We study two models having an infinite-disorder critical point — the zero temperature random transverse-field Ising model and the random contact process — on a star-like network composed of M semi-infinite chains connected to a common central site. By the strong disorder renormalization group method, the scaling dimension xM of the local order parameter at the junction is calculated. It is found to decrease rapidly with the number M of arms, but remains positive for any finite M . This means that, in contrast with the pure transverse-field Ising model, where the transition becomes of first order for M > 2, it remains continuous in the disordered models, although, for not too small M , it is hardly distinguishable from a discontinuous one owing to a close-to-zero xM . The scaling behavior of the order parameter in the Griffiths-McCoy phase is also analyzed.We study two models having an infinite-disorder critical point — the zero temperature random transverse-field Ising model and the random contact process — on a star-like network composed of M semi-infinite chains connected to a common central site. By the strong disorder renormalization group method, the scaling dimension xM of the local order parameter at the junction is calculated. It is found to decrease rapidly with the number M of arms, but remains positive for any finite M . This means that, in contrast with the pure transverse-field Ising model, where the transition becomes of first order for M > 2, it remains continuous in the disordered models, although, for not too small M , it is hardly distinguishable from a discontinuous one owing to a close-to-zero xM . The scaling behavior of the order parameter in the Griffiths-McCoy phase is also analyzed.

Jan 1, 20143 citations

Critical behavior of random transverse-field Ising spin chains

Daniel S. Fisher

A real-space renormalization-group treatment of random transverse-field Ising spin chains that was introduced previously is developed and extensively analyzed. It yields results that are asymptotically exact in the critical region near the zero-temperature para-to-ferromagnetic quantum phase transition. In particular, the exact scaling function is obtained for the magnetization as a function of a uniform applied magnetic field and the distance to the critical point, and up to the solution of a linear ordinary differential equation whose solution can be exhaustively analyzed, the scaling function of the average spin-spin correlation function is also obtained. Thus more exact information is obtainable about the critical behavior for this random model than is known for the pure version which is equivalent to the two-dimensional Ising model. The basic reason for this is the extremely broad distribution of energy scales that occurs at low energies near the critical point of the random system. For the random chain the distribution of the magnetization of the first spin in a semi-infinite system is also studied and the results found to agree in the scaling limit with results of McCoy obtained from the exact solution of the closely related McCoy-Wu Ising model; this provides strong justification for the validity of the present approach. The singular properties of the weakly ordered and weakly disordered ``Griffiths' phases'' that occur at zero temperature near the critical point are also studied, as well as the behavior at low but nonzero temperature. Possible extensions of the results and general lessons drawn from them for other random systems are briefly discussed.A real-space renormalization-group treatment of random transverse-field Ising spin chains that was introduced previously is developed and extensively analyzed. It yields results that are asymptotically exact in the critical region near the zero-temperature para-to-ferromagnetic quantum phase transition. In particular, the exact scaling function is obtained for the magnetization as a function of a uniform applied magnetic field and the distance to the critical point, and up to the solution of a linear ordinary differential equation whose solution can be exhaustively analyzed, the scaling function of the average spin-spin correlation function is also obtained. Thus more exact information is obtainable about the critical behavior for this random model than is known for the pure version which is equivalent to the two-dimensional Ising model. The basic reason for this is the extremely broad distribution of energy scales that occurs at low energies near the critical point of the random system. For the random chain the distribution of the magnetization of the first spin in a semi-infinite system is also studied and the results found to agree in the scaling limit with results of McCoy obtained from the exact solution of the closely related McCoy-Wu Ising model; this provides strong justification for the validity of the present approach. The singular properties of the weakly ordered and weakly disordered ``Griffiths' phases'' that occur at zero temperature near the critical point are also studied, as well as the behavior at low but nonzero temperature. Possible extensions of the results and general lessons drawn from them for other random systems are briefly discussed.

Physical review. B, Condensed matterMar 1, 1995828 citations

Renormalization group study of the two-dimensional random transverse-field Ising model

