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Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General

Logarithmic singularity in the surface free energy near commensurate-incommensurate transitions

Wenfei Li, Hyunggyu Park

Published Jan 7, 1991• 9 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The authors study finite-size-scaling behaviour of a two-dimensional random tiling model. This model exhibits commensurate-incommensurate phase transitions of the Pokrovsky-Talapov type where anisotropic scaling appears. A simple scaling argument near this transition suggests an integral surface critical exponent which, in turn, implies a logarithmic singularity with a universal coefficient in the surface free energy. They confirm the existence of this singularity numerically employing the transfer matrix method in the case of free boundary conditions.

DOI
10.1088/0305-4470/24/1/032

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The authors study finite-size-scaling behaviour of a two-dimensional random tiling model. This model exhibits commensurate-incommensurate phase transitions of the Pokrovsky-Talapov type where anisotropic scaling appears. A simple scaling argument near this transition suggests an integral surface critical exponent which, in turn, implies a logarithmic singularity with a universal coefficient in the surface free energy. They confirm the existence of this singularity numerically employing the transfer matrix method in the case of free boundary conditions.
The authors study finite-size corrections to the free energy in a two-dimensional random tiling model. This model is equivalent to an asymmetric six-vertex model and exhibits commensurate-incommensurate phase transitions of the Pokrovsky-Talapov type. They calculate finite-size scaling amplitudes of the free energy inside the incommensurate phase, analytically and numerically, by employing a transfer matrix method. Both periodic and free boundary conditions are considered. These amplitudes are consistent with predictions of the theory of conformal invariance with the conformal charge c=1.
We discuss the universality classes of the local critical behavior of a bulk system near a free surface and near an internal plane of defects. A phase diagram and plausible renormalization-group flow properties for a general model which encompasses both cases are described qualitatively. Several of the crossover exponents are related to bulk critical exponents or semi-infinite surface critical exponents. The picture which is proposed accomodates systems with nonuniversal local critical exponents near a plane of defects, such as the two-dimensional Ising model near a defect line, in a natural way. Necessary conditions for nonuniversal local critical exponents and for logarithmic corrections are derived. The singularities of the energy densities near a free surface and near an internal defect plane on approaching the bulk critical temperature are analyzed.
The authors present a simple argument showing that the surface energy density of a semi-infinite d-dimensional spin system has, in general, a leading thermal singularity of the same form, mod T-T c mod 2- alpha , as the bulk free energy. At bulk criticality energy-energy correlations decay as r -2d parallel to the surface. These results hold for both free and fixed boundary spins, i.e. the 'ordinary' and 'extraordinary' transitions. The extraordinary critical behaviour of the magnetisation is the same as that of the energy density. They also confirm and generalise these results in two dimensions with an independent approach based on conformal invariance.
A review is given of recent work on the ordinary surface critical behaviour of systems in two dimensions. Several models of interest in statistical mechanics are considered: Potts model, percolation, Ising clusters, ZN-model, O(n) model and polymers. Numerical results for surface exponents, obtained by suitable finite size scaling extrapolations, are discussed in the light of recent advances based on the conformal invariance approach. Surface exponents are often seen as important tests of conformal invariance predictions. In other cases these exponents provide important information for a location of the problem within the classification schemes offered by the conformal approach, and a determination of its universality class. A relevant example of the first aspect is the study of the q-state Potts model with q near 4, for which an analytical study of logarithmic scaling corrections is needed to achieve a successful test. The latter point of view applies, e.g., to the more controversial cases of polymers at the theta point and critical Ising clusters. Emphasis is put on the importance of an integrated study of both bulk and surface properties. Relevant issues, like the possible existence of analytical expressions for the indices in particular model families, or of general relationships between bulk and surface exponents, are critically discussed. The new problem of critical behaviour at fractal boundaries is also considered for random (RW) and self-avoiding walks (SAW). From the numerical analysis of this problem remarkable universalities of the surface exponents seem to emerge, which, in the case of SAW’s, are still far from being understood.
We calculate finite-size effects of the Gaussian model in a Lx(d-1) box geometry with free boundary conditions in one direction and periodic boundary conditions in d-1 directions for 2<d<4. We also consider film geometry (L--> infinity ). Finite-size scaling is found to be valid for d<3 and d>3 but logarithmic deviations from finite-size scaling are found for the free energy and energy density at the Gaussian upper borderline dimension d*=3. The logarithms are related to the vanishing critical exponent 1-alpha-nu=(d-3)/2 of the Gaussian surface energy density. The latter has a cusplike singularity in d>3 dimensions. We show that these properties are the origin of nonscaling finite-size effects in the mean spherical model with free boundary conditions in d > or =3 dimensions. At bulk T(c), in d=3 dimensions we find an unexpected nonlogarithmic violation of finite-size scaling for the susceptibility chi approximately L3 of the mean spherical model in film geometry, whereas only a logarithmic deviation chi approximately L2 ln L exists for box geometry. The result for film geometry is explained by the existence of the lower borderline dimension d(l)=3, as implied by the Mermin-Wagner theorem, that coincides with the Gaussian upper borderline dimension d*=3. For 3<d<4 we find a power-law violation of scaling chi approximately L(d-1) at bulk T(c) for box geometry and a nonscaling temperature dependence chi(surface) approximately xi(d) of the surface susceptibility above T(c). For 2<d<3 dimensions we show the validity of universal finite-size scaling for the susceptibility of the mean spherical model with free boundary conditions for both box and film geometry and calculate the corresponding universal scaling functions for T > or =T(c).
Based on finite-size scaling ideas a new approach to analyse the singularities associated with second-order phase transitions is presented. Under certain requirements, the method allows to derive an upper limit for the critical exponent from finite-size data that describe the system far away from the transition. By extrapolation the critical exponent ν is determined. As an example, the approach is applied to the metal-insulator transition in disordered systems. The result ν = 1.35 ± 0.15 is independent of the employed random distribution. With field theoretical arguments we discuss and generalize this result. Our results are consistent with the assumption that one-parameter scaling and universality are valid in the 3D Anderson model.