Low-frequency critical dynamics in (CnH2n+1NH3)2SnCl6 model biomembrane systems

Nuclear magnetic resonance has been employed as a probe for the collective hydrocarbon chain dynamics in the organic–inorganic model biomembranes (C_nH_2n+1NH₃)₂SnCl₆, undergoing order–disorder and conformational phase transitions. No anomalies were observed in the laboratory-frame spin–lattice relaxation measurements at the order–disorder phase transitions, whereas a discontinuity was manifest at the conformational phase transitions characteristic of a first-order phase transition. On the other hand, our rotating frame spin–lattice relaxation measurements revealed a low-frequency critical collective chain dynamics in the kilohertz regime associated with the order–disorder phase transition.     

Spin and orbital contributions to collective M1 transitions in 46,48Ti

Low- and high-lying K^π = 1⁺ states and M1 transitions in ^46,48Ti are studied. The model hamiltonian is treated in the quasi-particle particle random phase approximation (QRPA) with an exact restoration of its rotational invariance. A considerable spin contribution to the transition matrix elements is found for the low-energy (about 4 MeV) strong M1 transition (the orbital contribution being 30–70% of the spin one), although the microscopic structure of this state in ⁴⁶Ti is typical for an orbital isovector excitation. The calculated energies and B(M1) values are in good agreement with the experimental data. The results are compared to the estimates of the isovector scissor model.     

Bond operator theory for the frustrated anisotropic Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a square lattice

The quantum anisotropic antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model with single ion anisotropy, spin S=1 and up to the next-next-nearest neighbor coupling (the J₁–J₂–J₃ model) on a square lattice, is studied using the bond-operator formalism in a mean field approximation. The quantum phase transitions at zero temperature are obtained. The model features a complex T=0 phase diagram, whose ordering vector is subject to quantum corrections with respect to the classical limit. The phase diagram shows a quantum paramagnetic phase situated among Neél, spiral and collinear states.     

Transition order and dynamics of a model with competing exchange and dipolar interactions

We performed Monte Carlo simulation of phase transitions from isotropic stripe phase with short-range order to long-range stripe phase in a model with competing ferromagnetic exchange and antiferromagnetic dipolar interactions on triangular lattice. We calculated phase diagram for different values of exchange and dipolar interaction constants ratio, η. We also determined the order of the transitions to stripe phases AFh of different stripe widths h: first-order phase transition was found to transitions into AF1 and AF2 phases, while transitions to AF3 and AF4 phases were of the second order. In the phase diagram the tricritical point was determined at the AF2 and AF3 phase boundary. We observed the peak of nematic phase at the transition region to the AF1 phase, but found it metastable at low values of η. We have also found that in AF1 phase spin relaxation corresponds to the Ising model dynamics. In phases AF3 and AF4 the dynamics slows down, and stripe domain growth with time is proportional to logt.     

Phase transitions in self-dual generalizations of the Baxter–Wu model

We study two types of generalized Baxter–Wu models, by means of transfer-matrix and Monte Carlo techniques. The first generalization allows for different couplings in the up- and down-triangles, and the second generalization is to a q-state spin model with three-spin interactions. Both generalizations lead to self-dual models, so that the probable locations of the phase transitions follow. Our numerical analysis confirms that phase transitions occur at the self-dual points. For both generalizations of the Baxter–Wu model, the phase transitions appear to be discontinuous.     

Phase transitions in the two-dimensional ferro- and antiferromagnetic potts models on a triangular lattice

The phase transitions in the two-dimensional ferro- and antiferromagnetic Potts models with q = 3 states of spin on a triangular lattice are studied using cluster algorithms and the classical Monte Carlo method. Systems with linear sizes L = 20–120 are considered. The method of fourth-order Binder cumulants and histogram analysis are used to discover that a second-order phase transition occurs in the ferromagnetic Potts model and a first-order phase transition takes place in the antiferromagnetic Potts model. The static critical indices of heat capacity (α), magnetic susceptibility (γ), magnetization (β), and correlation radius index (ν) are calculated for the ferromagnetic Potts model using the finite-size scaling theory.     