István A. Kovács, Ferenc Iglói

The infinite-disorder fixed point of the random transverse-field Ising model is expected to control the critical behavior of a large class of random quantum and stochastic systems having an order parameter with discrete symmetry. Here we study the model on the square lattice with a very efficient numerical implementation of the strong disorder renormalization group method, which makes us possible to treat finite samples of linear size up to $L=2048$ . We have calculated sample dependent pseudocritical points and studied their distribution, which is found to be characterized by the same shift and width exponent: $\ensuremath{\nu}=1.24(2)$. For different types of disorder the infinite-disorder fixed point is shown to be characterized by the same set of critical exponents, for which we have obtained improved estimates: $x=0.982(15)$ and $\ensuremath{\psi}=0.48(2)$. We have also studied the scaling behavior of the magnetization in the vicinity of the critical point as well as dynamical scaling in the ordered and disordered Griffiths phases.The infinite-disorder fixed point of the random transverse-field Ising model is expected to control the critical behavior of a large class of random quantum and stochastic systems having an order parameter with discrete symmetry. Here we study the model on the square lattice with a very efficient numerical implementation of the strong disorder renormalization group method, which makes us possible to treat finite samples of linear size up to $L=2048$. We have calculated sample dependent pseudocritical points and studied their distribution, which is found to be characterized by the same shift and width exponent: $\ensuremath{\nu}=1.24(2)$. For different types of disorder the infinite-disorder fixed point is shown to be characterized by the same set of critical exponents, for which we have obtained improved estimates: $x=0.982(15)$ and $\ensuremath{\psi}=0.48(2)$. We have also studied the scaling behavior of the magnetization in the vicinity of the critical point as well as dynamical scaling in the ordered and disordered Griffiths phases.

arXiv:1005.4740Physical Review BAug 31, 2010105 citations

Mixed-order phase transition of the contact process near multiple junctions

Róbert Juhász, Ferenc Iglói

We have studied the phase transition of the contact process near a multiple junction of M semi-infinite chains by Monte Carlo simulations. As opposed to the continuous transitions of the translationally invariant (M=2) and semi-infinite (M=1) system, the local order parameter is found to be discontinuous for M>2. Furthermore, the temporal correlation length diverges algebraically as the critical point is approached, but with different exponents on the two sides of the transition. In the active phase, the estimate is compatible with the bulk value, while in the inactive phase it exceeds the bulk value and increases with M. The unusual local critical behavior is explained by a scaling theory with an irrelevant variable, which becomes dangerous in the inactive phase. Quenched spatial disorder is found to make the transition continuous in agreement with earlier renormalization group results.We have studied the phase transition of the contact process near a multiple junction of M semi-infinite chains by Monte Carlo simulations. As opposed to the continuous transitions of the translationally invariant (M=2) and semi-infinite (M=1) system, the local order parameter is found to be discontinuous for M>2. Furthermore, the temporal correlation length diverges algebraically as the critical point is approached, but with different exponents on the two sides of the transition. In the active phase, the estimate is compatible with the bulk value, while in the inactive phase it exceeds the bulk value and increases with M. The unusual local critical behavior is explained by a scaling theory with an irrelevant variable, which becomes dangerous in the inactive phase. Quenched spatial disorder is found to make the transition continuous in agreement with earlier renormalization group results.

arXiv:1612.02999Physical review. EFeb 7, 201718 citations

Critical behavior and entanglement of the random transverse-field Ising model between one and two dimensions

István A. Kovács, Ferenc Iglói

We consider disordered ladders of the transverse-field Ising model and study their critical properties and entanglement entropy for varying width, $w\ensuremath{\le}20$, by numerical application of the strong disorder renormalization group method. We demonstrate that the critical properties of the ladders for any finite $w$ are controlled by the infinite disorder fixed point of the random chain and the correction to scaling exponents contain information about the two-dimensional model. We calculate sample dependent pseudocritical points and study the shift of the mean values as well as scaling of the width of the distributions and show that both are characterized by the same exponent, $\ensuremath{\nu}(2d)$. We also study scaling of the critical magnetization, investigate critical dynamical scaling as well as the behavior of the critical entanglement entropy. Analyzing the $w$ dependence of the results we have obtained accurate estimates for the critical exponents of the two-dimensional model: $\ensuremath{\nu}(2d)=1.25(8)$, $x(2d)=0.996(15)$ , and $\ensuremath{\psi}(2d)=0.51(3)$.We consider disordered ladders of the transverse-field Ising model and study their critical properties and entanglement entropy for varying width, $w\ensuremath{\le}20$, by numerical application of the strong disorder renormalization group method. We demonstrate that the critical properties of the ladders for any finite $w$ are controlled by the infinite disorder fixed point of the random chain and the correction to scaling exponents contain information about the two-dimensional model. We calculate sample dependent pseudocritical points and study the shift of the mean values as well as scaling of the width of the distributions and show that both are characterized by the same exponent, $\ensuremath{\nu}(2d)$. We also study scaling of the critical magnetization, investigate critical dynamical scaling as well as the behavior of the critical entanglement entropy. Analyzing the $w$ dependence of the results we have obtained accurate estimates for the critical exponents of the two-dimensional model: $\ensuremath{\nu}(2d)=1.25(8)$, $x(2d)=0.996(15)$, and $\ensuremath{\psi}(2d)=0.51(3)$.

