Slow dynamics and ergodicity in the one-dimensional self-gravitating system

Abstract: We revisit the dynamics of the one-dimensional self-gravitating sheets models. We show that homogeneous and non-homogeneous states have different ergodic properties. The former is non-ergodic and the one-particle distribution function has a zero collision term if a proper limit is taken for the periodic boundary conditions. Non-homogeneous states are ergodic in a time window of the order of the relaxation time to equilibrium, as similarly observe in other systems with a long range interaction. For the sheets model this relaxation time is much larger than other systems with long range interactions if compared to the initial violent relaxation time.