Finite-size effects at critical points with anisotropic correlations: Phenomenological scaling theory and Monte Carlo simulations

Various thermal equilibrium and nonequilibrium phase transitions exist where the correlation lengths in different lattice directions diverge with different exponentsv ,v : uniaxial Lifshitz points, the Kawasaki spin exchange model driven by an electric field, etc. An extension of finite-size scaling concepts to such anisotropic situations is proposed, including a discussion of (generalized) rectangular geometries, with linear dimensionL in the special direction and linear dimensionsL in all other directions. The related shape effects forL L but isotropic critical points are also discussed. Particular attention is paid to the case where the generalized hyperscaling relationv +(d–1)v =+2 does not hold. As a test of these ideas, a Monte Carlo simulation study for shape effects at isotropic critical point in the two-dimensional Ising model is presented, considering subsystems of a 1024x1024 square lattice at criticality.Visiting Supercomputer Senior Scientist at Rutgers University.     

Renormalization group equations with several length scales and crossover scaling functions for axial anisotropy

The critical behaviour of axially anisotropicn-vector models is characterized by two distinct length scales, the correlation lengths and for the easy and hard axes. In order to handle the full range of anisotropics from to partial differential renormalization group equations are derived, depending on and . The anisotropicX-Y model is studied in detail near four dimensions. The crossover scaling functions for the susceptibilities are calculated to first order in=4–d. Two distinct crossover regions are found for weak and dominant anisotropy, respectively.     

Finite-size scaling study of a first-order temperature-driven symmetry-breaking structural phase transition

We present a study of finite-size effects in a model exhibiting a first-order temperature-driven symmetry-breaking structural phase transition in theL × cylindrical geometry in theL limit. Exact studies demonstrate the applicability of our scaling ansatz even in the one-dimensional limit, making this model ideal for studying finite-size effects. The scaling ansatz, similar to the previously developed ansatz for field-driven transitions, demonstrates that latent heat is crucial in driving these transitions. This ansatz is supported by a 2×2 phenomenological transfer matrix based upon the symmetries of the system; this produces an analytic free energy which has the scaling form. Order parameter probability distributions show that the high- and low-temperature phases coexist only in a small finite-size-affected regime near the bulk transition temperature; this regime vanishes exponentially fast asL diverges.     

Anisotropy of infrared optical absorption in layered superconductors

We analyze the problem of infrared optical absorption in a clean layered London superconductor in the vicinity of the gap =2. We conclude that absorption of light with wave vectorqc is enhanced over ordinary Drude absorption (qc) due to resonance absorption (Landau damping). Experimental absorption studies with qc might therefore improve chances to observe a superconducting gap in the high-T _c superconductors.     

Real-space renormalization group for directed percolation system

We use the recently proposed real-space renormalization group method to study the critical behavior of directed percolation system in two dimensions. The correlation length exponents and are found to be 1.76 and 1.15. These results are in good agreements with the best known values.     

Scaling functions of susceptibilities toO(1/n) forn-vector models with axial anisotropy

For an axially anisotropicn-vector model withm = O(n) easy – andn – m = O(n) hard components of the order parameter, we derive the susceptibility r ^–1 along one of the equivalent easy axes and the perpendicular one r ^-1 toO(1/n) of the 1/n-expansion in the disordered phase. The results confirm predictions of the scaling theory, e.g.(g, t)=A t ^– X (B g/t ) and (g, t) =A t ^– X (B g/t ), wheret = T – T _c (g = 0),g is the anisotropy parameter andX, X denote the scaling functions. We evaluate the relevant diagrams toO(1/n) which yield the coefficientsA, A and the critical behaviour of the scaling functions and critical amplitudes explicitly for . The extreme anisotropic case, i.e.m = O(1), is discussed briefly in the large-n limit in comparison with the mean field solution.Parts of this paper were presented at the Frühjahrstagung der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft in Freudenstadt (May 1974).     

Computer simulation of driven diffusive systems with exchanges

The field-driven Kawasaki model with a fractionp admixture of Glauber dynamics is studied by computer simulation:p=0 corresponds to the order-parameter-onserving driven diffusive system, whilep=1 is the equilibrium Ising model. Forp=0.1 our best estimates of critical exponents based on a system of size 4096×128 are0.22, ^RS0.45, andv v 1. These exponents differ from both the values predicted by a field-theoretic method forp=0 and those of the equilibrium Ising model. Anisotropic finite-size scaling analyses are carried out, both for subsystems of the large system and for fully periodic systems. The results of the latter, however, are inconsistent, probably due to the complexity of the size effects. This leaves open the possibility that we are in a crossover regime fromp=0 top0 and that our critical exponents are effective ones. Forp=0 our results are consistent with the predictionsv >v .     

