Subtleties in data analysis related to the size of critical region

We comment on the analysis of the critical behavior of a layered driven diffusive system recently done by Achahbar and Marro. We discuss why we believe their method of taking the thermodynamic limit and determining the order-parameter exponent leads to unreliable estimates.     

The O(N) vector model in the large-N limit revisited: multicritical points and double scaling limit

The multicritical points of the O(N)-invariant N vector model in the large-N limit are re-examined. Of particular interest are the subtleties involved in the stability of the phase structure at critical dimensions. In the limit N → ∞ while the coupling g → g_c in a correlated manner (the double scaling limit) a massless bound state O(N) singlet is formed and powers of 1/N are compensated by IR singularities. The persistence of the N → ∞ results beyond the leading order is then studied with particular interest in the possible existence of a phase with propagating small mass vector fields and a massless singlet bound state. We point out that under certain conditions the double scaled theory of the singlet field is non-interacting in critical dimensions.     

O(N) vector model with twisted boundary conditions

Prompted by a recent article of Chakravarty, we reexamine theO(N) vector model with twisted boundary conditions ind dimensions in the various frameworks of the =d–2 expansion, the =4–d expansion, and the large-N expansion. These continuum models describe the physics below the critical temperatureT _c and nearT _c of a latticeO(N) spin model. We determine the effect of the twisting on finite-size scaling functions, for various geometries.On leave from G. Nadjakov Institute of Solid State Physics, 1784 Sofia, Bulgaria.     

Study of the three-dimensional Ising model on film geometry with the cluster Monte Carlo method

Topological properties of clusters are used to extract critical parameters. This method is tested for the bulk properties ofd=2 percolation and thed=2, 3 Ising model. For the latter we obtain an accurate value of the critical temperatureJ/k _B T _c=0.221617(18). In the case of thed=3 Ising model with film geometry the critical value of the surface coupling at the special transitions is determined as J_1c/J=1.5004(20) together with the critical exponents ₁ ^m =0.237(5) and=0.461(15).     

Finite-size scaling and the renormalization group

Renormalization group calculations ind = 4 andd = 4 – are performed for a system of finite size. A form of mean-field theory is used which yields a rounded transition for a finite system, and this allows a sensible expansion in fluctuations. A combination of Ewald and Poisson sum techniques is used to produce explicit numerical results for the specific heat ind = 4 which, with the setting of two nonuniversal metrical factors and the fourth-order coupling constant may be compared with simulations. The numerical visibility of logarithmic corrections is investigated. The universal scaling function for the specific heat to relativeO() is also evaluated numerically.     

Surface tension and universality in the three-dimensional Ising model

The amplitude ₀ of the interfacial free energy per unit area (or surface tension) of the body-centered-cubic Ising model is found using a direct monte carlo simulation technique. The combination ²/k_BT_c, where is the correlation length, is shown to agree within the precision of the simulations with a previously reported estimate for the simple cubic lattice. Evidence is also presented for the universality of the finite-size scaling amplitude for the surface tension.     

Scaling properties of ℤ k- 1 actions on the circle

We derive universal scaling properties for ^k–1 actions on the circle whose generators have rotation numbers algebraic of degreek. As fork=2 these properties can be explained for arbitraryk in terms of a renormalization group transformation. It has at least one trivial fixed point corresponding to an action whose generators are pure rotations. The spectrum of the linearized transformation in this fixed point is analyzed completely. The fixed point is hyperbolic with a (k–1)-dimensional unstable manifold. In the casek=2 the known results are therefore recovered.     

Ward's identity in critical dynamics

We consider the relaxation of an order-parameter fluctuation of wave numberk in a system undergoing a second-order phase transition. In general, close to the critical point, wherek ^{–1 –1} (the correlation length) the relaxation rate has a linear dependence on/k of the form (k, ) = (k, 0)x(1–a/k). In analogy with the use of Ward's identity in elementary particle physics, we show that the numerical coefficienta is readily calculated by means of a mass insertion. We demonstrate, furthermore, that this initial linear drop is the main feature of the full/k dependence of the scaling functionR ^–x (k,), wherex is the dynamic critical exponent andR=(k²+ ²)^1/2 is the distance variable.     

Dynamics of the formation of two-dimensional ordered structures

The growth of ordered domains in lattice gas models, which occurs after the system is quenched from infinite temperature to a state below the critical temperatureT _c, is studied by Monte Carlo simulation. For a square lattice with repulsion between nearest and next-nearest neighbors, which in equilibrium exhibits fourfold degenerate (2×1) superstructures, the time-dependent energy E(t), domain size L(t), and structure functionS(q, t) are obtained, both for Glauber dynamics (no conservation law) and the case with conserved density (Kawasaki dynamics). At late times the energy excess and halfwidth of the structure factor decrease proportional tot ^–x, whileL(t) t ^x, where the exponent x=1/2 for Glauber dynamics and x1/3 for Kawasaki dynamics. In addition, the structure factor satisfies a scaling lawS(k,t)=t ^2xS(kt^x). The smaller exponent for the conserved density case is traced back to the excess density contained in the walls between ordered domains which must be redistributed during growth. Quenches toT>T _c, T=T_c (where we estimate dynamic critical exponents) andT=0 are also considered. In the latter case, the system becomes frozen in a glasslike domain pattern far from equilibrium when using Kawasaki dynamics. The generalization of our results to other lattices and structures also is briefly discussed.     

Geometry and combinatorics of Julia sets of real quadratic maps

For real a correspondence is made between the Julia setB forz(z–)², in the hyperbolic case, and the set of-chains±(±(±..., with the aid of Cremer's theorem. It is shown how a number of features ofB can be understood in terms of-chains. The structure ofB is determined by certain equivalence classes of-chains, fixed by orders of visitation of certain real cycles; and the bifurcation history of a given cycle can be conveniently computed via the combinatorics of-chains. The functional equations obeyed by attractive cycles are investigated, and their relation to-chains is given. The first cascade of period-doubling bifurcations is described from the point of view of the associated Julia sets and-chains. Certain Julia sets associated with the Feigenbaum function and some theorems of Lanford are discussed.Supported by NSF grant No. MCS-8104862.Supported by NSF grant No. MCS-8203325.