Dynamic fluctuations in unfrustrated systems: random walks, scalar fields and the Kosterlitz–Thouless phase

Abstract

We study analytically the distribution of fluctuations of the quantities whose average yields the usual two-point correlation and linear response functions in three unfrustrated models: the random walk, the d dimensional scalar field and the 2d XY model. In particular we consider the time dependence of ratios between composite operators formed with these fluctuating quantities which generalize the largely studied fluctuation-dissipation ratio, allowing us to discuss the relevance of the notion of effective temperature beyond linear order. The behavior of fluctuations in the aforementioned solvable cases is compared to numerical simulations of the 2d clock model with p = 6,12 states.