Finite-size scaling of the three-state Potts model on a simple cubic lattice

Finite-size scaling is studied for the three-state Potts model on a simple cubic lattice. We show that the specific heat and the magnetic susceptibility scale accurately as the volume. The correlation length exhibits behaviors expected for a genuine first-order transition; the one extracted from the unsubtracted correlation function shows a characteristic finite-size behavior, whereas the physical correlation length that characterizes the first excited state stays at a finite value and is discontinuous at the transition point.     

Finite-Size Scaling in the p-State Mean-Field Potts Glass: A Monte Carlo Investigation

The p-state mean-field Potts glass with bimodal bond distribution (±J) is studied by Monte Carlo simulations, both for p = 3 and p = 6 states, for system sizes from N = 5 to N = 120 spins, considering particularly the finite-size scaling behavior at the exactly known glass transition temperature T _c. It is shown that for p = 3 the moments q ^(k) of the spin-glass order parameter satisfy a simple scaling behavior, being the appropriate scaling function and T the temperature. Also the specific heat maxima have a similar behavior, , while moments of the magnetization scale as . The approach of the positions T _max of these specific heat maxima to T _c as N is nonmonotonic. For p = 6 the results are compatible with a first-order transition, q ^(k) (q _jump)^k as N but since the order parameter q _jump at T _c is rather small, a behavior q ^(k) N ^-k/3 as N also is compatible with the data. Thus no firm conclusions on the finite-size behavior of the order parameter can be drawn. The specific heat maxima c _V ^max behave qualitatively in the same way as for p = 3, consistent with the prediction that there is no latent heat. A speculative phenomenological discussion of finite-size scaling for such transitions is given. For small N (N 15 for p = 3, N 12 for p = 6) the Monte Carlo data are compared to exact partition function calculations, and excellent agreement is found. We also discuss ratios , for various quantities X, to test the possible lack of self-averaging at T _c.     

Finite-size scaling for Potts models

Recently, Borgs and Kotecký developed a rigorous theory of finite-size effects near first-order phase transitions. Here we apply this theory to the ferromagneticq-state Potts model, which (forq large andd2) undergoes a first-order phase transition as the inverse temperature is varied. We prove a formula for the internal energy in a periodic cube of side lengthL which describes the rounding of the infinite-volume jumpE in terms of a hyperbolic tangent, and show that the position of the maximum of the specific heat is shifted by _m (L)=(Inq/E)L ^–d +O(L ^–2d ) with respect to the infinite-volume transition point _t . We also propose an alternative definition of the finite-volume transition temperature _t (L) which might be useful for numerical calculations because it differs only by exponentially small corrections from _t .     

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.     

Monte Carlo simulations of conformal theory predictions for the three-state Potts model

The critical properties of the three-state Potts model are investigated using Monte Carlo simulations. Special interest is given to the measurement of three-point correlation functions and associated universal objects, i.e., structure constants. The results agree well with predictions coming from conformal field theory, confirming, for this example, the correctness of the Coulomb gas formalism and the bootstrap method.     

Finite-size scaling for first-order transitions: Potts model

The finite-size scaling algorithm based on bulk and surface renormalization of de Oliveira is tesed onq-state Potts models in dimensionsD=2 and 3. Our Monte Carlo data clearly distinguish between first- and second-order phase transitions. Continuous-q analytic calculations performed for small lattices show a clear tendency of the magnetic exponentY=D-/v to reach a plateau for increasing values ofq, which is consistent with the first-order transition valueY=D. Monte Carlo data confirm this trend.     

Finite-size effects in surface tension. I. Fluctuating interfaces

We consider a two-dimensional Ising cylinder of circumferenceM and heightN, with a floating interface introduced by the appropriate boundary conditions. An exact analysis of the finite-size effects in surface tension is given and the scaling function for all temperatures is calculated. The results are compared with the Monte Carlo data of Mon and Jasnow.On leave from: Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Oxford University, Oxford, OX1 3UB, England.     

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.     

Study of cluster fluctuations in the two-dimensional q-state Potts model

The two-dimensional Potts model with 2 to 10 states is studied using a cluster algorithm to calculate fluctuations in cluster size as well as commonly used quantities like equilibrium averages and the histograms for energy and the order parameter. Results provide information about the variation of cluster sizes depending on the temperature and the number of states. They also give evidence for first-order transition when energy and the order parameter related measurables are inconclusive on small size lattices.     

Static and dynamic critical phenomena of the two-dimensionalq-state Potts model

Theq-state Potts model on the square lattice is studied by Monte Carlo simulation forq=3, 4, 5, 6. Very good agreement is obtained with exact results of Kiharaet al. and Baxter for energy and free energy at the critical point. Critical exponent estimates forq=3 are0.4,0.1,1.45, in rough agreement with high-temperature series extrapolation and real space renormalization-group methods. The transition forq=5, 6 is found to be a very weakly first-order transition, i.e., pronounced pseudocritical phenomena occur, specific heat, susceptibility, etc. (nearly) diverge at the first-order transition temperature. Dynamics is associated to the model in the same way as for the kinetic Ising model, and the nonlinear slowing down of the order parameter and of the energy is studied. The dynamic exponent is estimated to be (=zv)1.9. Within our accuracy noq dependence is detected. The relaxation is found to be consistent with dynamic scaling predictions, and dynamic scaling functions associated with the nonlinear relaxation are estimated.     