Investigation of the influence of quenched nonmagnetic impurities on phase transitions in the three-dimensional Potts model

The influence of quenched nonmagnetic impurities on phase transitions in the three-dimensional Potts model with the number of spin states q = 3 is investigated using the Wolff single-cluster algorithm of the Monte Carlo method. The systems with linear sizes L = 20–44 at the spin concentrations p = 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, and 0.7 are analyzed. It is demonstrated with the use of the method of fourth-order Binder cumulants that the second-order phase transition occurs in the model under consideration at the spin concentrations p = 0.9, 0.8, and 0.7 and that the first-order phase transition is observed in the pure model (p = 1.0). The static critical exponents α (heat capacity), γ (susceptibility), β (magnetization), and ν (correlation length) are calculated in the framework of the finite-size scaling theory. The problem regarding the universality classes of the critical behavior of weakly diluted systems is discussed.     

Quantum critical behavior of the Kondo necklace model with aperiodic exchange modulation

The low energy behavior of the Kondo necklace model with an aperiodic exchange modulation is studied using a representation for the localized and conduction electron spins, in terms of local Kondo singlet and triplet operators at zero and finite temperature 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. We determined the dependence between the chemical aperiodic exchange modulation and the spin gap in 1d, 2d and 3d, at zero temperature and in the paramagnetic side of the phase diagram. On the other hand, at low but finite temperatures, the line of Néel transitions in the antiferromagnetic phase is calculated in function of the aperiodic exchange modulation.     

Histogram data analysis for a three-dimensional diluted ferromagnetic 3- and 4-state potts models

On the basis of a histogram data analysis, phase transitions (PTs) in a three-dimensional diluted ferromagnetic 3- and 4-state Potts models are investigated. Systems with linear dimensions of L = 20–60 and spin concentrations of p = 1.00, 0.95, and 0.65 are studied. It is shown that the introduction of weak disorder (p ～ 0.95) into the system in the three-dimensional Potts model with q = 3 is sufficient to change a first-order phase transition to a second-order one, whereas, in the three-dimensional Potts model with q = 4, the change of a first-order phase transition to a second-order one occurs only in the presence of strong disorder (p ～ 0.65).     

Ground States of Quantum Antiferromagnets in Two Dimensions

We explore the ground states and quantum phase transitions of two-dimensional, spin S=1/2, antiferromagnets by generalizing lattice models and duality transforms introduced by Sachdev and Jalabert (1990, Mod. Phys. Lett. B4, 1043). The minimal model for square lattice antiferromagnets is a lattice discretization of the quantum nonlinear sigma model, along with Berry phases which impose quantization of spin. With full SU(2) spin rotation invariance, we find a magnetically ordered ground state with Néel order at weak coupling and a confining paramagnetic ground state with bond charge (e.g., spin Peierls) order at strong coupling. We study the mechanisms by which these two states are connected in intermediate coupling. We extend the minimal model to study different routes to fractionalization and deconfinement in the ground state, and also generalize it to cases with a uniaxial anisotropy (the spin symmetry groups is then U(1)). For the latter systems, fractionalization can appear by the pairing of vortices in the staggered spin order in the easy-plane; however, we argue that this route does not survive the restoration of SU(2) spin symmetry. For SU(2) invariant systems we study a separate route to fractionalization associated with the Higgs phase of a complex boson measuring noncollinear, spiral spin correlations: we present phase diagrams displaying competition between magnetic order, bond charge order, and fractionalization, and discuss the nature of the quantum transitions between the various states. A strong check on our methods is provided by their application to S=1/2 frustrated antiferromagnets in one dimension: here, our results are in complete accord with those obtained by bosonization and by the solution of integrable models.     

