© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

Terms Privacy Legal Notice

arXiv:1003.2569 · Journal of Statistical Mechanics Theory and Experiment

Nature of the spin-glass phase at experimental length scales

R Alvarez Baños, A Cruz, L A Fernandez, J M Gil-Narvion, A. Gordillo-Guerrero, M Guidetti, A. Maiorano, Filippo Mantovani, Enzo Marinari, Víctor Martín-Mayor, J Monforte-Garcia, A. Muñoz Sudupe, D Navarro, Giorgio Parisi A, Sergio Perez-Gaviro, J J Ruiz-Lorenzo, Sebastiano Fabio Schifano, Beatriz Seoane, Alfonso Tarancón, R. Tripiccione, David Yllanes

Published Jun 28, 2010• 110 citations

Abstract

We present a massive equilibrium simulation of the three-dimensional Ising spin glass at low temperatures. The Janus special-purpose computer has allowed us to equilibrate, using parallel tempering, L = 32 lattices down to T ≈ 0.64 T c . We demonstrate the relevance of equilibrium finite size simulations to understanding experimental non-equilibrium spin glasses in the thermodynamical limit by establishing a time-length dictionary. We conclude that non-equilibrium experiments performed on a timescale of 1 h can be matched with equilibrium results on L ≈ 110 lattices. A detailed investigation of the probability distribution functions of the spin and link overlap, as well as of their correlation functions, shows that Replica Symmetry Breaking is the appropriate theoretical framework for the physically relevant length scales. Besides, we improve over existing methodologies in ensuring equilibration in parallel tempering simulations.

DOI: 10.1088/1742-5468/2010/06/p06026

Related papers

PHASE TRANSITIONS IN SPIN GLASSES

A. P. Young

Some recent progress in Monte Carlo simulations of spin glasses will be presented. The problem of slow dynamics at low temperatures is partially alleviated by use of the parallel tempering (replica exchange) method. A useful technique to check for equilibration (applicable only for a Gaussian distribution) will be discussed. It will be argued that a finite size scaling analysis of the scaled correlation length of the system is a good approach with which to investigate phase transitions in spin glasses. This method will be used to study two questions: (i) whether there is a phase transition in zero field in the Heisenberg spin glass in three dimensions, and (ii) whether there is phase transition in a magnetic field in an Ising spin glass, also in three dimensions.

International Journal of Modern Physics C•Sep 1, 2009•0 citations

Dynamics of three-dimensional Ising spin glasses in thermal equilibrium

Andrew T. Ogielski

I present an analysis of the dynamic behavior of short-range Ising spin glasses observed in stochastic simulations. The time dependence of the order parameter q(t)=〈${S}_{x}$(0)${S}_{x}$(t)〉\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}---which is the same as that of the structure factor---and the time dependence of the related dynamic correlation functions have been recorded with good statistics and very long observation times. The spin-glass model with a symmetric distribution of discrete nearest-neighbor \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}J interactions on a simple-cubic lattice was used. Simulations were performed with a special fast computer, allowing for the first-time investigation of the equilibrium dynamics for a wide range of temperatures (0.7\ensuremath{\le}kT/J\ensuremath{\le}5.0) and lattice sizes (${8}^{3}$, ${16}^{3}$, ${32}^{3}$, and ${64}^{3}$). I have found that the empirical formula q(t)=${\mathrm{ct}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}x}$exp(-\ensuremath{\omega}${t}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}$) with temperature-dependent exponents x(T) and \ensuremath{\beta}(T) describes the decay very well at all temperatures above the spin-glass transition. In the spin-glass phase, only the algebraic decay q(t)=${\mathrm{ct}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}x}$ could be observed, with different temperature dependences of the exponent x(T). The dynamic scaling hypothesis and finite-size scaling explain well the observed temperature and size dependence of the data, and the functional form of the correlation functions is com- patible with the scaling form if corrections to scaling are taken into account. The scaling behavior and the dynamic and static critical exponents found in my simulations are in reasonable agreement with recent experiments performed on insulating spin glasses, showing that despite its simplicity the discrete model of spin glasses analyzed in this work displays behavior similar to that seen in nature.