Propagation of order in the dilute antiferromagnetic three-state Potts model

A recent analysis of the propagation of order in a dilute 3-state Potts antiferromagnetic model on a triangular lattice at zero temperature by Adleret al. has shown the importance of nonlocality in the propagation of order. We study a linearized continuous version of this model, which can be mapped onto three independent percolation problems. We discuss the respective roles of nonlocality and nonlinearity, in particular in connection with central-force percolation.     

TheXY model and the three-state antiferromagnetic Potts model in three dimensions: Critical properties from fluctuating boundary conditions

We present the results of a Monte Carlo study of the three-dimensionalXY model and the three-dimensional antiferromagnetic three-state Potts model. In both cases we compute the difference of the free energies of a system with periodic and a system with antiperiodic boundary conditions in a neighborhood of the critical coupling. From the finite-size scaling behaviour of this quantity we extract values for the critical temperature and the critical exponentv that are compatible with recent high-statistics Monte Carlo studies of the models. The results for the free energy difference at the critical temperature and for the exponentv confirm that both models belong to the same universality class.     

Finite-size effects on the phase transition in a four- and six-fermion interaction model

We consider four- and six-fermion interacting models at finite temperature and density. We construct the corresponding free energies and investigate the appearance of first- and second-order phase transitions. Finite-size effects on the phase structure are investigated using methods of quantum field theory on toroidal topologies.     

Testing approximate theories of first-order phase transitions on the two-dimensional Potts model

The two-dimensional,q-state (q>4) Potts model is used as a testing ground for approximate theories of first-order phase transitions. In particular, the predictions of a theory analogous to the Ramakrishnan-Yussouff theory of freezing are compared with those of ordinary mean-field (Curie-Wiess) theory. It is found that the Curie-Weiss theory is a better approximation than the Ramakrishnan-Yussouff theory, even though the former neglects all fluctuations. It is shown that the Ramakrishnan-Yussouff theory overestimates the effects of fluctuations in this system. The reasons behind the failure of the Ramakrishnan-Yussouff approximation and the suitability of using the two-dimensional Potts model as a testing ground for these theories are discussed.     

Interfacial Adsorption in Two-Dimensional Potts Models

The interfacial adsorption W at the first-order transition in two-dimensional q-state Potts models is studied. In particular, findings of Monte Carlo simulations and of density-matrix renormalization group calculations at q=16 are consistent with the analytic result, obtained in the Hamiltonian limit at large values of q, that Wt ^–1/3 on approach to the bulk critical temperature T _c, t=|T _c–T|/T _c. In addition, the numerical findings allow to estimate corrections to scaling. Our study supports and quantifies a previous conclusion by Bricmont and Lebowitz based on low temperature expansions.     

Droplets in two-dimensional Ising and Potts models

Droplets on a wall and droplets around a nucleus in the center of the lattice are studied in the two-dimensional Ising and three-state Potts models using Monte Carlo techniques. Finite-size effects are discussed by applying a scaling argument and by relating the shape of a droplet to a random walk.     

The roughening transition of the three-dimensional Ising interface: A Monte Carlo study

We study the roughening transition of an interface in an Ising system on a 3D simple cubic lattice using a finite-size scaling method. The particular method has recently been proposed and successfully tested for various solid-on-solid models. The basic idea is the matching of the renormalization-groupflow of the interface with that of the exactly solvable body-centered cubic solid-on-solid model. We unambiguously confirm the Kosterlitz-Thouless nature of the roughening transition of the Ising interface. Our result for the inverse transition temperatureK _r=0.40754(5) is almost two orders of magnitude more accurate than the estimate of Mon, Landau, and Stauffer.     

Absence of phase transition for antiferromagnetic Potts models via the Dobrushin uniqueness theorem

We prove that theq-state Potts antiferromagnet on a lattice of maximum coordination numberr exhibits exponential decay of correlations uniformly at all temperatures (including zero temperature) wheneverq>2r. We also prove slightly better bounds for several two-dimensional lattices: square lattice (exponential decay forq7), triangular lattice (q11), hexagonal lattice (q4), and Kagomé lattice (q6). The proofs are based on the Dobrushin uniqueness theorem.     

Continuous phase transition in a disordered eight-states Potts model

We investigate the two-dimensional eight-states ferromagnetic Potts model in the Voronoi-Delaunay tessellation. In this study, we assume that the coupling factor J varies with the distance r between the first neighbors as , with . The disordered system is simulated applying the single-cluster Monte-Carlo update algorithm and the reweighting technique. We find that this model displays a first-order phase transition if , in agreement with previous recent studies. For and 1.0, a typical second order transition is observed and the critical exponents for magnetization and susceptibility are calculated. Received 19 May 1999 and Received in final form 2 June 1999     

Critical wetting in the square Ising model with a boundary field

The Ising square lattice with nearest-neighbor exchangeJ>0 and a free surface at which a boundary magnetic fieldH ₁ acts has a second-order wetting transition. We study the surface excess magnetization and the susceptibility ofL×M lattices by Monte Carlo simulation and probe the critical behavior of this wetting transition, applying finite-size scaling methods. For the cases studied, the results are not consistent with the presumably exactly known values of the critical exponents, because the asymptotic critical region has not yet been reached. Implication of our results for critical wetting in three dimensions and for the application of the present model to adsorbed wetting layers at surface steps are briefly discussed.Alexander von Humboldt-Fellow