We study renormalization group flows in a space of observables computed by Monte Carlo simulations. As an example, we consider three-dimensional clock models, i.e., the XY spin model perturbed by a Z_{q} symmetric anisotropy field. For q=4, 5, 6, a scaling function with two relevant arguments describes all stages of the complex renormalization flow at the critical point and in the ordered phase, including the crossover from the U(1) Nambu-Goldstone fixed point to the ultimate Z_{q} symmetry-breaking fixed point. We expect our method to be useful in the context of quantum-critical points with inherent dangerously irrelevant operators that cannot be tuned away microscopically but whose renormalization flows can be analyzed as we do here for the clock models.
Many results of the mean-field theory of spin-glasses violate simple scaling laws, including the magnetic field dependence of the transition lines, crossover effects of random anisotropy, and critical behavior in the ordered phase. These violations arise from two dangerously irrelevant variables. Below eight dimensions some mean-field exponents change and at
d=6 scaling is restored. Below
d=6 all scaling laws should be valid implying that the critical properties of real spin-glasses should be simpler than in mean-field theory. Experimental consequences are discussed.
Abstract Phase transitions and critical phenomena are among the most intriguing phenomena in nature and the renormalization-group theory for them is one of the greatest achievements of theoretical physics. However, the predictions of the theory above an upper critical dimension d c seriously disagree with reality. In addition to its fundamental significance, the problem is also of practical importance because both complex classical systems with long-range spatial or temporal interactions and quantum phase transitions with long-range interactions can substantially lower d c . The extant scenarios built on a dangerous irrelevant variable (DIV) to resolve the problem introduce two sets of critical exponents and even two sets of scaling laws whose origin is obscure. Here, we consider the DIV from a different perspective and clearly unveil the origin of the two sets of exponents and hence the intrinsic inconsistency in those scenarios. We then develop an effective-dimension theory in which critical fluctuations and system volume are fixed at an effective dimension by the DIV. This enables us to account for all the extant results consistently. A novel asymptotic finite-size scaling behavior for a correlation function together with a new anomalous dimension and its associated scaling law is also predicted. We also apply the theory to quantum phase transitions.
In the 1960's, four famous scaling relations were developed which relate the six standard critical exponents describing continuous phase transitions in the thermodynamic limit of statistical physics models. They are well understood at a fundamental level through the renormalization group. They have been verified in multitudes of theoretical, computational and experimental studies and are firmly established and profoundly important for our understanding of critical phenomena. One of the scaling relations, hyperscaling, fails above the upper critical dimension. There, critical phenomena are governed by Gaussian fixed points in the renormalization-group formalism. Dangerous irrelevant variables are required to deliver the mean-field and Landau values of the critical exponents, which are deemed valid by the Ginzburg criterion. Also above the upper critical dimension, the standard picture is that, unlike for low-dimensional systems, finite-size scaling is non-universal. Here we report on new developments which indicate that the current paradigm is flawed and incomplete. In particular, the introduction of a new exponent characterising the finite-size correlation length allows one to extend hyperscaling beyond the upper critical dimension. Moreover, finite-size scaling is shown to be universal provided the correct scaling window is chosen. These recent developments also lead to the introduction of a new scaling relation analogous to one introduced by Fisher 50 years ago.
Symmetry breaking plays a pivotal role in modern physics. Although self-similarity is also a symmetry, and appears ubiquitously in nature, a fundamental question arises as to whether self-similarity breaking makes sense or not. Here, by identifying an important type of critical fluctuation, dubbed ‘phases fluctuations’, and comparing the numerical results for those with self-similarity and those lacking self-similarity with respect to phases fluctuations, we show that self-similarity can indeed be broken, with significant consequences, at least in nonequilibrium situations. We find that the breaking of self-similarity results in new critical exponents, giving rise to a violation of the well-known finite-size scaling, or the less well-known finite-time scaling, and different leading exponents in either the ordered or the disordered phases of the paradigmatic Ising model on two- or three-dimensional finite lattices, when subject to the simplest nonequilibrium driving of linear heating or cooling through its critical point. This is in stark contrast to identical exponents and different amplitudes in usual critical phenomena. Our results demonstrate how surprising driven nonequilibrium critical phenomena can be. The application of this theory to other classical and quantum phase transitions is also anticipated.
In this master thesis the criticality of the 3D XY model with cubic anisotropy has been examined by the means of Monte Carlo simulation. The 3D XY model is a special case of the
O(n) spin-vector model which describe numerous phenomena's. Here,
n is the number of vector dimensions and for the XY model
n=2. The
O(n)-model is invariant for global rotations. This means that it is arbitrary which direction in the symmetry breaking occurs. In real system one should always expect perturbations from a perfect system, here it is done by adding a cubic anisotropy (order
p=4) then the symmetry of the Hamiltonian is lowered and it will be advantageous for the spins to be ordered in directions
90o apart. This symmetry is called
C4, which is a part of the cyclic group, and it restricts the symmetry breaking to one of these four directions. \n\nThe criticality of this model is when the spins suddenly align as the temperature is lowered to a critical temperature. Sufficiently close to the critical temperature quantities like the magnetization, which is the sum of spins, will show a power law growth characterised by critical exponents specified by the class of universality of the transition. The critical exponents can be obtained by finite-size scaling. By applying renormalization theory on the critical region one can show that some of parameters in the Hamiltonian are: relevant and effect the scaling, irrelevant and does not effect the scaling and dangerously irrelevant meaning that they only affect some of the critical exponents. Previous Monte Carlo and renormalization calculus show that anisotropy which is relevant for
p<4 becomes dangerously irrelevant for
pgeq4. The question of interest is what kind of effect the dangerously irrelevant parameter in the Hamiltonian has on the scaling. This is interesting because the effect of dangerously irrelevant parameters is hardly studied and anisotropy arise in many crystal systems because of the lattice geometry. \n\nThe results are obtained by Monte Carlo simulations and the critical slowing down close to the phase transition is solved by the method of parallel tempering. This method was chosen because it is simple to implement in a parallel code.\n\nThe Binder cumulant for different quantities and the peak of the magnetic susceptibility was used support a critical temperature
Tc=2.2019textnormalk for no field applied and no anisotropy. The known critical exponents for the no field and no anisotropy was used. The scaling made a good collapse, meaning that the right
Tc and the correct critical exponents where used. The scaling did not take into account a magnetic field and therefore a good collapse of curves where not obtained in this case. When the cubic anisotropy was added the critical exponent for the magnetic susceptibility and the cubic order parameter changed, while the other exponents where unchanged. This supports the view that cubic anisotropy is dangerously irrelevant for the 3D XY model. The scaling of the magnetic susceptibility showed a possible new kind of scaling, a scaling which is different on the two sides of the transition. Although a more accurate determination of the critical exponent in the ordered phase require more extensive simulations. It appears that this exponent is larger than the exponent in the disordered phase, where one recovered the isotropic exponent. The difference in the critical exponents has been predicted to increase with
p and an investigation of the hexagonal anisotropy
p=6 has been started.