The field theory approach to percolation processes

We review the field theory approach to percolation processes. Specifically, we focus on the so-called simple and general epidemic processes that display continuous non-equilibrium active to absorbing state phase transitions whose asymptotic features are governed, respectively, by the directed (DP) and dynamic isotropic percolation (dIP) universality classes. We discuss the construction of a field theory representation for these Markovian stochastic processes based on fundamental phenomenological considerations, as well as from a specific microscopic reaction-diffusion model realization. Subsequently we explain how dynamic renormalization group (RG) methods can be applied to obtain the universal properties near the critical point in an expansion about the upper critical dimensions d_c = 4 (DP) and 6 (dIP). We provide a detailed overview of results for critical exponents, scaling functions, crossover phenomena, finite-size scaling, and also briefly comment on the influence of long-range spreading, the presence of a boundary, multispecies generalizations, coupling of the order parameter to other conserved modes, and quenched disorder.     

Hyperscaling above the upper critical dimension

Above the upper critical dimension, the breakdown of hyperscaling is associated with dangerous irrelevant variables in the renormalization group formalism at least for systems with periodic boundary conditions. While these have been extensively studied, there have been only a few analyses of finite-size scaling with free boundary conditions. The conventional expectation there is that, in contrast to periodic geometries, finite-size scaling is Gaussian, governed by a correlation length commensurate with the lattice extent. Here, detailed numerical studies of the five-dimensional Ising model indicate that this expectation is unsupported, both at the infinite-volume critical point and at the pseudocritical point where the finite-size susceptibility peaks. Instead the evidence indicates that finite-size scaling at the pseudocritical point is similar to that in the periodic case. An analytic explanation is offered which allows hyperscaling to be extended beyond the upper critical dimension.     

Nonperturbative scaling theory of free magnetic moment phases in disordered metals

The crossover between a free magnetic moment phase and a Kondo phase in low-dimensional disordered metals with dilute magnetic impurities is studied. We perform a finite-size scaling analysis of the distribution of the Kondo temperature obtained from a numerical renormalization group calculation of the local magnetic susceptibility for a fixed disorder realization and from the solution of the self-consistent Nagaoka-Suhl equation. We find a sizable fraction of free (unscreened) magnetic moments when the exchange coupling falls below a critical value Jc. Between the free moment phase due to Anderson localization and the Kondo-screened phase we find a phase where free moments occur due to the appearance of random local pseudogaps at the Fermi energy whose width and power scale with the elastic scattering rate 1/tau.     

Finite-size scaling behavior in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>(4) model

The exact nature of the QCD phase transition has still not been determined conclusively, and there are contradictory results from lattice QCD simulations about the scaling behavior for two quark flavors. Ultimately, this issue can be resolved only by a careful scaling and finite-size scaling analysis of the lattice results. We use a renormalization group approach to obtain finite-size scaling functions for the O(4) model, which are relevant for this analysis. Our results are applicable to lattice QCD studies of the QCD phase boundary.     

The Kosterlitz-Thouless universality class

We examine the Kosterlitz-Thouless universality class and show that essential scaling at this type of phase transition is not self-consistent unless multiplicative logarithmic corrections are included. In the case of specific heat these logarithmic corrections are identified analytically. To identify those corresponding to the susceptibility we set up a numerical method involving the finite-size scaling of Lee-Yang zeroes. We also study the density of zeroes and introduce a new concept called index scaling. We apply the method to the XY model and the c]osely related step model in two dimensions. The critical parameters (including logarithmic corrections) of the step model are compatible with those of the XY model indicating that both models belong to the same universality class. This result then raises questions over how a vortex binding scenario can be the driving mechanism for the phase transition. Furthermore, the logarithmic corrections identified numerically by our methods of fitting are not in agreement with the renormalization group predictions of Kosterlitz and Thouless.     

Dynamic criticality in glass-forming liquids

We propose that the dynamics of supercooled liquids and the formation of glasses can be understood from the existence of a zero-temperature dynamical critical point. To support our proposal, we derive a dynamic field theory for a generic kinetically constrained model, which we expect to describe the dynamics of a supercooled liquid. We study this field theory using the renormalization group (RG). Its long time behavior is dominated by a zero-temperature critical point, which for d>2 belongs to the directed percolation universality class. Molecular dynamics simulations seem to confirm the existence of dynamic scaling behavior consistent with the RG predictions.     

