Localization of the continuum directed random polymer

Abstract: We consider the continuum directed random polymer (CDRP) model that arises as a scaling limit from $1+1$ dimensional directed polymers in the intermediate disorder regime. We show that for a point-to-point polymer of length $t$ and any $p\in (0,1)$, the quenched density of the point on the path which is $pt$ distance away from the origin when centered around its random mode $\mathcal{M}{p,t}$ converges in law to an explicit random density function as $t\to\infty$ without any scaling. Similarly, in the case of point-to-line polymers of length $t$, the quenched density of the endpoint of the path when centered around its random mode $\mathcal{M}{,t}$ converges in law to an explicit random density. The limiting random densities are proportional to $e^{-\mathcal{R}_\sigma(x)}$ where $\mathcal{R}\sigma(x)$ is a two-sided 3D Bessel process with appropriate diffusion coefficient $\sigma$. In addition, the laws of the random modes $\mathcal{M}{,t}$, $\mathcal{M}_{p,t}$ themselves converge in distribution upon $t^{2/3}$ scaling to the maximizer of $\operatorname{Airy}_2$ process minus a parabola and points on the geodesics of the directed landscape respectively. Our localization results stated above provide an affirmative case of the folklore "favorite region" conjecture. Our proof techniques also allow us to prove properties of the KPZ equation such as ergodicity and limiting Bessel behaviors around the maximum.