The short-time critical behaviour of the Ginzburg-Landau model with long-range interaction

The renormalisation group approach is applied to the study of the short-time critical behaviour of the d-dimensional Ginzburg-Landau model with long-range interaction of the form in momentum space. Firstly the system is quenched from a high temperature to the critical temperature and then relaxes to equilibrium within the model A dynamics. The asymptotic scaling laws and the initial slip exponents and of the order parameter and the response function respectively, are calculated to the second order in . Received 9 June 2000 and Received in final form 2 August 2000     

Critical behaviour at the displacive limit of structural phase transitions

For a special critical point at zero temperature,T _c =0, which is called the displacive limit of a classical or of a quantum-mechanical model showing displacive phase transitions, we derive a set of static critical exponents in the large-n limit. Due to zero-point motions and quantum fluctuations at low temperatures, the exponents of the quantum model are different from those of the classical model. Moreover, we report results on scaling functions, corrections to scaling, and logarithmic factors which appear ford=2 in the classical case and ford=3 in the quantum-mechanical case. Zero-point motions cause a decrease of the critical temperature of the quantum model with respect to the classicalT _c , which implies a difference between the classical and the quantum displacive limit. However, finite critical temperatures are found in both cases ford>2, while critical fluctuations still occur atT _c =0 for 0<d≦2 in the classical case and for 1 <d≦2 in the quantum model. Further we derive the slope of the critical curve at the classical displacive limit exactly. The absence of 1/n-corrections to the exponents of the classical model is also discussed.     

Renormalization group treatment of the quantum nonlinear σ-model

The quantum nonlinear -model in (d+1)-dimensional space-time is investigated by a renormalization group approach. The beta-functions for the couplingg and the temperaturet are given. The renormalisation group equations of theN-point functions are derived for finite coupling and finite temperature. It is known that the model shows a phase transition at zero temperature at some critical couplingg _c . The behaviour near this critical point is investigated. The crossover exponent , describing the crossover between different regimes near the critical point is calculated, verifying a conjecture by Chakravarty, Halperin and Nelson, who have argued that ind dimensions should have the same value as the critical exponent of the correlation length in a (d+1)-dimensional classical system. A subtraction scheme appropriate to calculate the renormalisation factors and from these the beta-functions at finite temperature and finite coupling constant will be introduced. Using this method the beta-functions will be calculated to order two loops. The exponents obtained this way are in good agreement with the values found on other ways.     

Relaxational model near the Lifshitz point

The critical dynamics of a relaxational model near the Lifshitz point is studied by the ε expansion. The dynamical exponents z are calculated numerically for the uniaxial (m = 1) and biaxial (m = 2) cases.     

Topological order and conformal quantum critical points

We discuss a certain class of two-dimensional quantum systems which exhibit conventional order and topological order, as well as quantum critical points separating these phases. All of the ground-state equal-time correlators of these theories are equal to correlation functions of a local two-dimensional classical model. The critical points therefore exhibit a time-independent form of conformal invariance. These theories characterize the universality classes of two-dimensional quantum dimer models and of quantum generalizations of the eight-vertex model, as well as and non-abelian gauge theories. The conformal quantum critical points are relatives of the Lifshitz points of three-dimensional anisotropic classical systems such as smectic liquid crystals. In particular, the ground-state wave functional of these quantum Lifshitz points is just the statistical (Gibbs) weight of the ordinary two-dimensional free boson, the two-dimensional Gaussian model. The full phase diagram for the quantum eight-vertex model exhibits quantum critical lines with continuously varying critical exponents separating phases with long-range order from a deconfined topologically ordered liquid phase. We show how similar ideas also apply to a well-known field theory with non-Abelian symmetry, the strong-coupling limit of 2+1-dimensional Yang–Mills gauge theory with a Chern–Simons term. The ground state of this theory is relevant for recent theories of topological quantum computation.     