Progress in lattice gauge theory

Two topics of lattice gauge theory are reviewed. They include string tension and β-function calculations by strong coupling Hamiltonian methods for SU(3) gauge fields in 3 + 1 dimensions, and a 1/N-expansion for discrete gauge and spin systems in all dimensions. The SU(3) calculations give solid evidence for the coexistence of quark confinement and asymptotic freedom in the renormalized continuum limit of the lattice theory. The crossover between weak and strong coupling behavior in the theory is seen to be a weak coupling but non-perturbative effect. Quantitative relationships between perturbative and non-perturbative renormalization schemes are obtained for the O(N) nonlinear sigma models in 1 + 1 dimensions as well as the range theory in 3 + 1 dimensions. Analysis of the strong coupling expansion of the β-function for gauge fields suggests that it has cuts in the complex 1/g²-plane. A toy model of such a cut structure which naturally explains the abruptness of the theory's crossover from weak to strong coupling is presented. The relation of these cuts to other approaches to gauge field dynamics is discussed briefly.The dynamics underlying first order phase transitions in a wide class of lattice gauge theories is exposed by considering a class of models-P(N) gauge theories - which are soluble in the N → ∞ limit and have non-trivial phase diagrams. The first order character of the phase transitions in Potts spin systems for N #62; 4 in 1 + 1 dimensions is explained in simple terms which generalizes to P(N) gauge systems in higher dimensions. The phase diagram of Ising lattice gauge theory coupled to matter fields is obtained in a $\text{1}\text{N}$ expansion. A one-plaquette model (1 time-0 space dimensions) with a first-order phase transitions in the N → ∞ limit is discussed.     

Non-equilibrium phase transitions in the two-temperature Ising model with Kawasaki dynamics

Phase transitions of the two-finite temperature Ising model on a square lattice are investigated by using a position space renormalization group (PSRG) transformation. Different finite temperatures, T _x ?and?T _y , and also different time-scale constants, ?? _x and ?? _y for spin exchanges in the x and y directions define the dynamics of the non-equilibrium system. The critical surface of the system is determined by RG flows as a function of these exchange parameters. The Onsager critical point (when the two temperatures are equal) and the critical temperature for the limit when the other temperature is infinite, previously studied by the Monte Carlo method, are obtained. In addition, two steady-state fixed points which correspond to the non-equilibrium phase transition are presented. These fixed points yield the different universality class properties of the non-equilibrium phase transitions.     

Monte Carlo study of the phase transitions in 2D ferro- and antiferromagnetic Potts models on a triangular lattice

The phase transitions in 2D ferro- and antiferromagnetic Potts models with number of spin states q = 3 on a triangular lattice are investigated by the cluster and classical Monte Carlo methods. Systems with linear sizes L = 20–120 are considered. Fourth-order Binder cumulants and histogram data analysis are used to show that second- and first-order phase transitions are observed in the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic Potts models, respectively. The static critical indices are calculated for specific heat α, susceptibility γ, magnetization β, and correlation length ν on the basis of finite-size scaling theory for a ferromagnetic Potts model.     

Variational discussion of the hamiltonian Z(N) spin model in 1 + 1 and 2 + 1 dimensions

We study the Z(N) spin model, as well as its limiting forms for N → ∞ by means of a variational approach. We find, for 1 + 1 dimensions, the two transitions of the model separating the disordered, massless and ordered phases. In the case of 2 + 1 dimensions, we obtain only the disorder-order phase transition which implies for N → ∞ a single confining phase for the dual U(1) gauge theory.     

Dynamic and static properties of a non-Heisenberg magnet with complex interion anisotropy

The influence of the anisotropic exchange interaction on the phase states of a non-Heisenberg ferromagnet with a magnetic-ion spin S = 1 is studied. It is shown that, depending on the relationships between the parameters of anisotropic exchange interaction and their signs, either a biaxial non-Heisenberg magnet or an Ising magnet are realized in the system. Dynamic properties of the system near orientational phase transitions and transitions in the absolute value of the magnetic moment are studied. Phase diagrams of the system for different relationships between constitutive parameters are plotted.     