Griffiths-McCoy singularities in random quantum spin chains: exact results through renormalization

The Ma-Dasgupta-Hu renormalization group (RG) scheme is used to study singular quantities in the Griffiths phase of random quantum spin chains. For the random transverse-field Ising spin chain we have extended Fisher's analytical solution to the off-critical region and calculated the dynamical exponent exactly. Concerning other random chains we argue by scaling considerations that the RG method generally becomes asymptotically exact for large times, both at the critical point and in the whole Griffiths phase. This statement is checked via numerical calculations on the random Heisenberg and quantum Potts models by the density matrix renormalization group method.     

Localization properties of two interacting particles in a quasi-periodic potential with a metal-insulator transition

We study the influence of many-particle interactions on a metal-insulator transition. We consider the two-interacting-particle problem for onsite interacting particles on a one-dimensional quasiperiodic chain, the so-called Aubry-André model. We show numerically by the decimation method and finite-size scaling that the interaction does not modify the critical parameters such as the transition point and the localization-length exponent. We compare our results to the case of finite density systems studied by means of the density-matrix renormalization scheme. Received 28 June 2001     

Nonperturbative renormalization group approach to turbulence

We suggest a new, renormalization group (RG) based, nonperturbative method for treating the intermittency problem of fully developed turbulence which also includes the effects of a finite boundary of the turbulent flow. The key idea is not to try to construct an elimination procedure based on some assumed statistical distribution, but to make an ansatz for possible RG transformations and to pose constraints upon those, which guarantee the invariance of the nonlinear term in the Navier-Stokes equation, the invariance of the energy dissipation, and other basic properties of the velocity field. The role of length scales is taken to be inverse to that in the theory of critical phenomena; thus possible intermittency corrections are connected with the outer length scale. Depending on the specific type of flow, we find different sets of admissible transformations with distinct scaling behaviour: for the often considered infinite, isotropic, and homogeneous system K41 scaling is enforced, but for the more realistic plane Couette geometry no restrictions on intermittency exponents were obtained so far. Received: 28 December 1997 / Accepted: 6 August 1998     

Renormalization Group Study of Ising Transition in Double－Frequency sine－Gordon Model

We utilize the renormallzation group (RG) technique to analyze the Ising critical behavior in the double frequency Sine-Gordon model. The one-loop RG equations obtained show unambiguously that there exist two Ising critical points besides the trivial Gaussian fixed point. The topology of the RG flows is obtained as well.     

Reduced fidelity, entanglement and quantum phase transition in the one-dimensional bond-alternating S = 1 Heisenberg chain

By using the method of density-matrix renormalization group, the reduced fidelity and entanglement in the one-dimensional bond-alternating S = 1 Heisenberg chain are investigated. The results demonstrate that the quantum phase transition from the Haldane phase to the dimer phase can be characterized by the reduced fidelity and the first derivation of the entanglement entropy. Through the finite-size scaling, the critical point and the critical exponent of the correlation length are obtained accurately.     

Renormalization Group Study of Ising Transition in Double-Frequency sine-Gordon Model

We utilize the renormalization group (RG) technique to analyze the Ising critical behavior in the doublefrequency sine-Gordon model. The one-loop RG equations obtained show unambiguously that there exist two Isingcritical points besides the trivial Gaussian fixed point. The topology of the RG flows is obtained as well.     

Critical behavior of the two-dimensional thermalized bond Ising model

A suitably modified Wolff single-cluster Monte Carlo simulation has been performed to investigate the critical behavior of a two-dimensional Ising model with temperature-dependent annealed bond dilution, also known as the thermalized bond Ising model, which is intended to simulate the thermal excitations of electronic bond degrees of freedom as in covalently bonded network liquids. A finite-size scaling analysis of the susceptibility and the fourth-order cumulant, results in a reliable estimation of the critical exponents in the thermodynamic limit. The exponents are found to be consistent with those predicted by the Fisher renormalization relations, despite the well known violations of the renormalization relations when approximate methods such as real space renormalization group are employed to investigate two-dimensional Ising model with annealed bond dilution, and the temperature variation of the bond concentration in thermalized bond model system.     

