The relaxation time of a one-dimensional self-gravitating system

A computer experiment on a one-dimensional self-gravitating system is described. We attempt to observe the dynamic time required for this system to thermalize by comparing the position and velocity densities with those predicted by the microcanonical ensemble. Hohl and Broaddus (1967) have previously reported an estimate of the thermalization time which is inferred from studies of the kinetic energy covariance. We ran the system for the time which they report and find that the system has not thermalized. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the system is even proceeding towards equilibrium in the time-scale considered here. Significant changes in the distribution do occur in a short time, after which the system remains in a stationary state which is not characteristic of equilibrium.