Instability of Heisenberg-spin-glass-phase transitions

It is pointed out that there should be no stable phase transitions for XY- and Heisenberg spin glasses with d ? 4 dimensions, and for Ising spin glasses with d ? 2, in the presence of arbitrarily small random magnetic fields. In the absence of such fields the critical dimensions are 2 and 1, respectively.     

Phase structure and critical behavior of multi-Higgs U(1) lattice gauge theory in three dimensions

We study the three-dimensional (3D) compact U(1) lattice gauge theory coupled with N-flavor Higgs fields by means of the Monte Carlo simulations. This model is relevant to multi-component superconductors, antiferromagnetic spin systems in easy plane, inflational cosmology, etc. It is known that there is no phase transition in the N = 1 model. For N = 2, we found that the system has a second-order phase transition line in the c₂ (gauge coupling)-c₁ (Higgs coupling) plane, which separates the confinement phase and the Higgs phase. Numerical results suggest that the phase transition belongs to the universality class of the 3D XY model as the previous works by Babaev et al. and Smiseth et al. suggested. For N = 3, we found that there exists a critical line similar to that in the N = 2 model, but the critical line is separated into two parts; one for c₂<c_2tc=2.4±0.1 with first-order transitions, and the other for c_2tc<c₂ with second-order transitions, indicating the existence of a tricritical point. We verified that similar phase diagram appears for the N = 4 and N = 5 systems. We also studied the case of anistropic Higgs coupling in the N = 3 model and found that there appear two second-order phase transitions or a single second-order transition and a crossover depending on the values of the anisotropic Higgs couplings. This result indicates that an “enhancement” of phase transition occurs when multiple phase transitions coincide at a certain point in the parameter space.     

Analysis of the sequence of insulator-metal phase transitions at high pressure in systems with spin crossovers

Possible variants of the Mott-Hubbard phase transitions at high pressure in systems with spin crossovers are considered. Owing to the universal character of the dependence of the effective Hubbard parameter U _eff(d ⁿ ) on the average number of d electrons, which is determined by the presence of spin crossovers, cascades of insulator-metal-insulator phase transitions in systems with d ³, d ⁶, and d ⁸ configurations become possible. Moreover, the systems with d ⁶ configuration can exhibit transitions from a metal in the absence of external pressure to an insulator at high pressure.     

The mesoscopic chiral metal-insulator transition

Sharp localization transitions of chiral edge states in disordered quantum wires subject to a strong magnetic field are shown to be driven by crossovers from two-to one-dimensional localization of bulk states. As a result, the two-terminal conductance is found to exhibit discontinuous transitions at zero temperature between exactly integer plateau values and zero, reminiscent of first-order phase transitions. We discuss the corresponding phase diagram. The spin of the electrons is shown to result in a multitude of phases when the spin degeneracy is raised by the Zeeman energy. The width of conductance plateaus is found to depend sensitively on the spin flip rate 1/τ_s.     

Phase transitions and critical phenomena in a three-dimensional site-diluted Potts model

The phase transitions and critical phenomena in the three-dimensional (3D) site-diluted q-state Potts models on a simple cubic lattice are explored. We systematically study the phase transitions of the models for q=3 and q=4 on the basis of Wolff high-effective algorithm by the Monte–Carlo (MC) method. The calculations are carried out for systems with periodic boundary conditions and spin concentrations p=1.00–0.65. It is shown that introducing of weak disorder (p∼0.95) into the system is sufficient to change the first order phase transition into a second order one for the 3D 3-state Potts model, while for the 3D 4-state Potts model, such a phase transformation occurs when introducing strong disorder (p∼0.65). Results for 3D pure 3-state and 4-state Potts models (p=1.00) agree with conclusions of mean field theory. The static critical exponents of the specific heat α, susceptibility γ, magnetization β, and the exponent of the correlation radius ν are calculated for the samples on the basis of finite-size scaling theory.