arXiv:0909.4442Physical Review BDec 17, 200946 citations

Exact renormalization of the random transverse-field Ising spin chain in the strongly ordered and strongly disordered Griffiths phases

Ferenc Iglói

Fisher's [Phys. Rev. B $51,$ 6411 (1995)] real-space renormalization-group (RG) treatment of random transverse-field Ising spin chains is extended into the strongly ordered and strongly disordered Griffiths phases, and asymptotically exact results are obtained. In the noncritical region the asymmetry of the renormalization of the couplings and the transverse fields is related to a nonlinear quantum control parameter \ensuremath{\Delta}, which is a natural measure of the distance from the quantum critical point. \ensuremath{\Delta}, which is found to stay invariant along the RG trajectories, and has been expressed by the initial disorder distributions, stands in the singularity exponents of different physical quantities (magnetization, susceptibility, specific heat, etc.), which are exactly calculated. In this way we have observed a weak-universality scenario: the Griffiths-McCoy singularities do not depend on the form of the disorder, provided the nonlinear quantum control parameter has the same value. The exact scaling function of the magnetization with a small applied magnetic field is calculated, and the critical point magnetization singularity is determined in a simple, direct way.Fisher's [Phys. Rev. B $51,$ 6411 (1995)] real-space renormalization-group (RG) treatment of random transverse-field Ising spin chains is extended into the strongly ordered and strongly disordered Griffiths phases, and asymptotically exact results are obtained. In the noncritical region the asymmetry of the renormalization of the couplings and the transverse fields is related to a nonlinear quantum control parameter \ensuremath{\Delta}, which is a natural measure of the distance from the quantum critical point. \ensuremath{\Delta}, which is found to stay invariant along the RG trajectories, and has been expressed by the initial disorder distributions, stands in the singularity exponents of different physical quantities (magnetization, susceptibility, specific heat, etc.), which are exactly calculated. In this way we have observed a weak-universality scenario: the Griffiths-McCoy singularities do not depend on the form of the disorder, provided the nonlinear quantum control parameter has the same value. The exact scaling function of the magnetization with a small applied magnetic field is calculated, and the critical point magnetization singularity is determined in a simple, direct way.

arXiv:cond-mat/0108350Physical review. B, Condensed matterJan 16, 200260 citations

L=2048

. We have calculated sample dependent pseudocritical points and studied their distribution, which is found to be characterized by the same shift and width exponent: $\ensuremath{\nu}=1.24(2)$. For different types of disorder the infinite-disorder fixed point is shown to be characterized by the same set of critical exponents, for which we have obtained improved estimates:

x=0.982(15)

and $\ensuremath{\psi}=0.48(2)$. We have also studied the scaling behavior of the magnetization in the vicinity of the critical point as well as dynamical scaling in the ordered and disordered Griffiths phases.

w

are controlled by the infinite disorder fixed point of the random chain and the correction to scaling exponents contain information about the two-dimensional model. We calculate sample dependent pseudocritical points and study the shift of the mean values as well as scaling of the width of the distributions and show that both are characterized by the same exponent, $\ensuremath{\nu}(2d)$. We also study scaling of the critical magnetization, investigate critical dynamical scaling as well as the behavior of the critical entanglement entropy. Analyzing the

w

dependence of the results we have obtained accurate estimates for the critical exponents of the two-dimensional model: $\ensuremath{\nu}(2d)=1.25(8)$,

x(2d)=0.996(15)

, and $\ensuremath{\psi}(2d)=0.51(3)$.

Fisher's [Phys. Rev. B

51,

6411 (1995)] real-space renormalization-group (RG) treatment of random transverse-field Ising spin chains is extended into the strongly ordered and strongly disordered Griffiths phases, and asymptotically exact results are obtained. In the noncritical region the asymmetry of the renormalization of the couplings and the transverse fields is related to a nonlinear quantum control parameter \ensuremath{\Delta}, which is a natural measure of the distance from the quantum critical point. \ensuremath{\Delta}, which is found to stay invariant along the RG trajectories, and has been expressed by the initial disorder distributions, stands in the singularity exponents of different physical quantities (magnetization, susceptibility, specific heat, etc.), which are exactly calculated. In this way we have observed a weak-universality scenario: the Griffiths-McCoy singularities do not depend on the form of the disorder, provided the nonlinear quantum control parameter has the same value. The exact scaling function of the magnetization with a small applied magnetic field is calculated, and the critical point magnetization singularity is determined in a simple, direct way.