Scaling Limits for Ising Models on Inhomogeneous Random Graphs and Applications

Abstract

In this paper, we derive quenched scaling limits for linear functionals and the empirical spin field of Ising models on inhomogeneous random graphs generated by a graphon (encompassing both dense and sparse graphs), in the high-temperature regime. We first prove a joint central limit theorem (CLT) for finite collections of linear statistics of the spin configurations, where the limiting covariance is characterized by the resolvent of the associated graphon integral operator. Building on this result, we establish functional CLTs for the average magnetization and for the spin field indexed by suitable classes of regular test functions. We further prove convergence of the full empirical spin field, viewed as a random generalized function in negative Sobolev spaces. These scaling limits provide applications to both Bayesian neural networks and causal inference. Specifically, for the former, we derive infinite-width Gaussian-process limits for two-layer Bayesian neural networks with Ising-dependent output-layer signs, while for the latter, we establish the asymptotic normality of Hájek estimators for average treatment effects under network interference.