multiple of a Gaussian free field on the continuum torus, whereas, in the subcritical regime, the scaling limit is Gaussian white noise with intensity given by the susceptibility. The proofs are based on a rigorous renormalisation group method in the spirit of Wilson, developed in a companion series of papers to study the 4-dimensional weakly self-avoiding walk, and adapted here to the $|φ|^4$ model.

math-ph↗

arXiv2011

On the Convergence to the Continuum of Finite Range Lattice Covariances

In J. Stat. Phys. 115, 415-449 (2004) Brydges, Guadagni and Mitter proved the existence of multiscale expansions of a class of lattice Green's functions as sums of positive definite finite range functions (called fluctuation covariances). The lattice Green's functions in the class considered are integral kernels of inverses of second order positive self adjoint operators with constant coefficients and fractional powers thereof. The fluctuation coefficients satisfy uniform bounds and the sequence converges in appropriate norms to a smooth, positive definite, finite range continuum function. In this note we prove that the convergence is actually exponentially fast.

math-ph↗

arXiv2011

The strong interaction limit of continuous-time weakly self-avoiding walk

The strong interaction limit of the discrete-time weakly self-avoiding walk (or Domb--Joyce model) is trivially seen to be the usual strictly self-avoiding walk. For the continuous-time weakly self-avoiding walk, the situation is more delicate, and is clarified in this paper. The strong interaction limit in the continuous-time setting depends on how the fugacity is scaled, and in one extreme leads to the strictly self-avoiding walk, in another to simple random walk. These two extremes are interpolated by a new model of a self-repelling walk that we call the "quick step" model. We study the limit both for walks taking a fixed number of steps, and for the two-point function.

math.PR↗

arXiv2009

Functional integral representations for self-avoiding walk

We give a survey and unified treatment of functional integral representations for both simple random walk and some self-avoiding walk models, including models with strict self-avoidance, with weak self-avoidance, and a model of walks and loops. Our representation for the strictly self-avoiding walk is new. The representations have recently been used as the point of departure for rigorous renormalization group analyses of self-avoiding walk models in dimension 4. For the models without loops, the integral representations involve fermions, and we also provide an introduction to fermionic integrals. The fermionic integrals are in terms of anti-commuting Grassmann variables, which can be conveniently interpreted as differential forms.

math.PR↗

arXiv2003

Finite range Decomposition of Gaussian Processes

Let $\D$ be the finite difference Laplacian associated to the lattice $\bZ^{d}$. For dimension $d\ge 3$, $a\ge 0$ and $L$ a sufficiently large positive dyadic integer, we prove that the integral kernel of the resolvent $G^{a}:=(a-\D)^{-1}$ can be decomposed as an infinite sum of positive semi-definite functions $ V_{n} $ of finite range, $ V_{n} (x-y) = 0$ for $|x-y|\ge O(L)^{n}$. Equivalently, the Gaussian process on the lattice with covariance $G^{a}$ admits a decomposition into independent Gaussian processes with finite range covariances. For $a=0$, $ V_{n} $ has a limiting scaling form $L^{-n(d-2)}Γ_{c,\ast}{\bigl (\frac{x-y}{L^{n}}\bigr)}$ as $n\to \infty$. As a corollary, such decompositions also exist for fractional powers $(-\D)^{-α/2}$, $0<α\leq 2$. The results of this paper give an alternative to the block spin renormalization group on the lattice.

math-ph↗

arXiv2002

End-to-end Distance from the Green's Function for a Hierarchical Self-Avoiding Walk in Four Dimensions

In [BEI] we introduced a Levy process on a hierarchical lattice which is four dimensional, in the sense that the Green's function for the process equals 1/x^2. If the process is modified so as to be weakly self-repelling, it was shown that at the critical killing rate (mass-squared) β^c, the Green's function behaves like the free one. - Now we analyze the end-to-end distance of the model and show that its expected value grows as a constant times \sqrt{T} log^{1/8}T (1+O((log log T)/log T)), which is the same law as has been conjectured for self-avoiding walks on the simple cubic lattice Z^4. The proof uses inverse Laplace transforms to obtain the end-to-end distance from the Green's function, and requires detailed properties of the Green's function throughout a sector of the complex βplane. These estimates are derived in a companion paper [math-ph/0205028].

math-ph↗

arXiv2002

Dimensional Reduction Formulas for Branched Polymer Correlation Functions

In [math-ph/0107005] we have proven that the generating function for self-avoiding branched polymers in D+2 continuum dimensions is proportional to the pressure of the hard-core continuum gas at negative activity in D dimensions. This result explains why the critical behavior of branched polymers should be the same as that of the $i ϕ^3$ (or Yang-Lee edge) field theory in two fewer dimensions (as proposed by Parisi and Sourlas in 1981). - In this article we review and generalize the results of [math-ph/0107005]. We show that the generating functions for several branched polymers are proportional to correlation functions of the hard-core gas. We derive Ward identities for certain branched polymer correlations. We give reduction formulae for multi-species branched polymers and the corresponding repulsive gases. Finally, we derive the massive scaling limit for the 2-point function of the one-dimensional hard-core gas, and thereby obtain the scaling form of the 2-point function for branched polymers in three dimensions.

math-ph↗