Finite-Size Effects for the Potts Model with Weak Boundary Conditions

Using the Pirogov–Sinai theory, we study finite-size effects for the ferromagnetic q-state Potts model in a cube with boundary conditions that interpolate between free and constant boundary conditions. If the surface coupling is about half of the bulk coupling and q is sufficiently large, we show that only small perturbations of the ordered and disordered ground states are dominant contributions to the partition function in a finite but large volume. This allows a rigorous control of the finite-size effects for these weak boundary conditions. In particular, we give explicit formulæ for the rounding of the infinite-volume jumps of the internal energy and magnetization, as well as the position of the maximum of the finite-volume specific heat. While the width of the rounding window is of order L ^–d , the same as for periodic boundary conditions, the shift is much larger, of order L ^–1. For strong boundary conditions—the surface coupling is either close to zero or close to the bulk coupling—the finite size effects at the transition point are shown to be dominated by either the disordered or the ordered phase, respectively. In particular, it means that sufficiently small boundary fields lead to the disordered, and not to the ordered Gibbs state. This gives an explicit proof of A. van Enter's result that the phase transition in the Potts model is not robust.