Cutoff for the mean-field zero-range process with bounded monotone rates

Abstract

We consider the zero-range process with arbitrary bounded monotone rates on the complete graph, in the regime where the number of sites diverges while the density of particles per site converges. We determine the asymptotics of the mixing time from any initial configuration, and establish the cutoff phenomenon. The intuitive picture is that the system separates into a slowly evolving solid phase and a quickly relaxing liquid phase: as time passes, the solid phase dissolves into the liquid phase, and the mixing time is essentially the time at which the system becomes completely liquid. Our proof uses the path coupling technique of Bubley and Dyer, and the analysis of a suitable hydrodynamic limit. To the best of our knowledge, even the order of magnitude of the mixing time was unknown, except in the special case of constant rates.