Sub-diffusion and localization in the one dimensional trap model

Phys. Rev. E 67, 026128 (2003) We study a one dimensional generalization of the exponential trap model using both numerical simulations and analytical approximations. We obtain the asymptotic shape of the average diffusion front in the sub-diffusive phase. Our central result concerns the localization properties. We find the dynamical participation ratios to be finite, but different from their equilibrium counterparts. Therefore, the idea of a partial equilibrium within the limited region of space explored by the walk is not exact, even for long times where each site is visited a very large number of times. We discuss the physical origin of this discrepancy, and characterize the full distribution of dynamical weights. We also study two different two-time correlation functions, which exhibit different aging properties: one is `sub-aging' whereas the other one shows `full aging'; therefore two diverging time scales appear in this model. We give intuitive arguments and simple analytical approximations that account for these differences, and obtain new predictions for the asymptotic (short time and long time) behaviour of the scaling functions. Finally, we discuss the issue of multiple time scalings in this model.