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arXiv:1302.6575

Finite-size and Fluctuation Effects on Phase Transition and Critical Phenomena using Mean-Field Approach Based on Renormalized $ϕ^{4}$ Model: I. Theory

R.M. Keumo Tsiaze, S. E. Mkam Tchouobiap, A. J. Fotué, C. Kenfack-Sadem, J. E. Danga, C. Lukong Faï, Mahouton Norbert Hounkonnou

Published Feb 26, 2013• 0 citations
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Abstract

An investigation of the spatial fluctuations and their manifestations in the vicinity of the quantum critical point within the framework of the renormalized $ϕ^{4}$ theory is proposed. Relevant features are reported through the Ginzburg-Landau-Wilson (GLW)-based calculations, combined with an efficient non perturbative technique. Both the dimension and size, but also microscopic details of the system, leading to critical behavior, and strongly deviating from the classical mean-field approach far from the thermodynamic limit, are taken into account. Further, the important role that harmonic and anharmonic fluctuations and finite-size effects can play in the determination of the characteristic properties of corresponding various systems, involving phase transitions and critical phenomena, is then discussed in detail with emphasis on the qualitative validity of the analysis

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.1302.6575

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An investigation of the spatial fluctuations and their manifestations in the vicinity of the quantum critical point within the framework of the renormalized ϕ4ϕ^{4}ϕ4 theory is proposed. Relevant features are reported through the Ginzburg-Landau-Wilson (GLW)-based calculations, combined with an efficient non perturbative technique. Both the dimension and size, but also microscopic details of the system, leading to critical behavior, and strongly deviating from the classical mean-field approach far from the thermodynamic limit, are taken into account. Further, the important role that harmonic and anharmonic fluctuations and finite-size effects can play in the determination of the characteristic properties of corresponding various systems, involving phase transitions and critical phenomena, is then discussed in detail with emphasis on the qualitative validity of the analysis
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These lectures describe the physics of phase transitions and critical phenomena. After introducing the thermodynamics of phase transitions, these general considerations are made explicit by presenting statistical mechanical calculations on a lattice gas model in the mean-field approximation. Then the Landau theory of phase transitions is presented. The form of free energy in the Landau theory is motivated by an explicit mean field calculation for the Ising model. This is followed by a discussion of spatial correlations and the breakdown of the mean field theory due to increase of spatial fluctuations near the critical point. This calculation also brings out the role of dimension of the system for the critical behaviour. The basic ideas of Renormalization Group (RG) are then introduced and illustrated by a simple RG calculation for the one-dimensional Ising model. Real-space RG calculations are then applied to the two-dimensional Ising model on the triangular lattice, which, in fact, brings forth several key features of the RG technique. A discussion of more general aspects of the RG formalism, such as scaling for spatial correlation functions, relevant and irrelevant couplings, universality, upper critical dimension, etc. are introduced.
Abstract Mean-field theory is usually taken as a first step toward understanding critical phenomena, providing an overview that reveals qualitative behaviour of physical quantities. However, it is necessary to proceed beyond the mean-field theory to better understand the situation, both qualitatively and quantitatively, when fluctuations play vital roles leading to exponents that cannot be explained by dimensional analysis, thus introducing anomalous dimensions. The present chapter explains the basic concepts of the renormalization group and scaling theory, which allow us to analyze critical phenomena with fluctuations systematically taken into account. The essential step in a renormalization group calculation consists of establishing recursion relations between the parameters defining the Hamiltonian of the system. These recursion or renormalization group equations define a flow with well-defined fixed points. Details other than the values of the relevant operators have no influence on the critical exponents and this represents universality.
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Introduction Our discussion of critical phenomena surrounding a second-order phase transition has thus far focused only on qualitative features. We have now examined three systems, fluids, magnets and random percolation, each of which displays an abruptly sharp transition from a less ordered to a more ordered phase as the respective transition point is encountered. Each shows a similar pattern of developing structure just in advance of the critical point. Fluctuations in the respective order parameter display a self-similar structure that is limited only by a single relevant length scale, the correlation length ξ, which diverges on approach to the transition point. For fluids and magnets, this structure arises from inherent fluctuations that are amplified by either a diverging compressibility or susceptibility, respectively. In this chapter, we explore more quantitative, theoretical approaches taken to understand the features of second-order phase transitions. The simplest of these are the mean field theories , in which the pairwise interaction (needed to produce a phase transition) is introduced in the form of an average field. In this approach, the effects of the growing fluctuations of the order parameter near the critical point are ignored. Although the mean field approach does meet many of the requirements and does predict divergences of certain quantities near the transition, the critical exponents predicted by the theory do not match those seen experimentally. Obtaining correct exponents requires a more advanced approach involving renormalization techniques that exploit the self-similar structure of the fluctuations near the critical point and allow all of the various critical exponents to be inter-related, such that knowledge of any two yields all the others.
Abstract Interacting many-particle systems may undergo phase transitions and exhibit critical phenomena in the limit of infinite system size, while the precursors of these phenomena are studied in the theory of finite-size scaling. After surveying the basic notions of phases, phase diagrams, and phase transitions, this chapter focuses on critical behaviour at a second-order phase transition. The Landau-Ginzburg theory and the concept of scaling prepare readers for an elementary introduction to the concepts of the renormalization group, followed by an introduction into the field of quantum phase transitions where quantum fluctuations take over the role of thermal fluctuations.