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Statistical Error Due to Finite Time Averaging in Computer Experiments
Phys. Rev. 182, 280 – Published 5 June, 1969
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.182.280
Abstract
In using a computer experiment to calculate the time correlation function of some dynamical variable, the ensemble average over an equilibrium distribution in phase space often is replaced by a time average over a finite interval . It is shown here that the statistical uncertainty due to this kind of average is of the order of . The coefficient of the square root is related to a characteristic relaxation time of the correlation function. If only time averaging is performed, the resulting statistical uncertainty in typical computer experiments may be of the order of 20%.
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