The non-equilibrium response of the critical Ising model: Universal scaling properties and local scale invariance

Motivated by recent numerical findings of Henkel et al (2006 J.Phys.A:Math.Gen.39L589) we re-examine via Monte Carlo simulations the linear response function of the two-dimensional Ising model with Glauber dynamics quenched to the critical point. At variance with the results of Henkel et al, we detect discrepancies between the actual scaling behavior of the response function and the prediction of local scale invariance. Such differences are clearly visible in the impulse autoresponse function, whereas they are drastically reduced in the integrated response functions. Accordingly, the scaling form predicted on the basis of local scale invariance simply provides an accurate fitting form for some quantities but cannot be considered to be exact. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.