Short distance scale invariance and high-energy processes in field theory

The dynamics of short distance interaction is considered from viewpoint of the quark field theory. If the effective coupling of quarks (the invariant charge(p ²)) decreases with distance (with increasingp ²) the field picture unifies different phenomenological models: reggeology in the region of smallp and partonology in the region of highp but(p ² ) lnp ² 1 and predict deviations with a subsequent increase ofp . A character of the deviations depends on the behaviour of whenp ². The variants of the asymptotic freedom (0) and scale invariance (g ₂ ⁰ ) are discussed. The strong suppression of—3 decay is considered as a support for the latter.Presented at the Symposium on Hadron-Hadron Scattering at High Energies, Liblice, Czechoslovakia, June 16–21, 1975.     

First-order phase transitions in finite-size strips with interfaces

Finite-size rounding of the magnetization discontinuity at the magnetic phase transition atH=0 (T<T _c ) in 2d Ising-type strips of sizeL ×L , with ± boundary conditions alongL inducing an interface of lengthL , is studied by phenomenological considerations and transfer matrix techniques. Scaling expressions are derived forL =O(L ) and also in the infinite strip limitL . Most of the results can be extended to the 3d case.     

The influence of a surface on Ising and conjugate model spin correlations atT=T c

We calculate rigorously the two-point correlation function in the 2-d Ising model on a quasi-cylindrical lattice at the critical temperatureT _c .The scaling predictions for the surface critical exponents = 5/8, = 1 are confirmed and the change from surface to bulk behavior is studied. By a correspondence relation the results are mapped to the conjugate model, a subcase of the 8-vertex model. We find in this model = 5/4, = 2.     

Instability in degenerate two-photon running wave laser

The stability of the homogeneously broadened and degenerate two-photon running wave laser is analysed by using the full set of matter-field equations. The stability depends on the relative size of the relaxation constants. For 2k>1+r(k=/,r=/; is the cavity loss of the field and , are the longitudinal and transversal decay constants, respectively) no stable lasing state exists. Forr<k<(1+r)/2 an instability occurs. With the decrease in pumping the stable lasing state loses its stability due to Hopf-bifurcation.     

Spatial Spectrum of Artificial Ionospheric Irregularities Induced by Powerful HF Radiowaves

We present measurement results and spatial-spectrum shapes of the dependence of the relaxation time on the scale across the geomagnetic field for artificial ionospheric irregularities (AIIs) induced in the upper ionosphere by powerful HF radiation of the SURA heating facility. The irregularity diagnostics was based on observing amplitude scintillations of a 243-MHz beacon signal from a quasi-geostationary, solar-synchronous satellite and on measuring field-aligned scattering at frequencies 15 and 20 MHz. The satellite signal was received at the Kazan State University Observatory. The field-aligned scattering signals were received and analyzed by a bistatic HF radar based on the UTR-2 radio telescope located near Kharkov (Ukraine). It is shown that irregularities of the electron density, whose two-dimensional spectrum in the plane perpendicular to the geomagnetic field is the power law æ ^-p with index p2, are developed in the scale range 30–60 l 200–400 m. In this case, the relative fluctuations (N²)^1/2 of the electron density increase with decreasing scale l=2/æ. The estimate N²)^1/2 1–1.5% is obtained for a heating power of 150 MW and irregularity scales l 30–60 m at which the fluctuations are maximum. The measured dependence of the AII relaxation time, defined as the e-folding time of the amplitude-scintillation intensity, has the form _r l . If l 30–60 m, then the index is close to 2, whereas the effective diffusion coefficient D (2–3)· 10^-1 m²/s corresponds to the ambipolar cross-field diffusion coefficient in a magnetized plasma. The time _r for scales l 60–100 m is independent of l and increases with decreasing velocity of regular drift of the plasma. The Doppler-spectrum broadening (²)^1/2 0.6 Hz observed when receiving field-aligned scattered signals can be related to chaotic motions of plasma-density disturbances whose random drift velocities amount to (v²)^1/2 2–3 m/s for scales l 20 m at which the power-law index changes drastically.     

Flux diffusion in high-T c superconductors

In type-II superconductors in the flux flow (J J _c ), flux creep (J _c J _c ), and thermally activated flux flow (TAFF) (J J _c ) regimes the inductionB(r,t), averaged over several penetration depths , in general follows from a nonlinear equation of motion into which enter the nonlinear resistivities (B, J ,T) caused by flux motion and (B, J ,T) caused by other dissipative processes.J andJ are the current densities perpendicular and parallel toB,B=|B|, andT is the temperature. For flux flow and TAFF in isotropic superconductors with weak relative spatial variation ofB, this equation reduces to the diffusion equation plus a correction term which vanishes whenJ =0 (this means B××B=0) or when – = 0 (isotropic normal conductor). When this diffusion equation holds the material anisotropy may be accounted for by a tensorial . The response of a superconductor to an applied current or to a change of the applied magnetic field is considered for various geometries. Such perturbations affect only a surface layer of thickness where a shielding current flows which pulls at the flux lines; the resulting deformation of the vortex lattice diffuses into the interior until a new equilibrium or a new stationary state is reached. The a.c. response, in particular the frequency with maximum damping, depends thus on the geometry and size of the superconductor.     

