Potential kernel, hitting probabilities and distributional asymptotics

Abstract

Z^d-extensions of probability-preserving dynamical systems are themselves dynamical systems preserving an infinite measure, and generalize random walks. Using the method of moments, we prove a generalized central limit theorem for additive functionals of the extension of integral zero, under spectral assumptions. As a corollary, we get the fact that Green-Kubo's formula is invariant under induction. This allows us to relate the hitting probability of sites with the symmetrized potential kernel, giving an alternative proof and generalizing a theorem of Spitzer. Finally, this relation is used to improve in turn the asumptions of the generalized central limit theorem. Applications to Lorentz gases in finite horizon and to the geodesic flow on abelian covers of compact manifolds of negative curvature are discussed.