Field theory of critical behaviour in driven diffusive systems

We present a field theoretic renormalisation group study for the critical behaviour of a diffusive system with a single conserved density subjected to an external driving force. The anisotropies induced by the external field require the introduction of two critical parameters associated with transverse and longitudinal order. The transition to transverse order is governed by a fixed point which is infrared stable below five dimensions. With the help of Ward-Takahashi identities based on Galilei invariance, we derive scaling forms for density correlation functions, critical exponents to all orders in =5–d, and the equation of state, taking care of a dangerous irrelevant composite operator. The transition is continuous and of mean-field type, with anomalous long-wavelength and long-time correlations in the longitudinal direction only. For the transition to longitudinal order, no infrared stable fixed point is found. An analysis of the mean-field equations indicates that the transition is discontinuous.     

Interplay of Quantum and Classical Fluctuations Near Quantum Critical Points

For a system near a quantum critical point (QCP), above its lower critical dimension d _L , there is in general a critical line of second-order phase transitions that separates the broken symmetry phase at finite temperatures from the disordered phase. The phase transitions along this line are governed by thermal critical exponents that are different from those associated with the quantum critical point. We point out that, if the effective dimension of the QCP, d _eff?=?d?+?z (d is the Euclidean dimension of the system and z the dynamic quantum critical exponent) is above its upper critical dimension $d_{_{C}}$ there is an intermingle of classical (thermal) and quantum critical fluctuations near the QCP. This is due to the breakdown of the generalized scaling relation ψ?=?νz between the shift exponent ψ of the critical line and the crossover exponent νz, for $d+z>d_{_{C}}$ by a dangerous irrelevant interaction. This phenomenon has clear experimental consequences, like the suppression of the amplitude of classical critical fluctuations near the line of finite temperature phase transitions as the critical temperature is reduced approaching the QCP.     

Universal low-temperature properties of frustrated classical spin chain near the ferromagnet-helimagnet transition point

The thermodynamics of the classical frustrated spin chain near the transition point between the ferromagnetic and the helical phases is studied. The calculation of the partition and spin correlation functions at low temperature limit is reduced to the quantum mechanical problem of a particle in potential well. It is shown that the thermodynamic quantities are universal functions of the temperature normalized by the chiral domain wall energy. The obtained behavior of the static structure factor indicates that the short-range helical-type correlations existing at low temperatures on the helical side of the transition point disappear at some critical temperature, defining the Lifshitz point. It is also shown that the low-temperature susceptibility in the helical phase near the transition point has a maximum at some temperature. Such behavior is in agreement with that observed in several materials described by the quantum s = 1/2 version of this model.     

Critical exponents of Manhattan Hamiltonian walks in two dimensions,from Potts andO(n) models

We consider a set of Hamiltonian circuits filling a Manhattan lattice, i.e., a square lattice with alternating traffic regulation. We show that the generating function (with fugacityz) of this set is identical to the critical partition function of aq-state Potts model on an unoriented square lattice withq ^1/2 =z. The set of critical exponents governing correlations of Hamiltonian circuits is derived using a Coulomb gas technique. These exponents are also found to be those of an O(n) vector model in the low-temperature phase withn =q ^1/2 =z. The critical exponents in the limitz = 0 are then those of spanning trees (q= 0) and of dense polymers (n=0,T < T_c), corresponding to a conformal theory with central chargeC = –2. This shows that the Manhattan orientation and the Hamiltonian constraint of filling all the lattice are irrelevant for the infrared critical properties of Hamiltonian walks.     

