The diffusive phase of a model of self-interacting walks

Summary We consider simple random walk onZ^d perturbed by a factor exp[T^–PJ_T], whereT is the length of the walk and. Forp=1 and dimensionsd2, we prove that this walk behaves diffusively for all – < <₀, with ₀ > 0. Ford>2 the diffusion constant is equal to 1, but ford=2 it is renormalized. Ford=1 andp=3/2, we prove diffusion for all real (positive or negative). Ford>2 the scaling limit is Brownian motion, but ford2 it is the Edwards model (with the wrong sign of the coupling when >0) which governs the limiting behaviour; the latter arises since for,T^–pJ_T is the discrete self-intersection local time. This establishes existence of a diffusive phase for this model. Existence of a collapsed phase for a very closely related model has been proven in work of Bolthausen and Schmock.