Separation of time-scales and reparametrization invariance for aging systems

Abstract

We show that the generating functional describing the slow dynamics of spin glass systems is invariant under reparametrizations of the time. This result is general and applies for both infinite and short range models. It follows simply from the assumption that a separation between short time-scales and long time-scales exists in the system, and the constraints of causality and unitarity. Global time reparametrization invariance suggests that the low action excitations in a spin glass may be smoothly spatially varying time reparametrizations. These Goldstone modes may provide the basis for an analytic dynamical theory of short range spin glasses.