Shape dependence of the finite-size scaling limit in a strongly anisotropic $\mathsf{O(\infty)}$ model

We discuss the shape dependence of the finite-size scaling limit in a strongly anisotropic O(N) model in the large-N limit. We show that scaling is observed even if an incorrect value for the anisotropy exponent is considered. However, the related exponents may only be effective ones, differing from the correct critical exponents of the model. We discuss the implications of our results for numerical finite-size scaling studies of strongly anisotropic systems.Received: 9 April 2003, Published online: 4 August 2003PACS:   05.70.Jk Critical point phenomena - 64.60.-i General studies of phase transitions     

Dynamics of selfavoiding tethered membranes. II. Inclusion of hydrodynamic interaction (Zimm model)

The dynamical scaling properties of selfavoiding polymerized membranes with internal dimension D embedded into d dimensions are studied including hydrodynamical interactions. It is shown that the theory is renormalizable to all orders in perturbation theory and that the dynamical scaling exponent z is given by z=d. The crossover to the region, where the membrane is crumpled swollen but the hydrodynamic interaction irrelevant is discussed. The results apply as well to polymers (D=1) as to membranes (D=2). Received: 5 September 1997 / Accepted: 17 November 1997     

Thermodynamic quantum critical behavior of the anisotropic Kondo necklace model

The Ising-like anisotropy parameter δ in the Kondo necklace model is analyzed using the bond-operator method at zero and finite temperatures for arbitrary d dimensions. A decoupling scheme on the double time Green's functions is used to find the dispersion relation for the excitations of the system. At zero temperature and in the paramagnetic side of the phase diagram, we determine the spin gap exponent νz≈0.5 in three dimensions and anisotropy between 0?δ?1, a result consistent with the dynamic exponent z=1 for the Gaussian character of the bond-operator treatment. On the other hand, in the antiferromagnetic phase at low but finite temperatures, the line of Neel transitions is calculated for δ?1. For d>2 it is only re-normalized by the anisotropy parameter and varies with the distance to the quantum critical point (QCP) |g| as, T_N∝|g|^ψ where the shift exponent ψ=1/(d-1). Nevertheless, in two dimensions, a long-range magnetic order occurs only at T=0 for any δ?1. In the paramagnetic phase, we also find a power law temperature dependence on the specific heat at the quantum critical trajectoryJ/t=(J/t)_c, T→0. It behaves as C_V∝T^d for δ?1 and ≈1, in concordance with the scaling theory for z=1.     

Finite size scaling for directed percolation and related stochastic evolution processes

Finite size scaling effects are investigated for certain evolution processes modelled by a one-component reaction-diffusion system with an absorbing state. The model possesses a non-equilibrium critical point, and the associated universality class includes directed bond percolation, cellular automata, Reggeon field theory and a stochastic version of Schlögl's first autocatalytic reaction scheme. Using renormalisation group techniques, we calculate the linear relaxation time in a cubic geometry of finite sizeL, with periodic boundary conditions imposed. The corresponding scaling behaviour toO() (=4–d,d being the spatial dimension) is presented in universal form.     

Perovskites in high dimensions

We study the (D+1) band Hubbard model on generalizedD-dimensional perovskite structures. We show that in the limit of high dimensions the possible scaling behaviour is uniquely determined via the bandstructure and that the model without direct oxygen-oxygen hopping necessarily scales to the cluster limit. A 1/dimension expansion then leads to at-J like Hamiltonian and the Zhang-Rice analysis becomes rigorous. The large dimension fixed point, in general, still remains the cluster model even when a hopping term between n.n. oxygensites is included. Only for a unique ratio of the oxygen onsite energies to the oxygen-oxygen hopping amplitude is a new fixed point possible, corresponding to a heavy-Fermion Hamiltonian.     