The contrast gain in a guest-host nematic display due to a periodic boundary condition

The mean square tilt angle of a nematic slab with finite anchoring energy and periodic boundary conditions has been theoretically investigated, as a function of the slab geometry and of the reduced extrapolation length. If the anchoring strength is free-surfacelike, the contrast is affected by a loss 10% at room temperature if the ratio between the anchoring pitch and the cell thickness is 0.5.Glossary anchoring pitch - h cell thickness - /h - ( = x/, = y/h) reduced coordinates - (, ) local tilt angle - elastic constant - w_a anchoring energy anisotropy - b=/w _a de Gennes-Kleman extrapolation length - B=b/h reduced extrapolation length - T _NI nematic-isotropic transition temperature - :=(T/T _NI ) – 1 reduced temperature - easy axis direction - _MAX - _± ² mean square tilt angle along the boundary - () absorbance coefficients of the p-dye - r /: dichroic ratio - c contrast - G contrast gain - S order parameter     

Anisotropy of the low temperature resistivity of hexagonal single crystalline spin glass systems

The impurity contribution to the resistivity in zero field (T) of dilute hexagonal single crystals of ZnMn, CdMn and MgMn has been studied in the mK range on samples cut parallel () and perpendicular () to thec-axis, using a SQUID technique for the measurements. Typical spin glass behavior is found in (T) as well as (T) for all alloys, with Kondo like logarithmic increases at higher temperatures and maxima atT _m at lower temperatures, indicating the influence of impurity interactions. The differences in the corresponding isotropic resistivity _poly(T) between the three systems can qualitatively be understood within the framework of a theoretical model by Larsen, describing (T) as a function of universal quantitiesT/T _K and _RKKY/T _K , where _RKKY is the RKKY-interaction strength andT _K the Kondo temperature. With respect to the two lattice directions studied, the behavior of (T and (T is anisotropic in the Kondo regime as well as in the range where ordering becomes important. While the anisotropy in the Kondo slope can be understood by an anisotropic unitarity limit, the understanding of the anisotropy in region where impurity interactions are important remains problematic.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. S. Methfessel on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Explaining μ+ spin-lattice relaxation in MnF2, belowT N,by scattering function

A relation between the spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T ₁) of positive muons and the scattering functionS ^T (q,) is derived for the antiferromagnet MnF₂. We find good agreement between previousSR measurements of 1/T ₁ and our calculation using neutron scattering measurements ofS ^T (q,).     

Field-theoretical approach to static critical phenomena in semi-infinite systems

The critical behaviour of a semi-infinite system withO(n) spin symmetry is studied in 4- dimensions near the ordinary transition using renormalization-group methods of field theory and -expansion techniques. It is found that, to all orders in , all surface exponents can be expressed in terms of two bulk exponents and a single surface exponent which follows from the anomalous dimension of the derivative (x ,0) of The order parameter (x,x ) at the surface (x =0). As a byproduct, Barber's scaling law 2₁ – ₁₁ = + is obtained. The surface exponents are calculated to second order in . Our results show that the scaling relation = ^–1 proposed by Bray and Moore is incorrect. The behaviour of various scaling functions close to the surface (i.e. forx correlation length) is determined with the help of short-distance expansions. We also treat corrections to scaling and logarithmic corrections in four dimensions. Our results for the logarithmic corrections of the layer and local susceptibilities disagree with those obtained by Guttmann and Reeve.A brief account of some of the results presented here was given in [1]. The surface exponents were independently calculated to order ² by Reeve and Guttmann [2] using an alternative method     

Instabilities of plasma with intense azimuthal streams and radially dependent density

The flute instabilities of a cold magnetoactive plasma with radially dependent density and strong azimuthal streams of particles (ions) are studied. The effect of non-zero perpendicular temperatureT of the ions on these oscillations is investigated. For systems withT 0, the continuation of drift-cyclotron instability in a strongly inhomogeneous plasma is found. Further, the stability of electron plasma oscillations (² _pe ² cos² ) is investigated.The authors are indebted to V. KopeckS, J. Teichmann and J. Vàclavik for discussions.     

Transport of meso-scale structures in tokamak edge plasmas

We review possible mechanisms of blobby transport in fusion-related plasmas. The models dealing with the effective plasma gravity and caused by both T _e and parallel shear of E × B drift instabilities are considered.Presented at the Workshop Electric Fields Structures and Relaxation in Edge Plasmas, Nice, France, October 26–27, 2004.     

Exponential decay in the stark effect

LetH=–+V+Fx ₁ withV(x ₁,x ) analytic in the first variable andV(x ₁+ia, x ) bounded and decreasing to zero asx for eacha . Let be an eigenvector of –+V with negative eigenvalue. Among our results we show that forF0, (,e ^–H ) decays exponentially at a rate governed by the positions of the resonances ofH. This exponential decay is in marked contrast to conventional atomic resonances for which power law decay is the rule.Research supported by NSF Grant No. MCS 78-00101.