Physical review. B, Condensed matter•Dec 1, 1985•773 citations

The three-dimensional Ising spin glass in an external magnetic field: the role of the silent majority

Marco Baity‐Jesi, R. A. Baños, Andrés De la Cruz +21 more

We perform equilibrium parallel-tempering simulations of the 3D Ising Edwards–Anderson spin glass in a field, using the Janus computer. A traditional analysis shows no signs of a phase transition. However, we encounter dramatic fluctuations in the behaviour of the model: averages over all the data only describe the behaviour of a small fraction of the data. Therefore, we develop a new approach to study the equilibrium behaviour of the system, by classifying the measurements as a function of a conditioning variate. We propose a finite-size scaling analysis based on the probability distribution function of the conditioning variate, which may accelerate the convergence to the thermodynamic limit. In this way, we find a non-trivial spectrum of behaviours, where some of the measurements behave as the average, while the majority show signs of scale invariance. As a result, we can estimate the temperature interval where the phase transition in a field ought to lie, if it exists. Although this would-be critical regime is unreachable with present resources, the numerical challenge is finally well posed.

arXiv:1403.2622•Journal of Statistical Mechanics Theory and Experiment•May 16, 2014•51 citations

Testing finite time scaling at the spin glass transition in three dimensions

L. A. Fernández, Víctor Martín-Mayor

The statics-dynamics correspondence in spin glasses relate non-equilibrium results on large samples (the experimental realm) with equilibrium quantities computed on small systems (the typical arena for theoretical computations). Here we employ statics-dynamics equivalence to study the Ising spin-glass critical behavior in three dimensions. By means of Monte Carlo simulation, we follow the growth of the coherence length (the size of the glassy domains), on lattices too large to be thermalized. Thanks to the large coherence lengths we reach, we are able to obtain accurate results in excellent agreement with the best available equilibrium computations. To do so, we need to clarify the several physical meanings of the dynamic exponent close to the critical temperature.

•Dec 15, 2014•0 citations

Spin Glasses at Low Temperatures

Helmut G. Katzgraber, Matteo Palassini, A. P. Young

We report the results of Monte Carlo simulations on several spin glass models at low temperatures. By using the parallel tempering (Exchange Monte Carlo) technique we are able to equilibrate down to low temperatures, for moderate sizes, and hence the data should not be affected by critical fluctuations. Our results for short range models are consistent with a picture proposed earlier that there are large scale excitations which cost only a finite energy in the thermodynamic limit, and these excitations have a surface whose fractal dimension is less than the space dimension. For the infinite range Viana-Bray model, our results obtained for a similar number of spins are consistent with standard replica symmetry breaking.

arXiv:cond-mat/0007113•Jul 6, 2000•2 citations

Nonequilibrium spin glass dynamics with Janus

Francesco Belletti, Andrés De la Cruz, L. A. Fernández +19 more

The out of equilibrium evolution for an Edwards‐Anderson spin glass is followed for a tenth of a second, a long enough time to let us make safe predictions about the behaviour at experimental scales. This work has been made possible by Janus, an FPGA based special purpose computer. We have thoroughly studied the spin glass correlation functions and the growth of the coherence length for L = 80 lattices in 3D. Our main conclusion is that these spin glasses follow noncoarsening dynamics, at least up to the experimentally relevant time scales.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 2009•2 citations

We present a massive equilibrium simulation of the three-dimensional Ising spin glass at low temperatures. The Janus special-purpose computer has allowed us to equilibrate, using parallel tempering, L = 32 lattices down to T ≈ 0.64 T c . We demonstrate the relevance of equilibrium finite size simulations to understanding experimental non-equilibrium spin glasses in the thermodynamical limit by establishing a time-length dictionary. We conclude that non-equilibrium experiments performed on a timescale of 1 h can be matched with equilibrium results on L ≈ 110 lattices. A detailed investigation of the probability distribution functions of the spin and link overlap, as well as of their correlation functions, shows that Replica Symmetry Breaking is the appropriate theoretical framework for the physically relevant length scales. Besides, we improve over existing methodologies in ensuring equilibration in parallel tempering simulations.

Some recent progress in Monte Carlo simulations of spin glasses will be presented. The problem of slow dynamics at low temperatures is partially alleviated by use of the parallel tempering (replica exchange) method. A useful technique to check for equilibration (applicable only for a Gaussian distribution) will be discussed. It will be argued that a finite size scaling analysis of the scaled correlation length of the system is a good approach with which to investigate phase transitions in spin glasses. This method will be used to study two questions: (i) whether there is a phase transition in zero field in the Heisenberg spin glass in three dimensions, and (ii) whether there is phase transition in a magnetic field in an Ising spin glass, also in three dimensions.