Quantum tricriticality in transverse Ising-like systems

The quantum tricriticality of d-dimensional transverse Ising-like systems is studied by means of a perturbative renormalization group approach focusing on static susceptibility. This allows us to obtain the phase diagram for 3 ≤ d < 4, with a clear location of the critical lines ending in the conventional quantum critical points and in the quantum tricritical one, and of the tricritical line for temperature T ≥ 0. We determine also the critical and the tricritical shift exponents close to the corresponding ground state instabilities. Remarkably, we find a tricritical shift exponent identical to that found in the conventional quantum criticality and, by approaching the quantum tricritical point increasing the non-thermal control parameter r, a crossover of the quantum critical shift exponents from the conventional value φ = 1/(d − 1) to the new one φ = 1/2(d − 1). Besides, the projection in the (r,T)-plane of the phase boundary ending in the quantum tricritical point and crossovers in the quantum tricritical region appear quite similar to those found close to an usual quantum critical point. Another feature of experimental interest is that the amplitude of the Wilsonian classical critical region around this peculiar critical line is sensibly smaller than that expected in the quantum critical scenario. This suggests that the quantum tricriticality is essentially governed by mean-field critical exponents, renormalized by the shift exponent φ = 1/2(d − 1) in the quantum tricritical region.     

Critical properties of the anisotropic Ising model with competing interactions

The critical properties of the anisotropic Ising model with competing interactions have been investigated by Monte Carlo methods. The region of localization of the Lifshitz point on the phase diagram has been computed. Relations of the finite-size scaling theory are used to calculate the critical exponents of the heat capacity, susceptibility, and magnetization at various values of the competing interaction parameter J ₁. A crossover to a critical behavior characteristic of a multicritical point with increasing parameter J ₁ is shown to be present in the system.     

Exactly solvable model exhibiting a multicritical point

A hypercubic d-dimensional lattice of spins with nearest neighbor ferromagnetic coupling and next nearest neighbor antiferromagnetic coupling along a single axis is studied in the spherical model limit (n→∞) and is found to exhibit a multicritical point of the uniaxial Lifshitz type. The shape of the λ line is calculated explicitly in the vicinity of the multicritical point, and analytic expressions are given for the shift exponent ψ(d) and its amplitudes A_±(d). The amplitude A_(d) changes sign for d = 3.     

Schrödinger invariance and strongly anisotropic critical systems

The extension of strongly anisotropic or dynamical scaling to local scale invariance is investigated. For the special case of an anisotropy or dynamical exponent =z=2, the group of local scale transformation considered is the Schrödinger group, which can be obtained as the nonrelativistic limit of the conformal group. The requirement of Schrödinger invariance determines the two-point function in the bulk and reduces the three-point function to a scaling form of a single variable. Scaling forms are also derived for the two-point function close to a free surface which can be either spacelike or timelike. These results are reproduced in several exactly solvable statistical systems, namely the kinetic Ising model with Glauber dynamics, lattice diffusion, Lifshitz points in the spherical model, and critical dynamics of the spherical model with a nonconserved order parameter. For generic values of , evidence from higher-order Lifshitz points in the spherical model and from directed percolation suggests a simple scaling form of the two-point function.     

Absence of hyperscaling violations for phase transitions with positive specific heat exponent

Finite size scaling theory and hyperscaling are analyzed in the ensemble limit which differs from the finite size scaling limit. Different scaling limits are discussed. Hyperscaling relations are related to the identification of thermodynamics as the infinite volume limit of statistical mechanics. This identification combined with finite ensemble scaling leads to the conclusion that hyperscaling relations cannot be violated for phase transitions with strictly positive specific heat exponent. The ensemble limit allows to derive analytical expressions for the universal part of the finite size scaling functions at the critical point. The analytical expressions are given in terms of generalH-functions, scaling dimensions and a new universal shape parameter. The universal shape parameter is found to characterize the type of boundary conditions, symmetry and other universal influences on critical behaviour. The critical finite size scaling functions for the order parameter distribution are evaluated numerically for the cases =3, =5 and =15 where is the equation of state exponent. Using a tentative assignment of periodic boundary conditions to the universal shape parameter yields good agreement between the analytical prediction and Monte-Carlo simulations for the two dimensional Ising model. Analytical expressions for critical amplitude ratios are derived in terms of critical exponents and the universal shape parameters. The paper offers an explanation for the numerical discrepancies and the pathological behaviour of the renormalized coupling constant in mean field theory. Low order moment ratios of difference variables are proposed and calculated which are independent of boundary conditions, and allow to extract estimates for a critical exponent.