Renormalization Group for Strongly Coupled Maps

Systems of strongly coupled chaotic maps generically exhibit collective behavior emerging out of extensive chaos. We show how the well-known renormalization group (RG) of unimodal maps can be extended to the coupled systems, and in particular to coupled map lattices (CMLs) with local diffusive coupling. The RG relation derived for CMLs is nonperturbative, i.e., not restricted to a particular class of configurations nor to some vanishingly small region of parameter space. After defining the strong-coupling limit in which the RG applies to almost all asymptotic solutions, we first present the simple case of coupled tent maps. We then turn to the general case of unimodal maps coupled by diffusive coupling operators satisfying basic properties, extending the formal approach developed by Collet and Eckmann for single maps. We finally discuss and illustrate the general consequences of the RG: CMLs are shown to share universal properties in the space-continuous limit which emerges naturally as the group is iterated. We prove that the scaling properly ties of the local map carry to the coupled systems, with an additional scaling factor of length scales implied by the synchronous updating of these dynamical systems. This explains various scaling laws and self-similar features previously observed numerically.     

Finite-size scaling for near-critical continuum fluids at constant pressure

We consider the application of finite-size scaling methods to isothermal-isobaric (constant-NpT) simulations of pure continuum fluids. A finite-size scaling ansatz is made for the dependence of the relevant scaling operators on the particle number. To test the proposed scaling form, constant pressure simulations of the Lennard-Jones fluid at its liquid-vapour critical point are performed. The critical scaling operator distributions are obtained and their scaling with particle number is found to be consistent with the proposed behaviour. The forms of these scaling distributions are shown to be identical to their Ising model counterparts. The relative merits of employing the constant-NpT and grand canonical (constant-μVT) ensembles for simulations of fluid critically are also discussed.     

Crossover scale of the fixed point with replica symmetry breaking in the random Potts model

We study the scaling properties of the renormalization group (RG) flows in the two-dimensional random Potts model, assuming a general type of replica symmetry breaking (RSB) in the renormalized coupling matrix. It is shown that in the asymptotic regime the RG flows approach the non-trivial RSB fixed point algebraically slowly, which reflects the fact that this type of the fixed point is marginally stable. As a consequence, the crossover spatial scale corresponding to the critical regime described by this fixed point turns out to be exponentially large. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 66, No. 11, 718–723 (10 December 1997) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Edited by Steve Torstveit.     

Universality and finite-size scaling of the specific heat of 3He-4He mixtures

We have measured the heat capacity of (3)He-(4)He mixtures confined in films of thickness 48.3 and 986.9 nm. The confinement is defined by direct bonding of two silicon wafers. The heat capacity is measured using an ac technique and then transformed to correct for exponent renormalization effects. The data address the expected universal critical behavior along the lambda line as function of (3)He concentration. We discuss the results of several analyses of the data, and we show that a universal collapse can be achieved for all the mixtures. However, this is on a locus which differs from that of the pure system. An alternative analysis is also presented which yields collapse of all the data under certain assumptions. We believe these data are the first to test universality of finite-size scaling for the specific heat along a locus of transitions.     

Nonuniversal quantities from dual renormalization group transformations

Using a simplified version of the renormalization group (RG) transformation of Dyson's hierarchical model, we show that one can calculate all the nonuniversal quantities entering into the scaling laws by combining an expansion about the high-temperature fixed point with a dual expansion about the critical point. The magnetic susceptibility is expressed in terms of two dual quantities transforming covariantly under an RG transformation and has a smooth behavior in the high-temperature limit. Using the analogy with Hamiltonian mechanics, the simplified example discussed here is similar to the anharmonic oscillator, while more realistic examples can be thought of as coupled oscillators, allowing resonance phenomena.     

On spin and matrix models in the complex plane

We describe various aspects of statistical mechanics defined in the complex temperature or coupling-constant plane. Using exactly solvable models, we analyse such aspects as renormalization group flows in the complex plane, the distribution of partition function zeros, and the question of new coupling-constant symmetries of complex-plane spin models. The double-scaling form of matrix models is shown to be exactly equivalent to finite-size scaling of two-dimensional spin systems. This is used to show that the string susceptibility exponents derived from matrix models can be obtained numerically with very high accuracy from the scaling of finite-N partition function zeros in the complex plane.     

Critical exponents predicted by grouping of Feynman diagrams in φ4 model

Different perturbation theory treatments of the Ginzburg‐Landau phase transition model are discussed. This includes a criticism of the perturbative renormalization group (RG) approach and a proposal of a novel method providing critical exponents consistent with the known exact solutions in two dimensions. The usual perturbation theory is reorganized by appropriate grouping of Feynman diagrams of φ⁴ model with O(n) symmetry. As a result, equations for calculation of the two‐point correlation function are obtained which allow to predict possible exact values of critical exponents in two and three dimensions by proving relevant scaling properties of the asymptotic solution at (and near) the criticality. The new values of critical exponents are discussed and compared to the results of numerical simulations and experiments.