I present an analysis of the dynamic behavior of short-range Ising spin glasses observed in stochastic simulations. The time dependence of the order parameter q(t)=〈

{S}_{x}

(0)

{S}_{x}

(t)〉\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}---which is the same as that of the structure factor---and the time dependence of the related dynamic correlation functions have been recorded with good statistics and very long observation times. The spin-glass model with a symmetric distribution of discrete nearest-neighbor \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}J interactions on a simple-cubic lattice was used. Simulations were performed with a special fast computer, allowing for the first-time investigation of the equilibrium dynamics for a wide range of temperatures (0.7\ensuremath{\le}kT/J\ensuremath{\le}5.0) and lattice sizes (

{8}^{3}

,

{16}^{3}

,

{32}^{3}

, and

{64}^{3}

). I have found that the empirical formula q(t)=${\mathrm{ct}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}x}$exp(-\ensuremath{\omega}${t}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}$) with temperature-dependent exponents x(T) and \ensuremath{\beta}(T) describes the decay very well at all temperatures above the spin-glass transition. In the spin-glass phase, only the algebraic decay q(t)=${\mathrm{ct}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}x}$ could be observed, with different temperature dependences of the exponent x(T). The dynamic scaling hypothesis and finite-size scaling explain well the observed temperature and size dependence of the data, and the functional form of the correlation functions is com- patible with the scaling form if corrections to scaling are taken into account. The scaling behavior and the dynamic and static critical exponents found in my simulations are in reasonable agreement with recent experiments performed on insulating spin glasses, showing that despite its simplicity the discrete model of spin glasses analyzed in this work displays behavior similar to that seen in nature.

We perform equilibrium parallel-tempering simulations of the 3D Ising Edwards–Anderson spin glass in a field, using the Janus computer. A traditional analysis shows no signs of a phase transition. However, we encounter dramatic fluctuations in the behaviour of the model: averages over all the data only describe the behaviour of a small fraction of the data. Therefore, we develop a new approach to study the equilibrium behaviour of the system, by classifying the measurements as a function of a conditioning variate. We propose a finite-size scaling analysis based on the probability distribution function of the conditioning variate, which may accelerate the convergence to the thermodynamic limit. In this way, we find a non-trivial spectrum of behaviours, where some of the measurements behave as the average, while the majority show signs of scale invariance. As a result, we can estimate the temperature interval where the phase transition in a field ought to lie, if it exists. Although this would-be critical regime is unreachable with present resources, the numerical challenge is finally well posed.

The statics-dynamics correspondence in spin glasses relate non-equilibrium results on large samples (the experimental realm) with equilibrium quantities computed on small systems (the typical arena for theoretical computations). Here we employ statics-dynamics equivalence to study the Ising spin-glass critical behavior in three dimensions. By means of Monte Carlo simulation, we follow the growth of the coherence length (the size of the glassy domains), on lattices too large to be thermalized. Thanks to the large coherence lengths we reach, we are able to obtain accurate results in excellent agreement with the best available equilibrium computations. To do so, we need to clarify the several physical meanings of the dynamic exponent close to the critical temperature.

We report the results of Monte Carlo simulations on several spin glass models at low temperatures. By using the parallel tempering (Exchange Monte Carlo) technique we are able to equilibrate down to low temperatures, for moderate sizes, and hence the data should not be affected by critical fluctuations. Our results for short range models are consistent with a picture proposed earlier that there are large scale excitations which cost only a finite energy in the thermodynamic limit, and these excitations have a surface whose fractal dimension is less than the space dimension. For the infinite range Viana-Bray model, our results obtained for a similar number of spins are consistent with standard replica symmetry breaking.

The out of equilibrium evolution for an Edwards‐Anderson spin glass is followed for a tenth of a second, a long enough time to let us make safe predictions about the behaviour at experimental scales. This work has been made possible by Janus, an FPGA based special purpose computer. We have thoroughly studied the spin glass correlation functions and the growth of the coherence length for L = 80 lattices in 3D. Our main conclusion is that these spin glasses follow noncoarsening dynamics, at least up to the experimentally relevant time scales.