Nonlinear d -dimensional vector σ models, such as O ( N ), SU ( N ), and CP N , are considered in the limit of an infinite number of components N . It is shown that the equation for the two-point correlation function in these models is similar to the Schrödinger equation for a quantum particle moving in a δ-function potential well (− T )δ( x ), where T is the temperature. This equation adequately describes the systems under study both above and below the Curie point. Within this approach, the critical behavior of the SU ( N )-invariant Ginzburg-Landau model in an external uniform magnetic field is determined in the vicinity of the upper critical magnetic field. The critical indices in this case are the same as in the spherical model in a random magnetic field. An exact equation describing the H c 2 ( T ) curve of continuous phase transitions is derived, which allows one to determine the asymptotes of this curve in strong and weak fields. The relation between the one-particle Schrödinger equation and critical phenomena is analyzed, and applications of this method to various models in solid state physics and statistical mechanics are discussed.
Nonlinear d -dimensional vector σ models, such as O ( N ), SU ( N ), and CP N , are considered in the limit of an infinite number of components N . It is shown that the equation for the two-point correlation function in these models is similar to the Schrödinger equation for a quantum particle moving in a δ-function potential well (− T )δ( x ), where T is the temperature. This equation adequately describes the systems under study both above and below the Curie point. Within this approach, the critical behavior of the SU ( N )-invariant Ginzburg-Landau model in an external uniform magnetic field is determined in the vicinity of the upper critical magnetic field. The critical indices in this case are the same as in the spherical model in a random magnetic field. An exact equation describing the H c 2 ( T ) curve of continuous phase transitions is derived, which allows one to determine the asymptotes of this curve in strong and weak fields. The relation between the one-particle Schrödinger equation and critical phenomena is analyzed, and applications of this method to various models in solid state physics and statistical mechanics are discussed.
Schrodinger equation approach to non-linear σ-models in the large N-limit
Non-linear d-dimensional vector σ-models are studied in the large N-limit. It is found that a two-point correlation function obeys a standard Schrodinger equation for a free quantum particle moving in the δ-function quantum well. The threshold problem for bound states in this equation is shown to be equivalent to a critical behavior of these models above and below the Curie point. The SU(N)- symmetric Ginzburg-Landau (GL) σ-model subject to a uniform magnetic field H is considered in the large-N limit within the Schrodinger equation approach. A upper critical magnetic field line Hc2(T) of type-II superconductors for an arbitrary external H is obtained without exploiting the lowest Landau level (LLL) approximation. Both low-H perturbation expansion terms and exponentially small corrections to the LLL approximation are calculated. Correspondences between the one-particle quantum mechanics and critical phenomena as well as some applications of the above method to other models of statistical mechanics are also discussed.
To set the stage for our subsequent thorough discussion of dynamic critical phenomena, we first review the theoretical description of second-order equilibrium phase transitions. (Readers already well acquainted with this material may readily move on to Chapter 2.) To this end, we compare the critical exponents following from the van-der-Waals equation of state for weakly interacting gases with the results from the Curie–Weiss mean-field approximation for the ferromagnetic Ising model. We then provide a unifying description in terms of Landau–Ginzburg theory, i.e., a long-wavelength expansion of the effective free energy with respect to the order parameter. The Gaussian model is analyzed, and a quantitative criterion is established that defines the circumstances when non-linear fluctuations need to be taken into account properly. Thereby we identify d c = 4 as the upper critical dimension for generic continuous phase transitions in thermal equilibrium. The most characteristic feature of a critical point turns out to be the divergence of the correlation length that renders microscopic details oblivious. As a consequence, not only the correlation functions, but remarkably the thermodynamics as well of a critical system are governed by an emergent unusual symmetry: scale invariance. A simple scaling ansatz is capable of linking different critical exponents; as an application, we introduce the basic elements of finite-size scaling. Finally, a brief sketch of Wilson's momentum shell renormalization group method is presented, intended as a pedagogical preview of the fundamental RG ideas. Exploiting the scale invariance properties at the critical point, the scaling forms of the free energy and the order parameter correlation function are derived.
We discuss some problems related to quantum critical phenomena in superfluids and superconductors. In Ch. 1, we apply generalizations of hyperuniversality to quantum phase transitions at zero temperature. We find new universal amplitude combinations involving the superfluid density in Bose systems, as well as confirm and extend previous proposals for universal transport coefficients in two-dimensional superconducting films and magnetic-field-induced metal-insulator transitions. In Ch. 2, we apply the double-dimensionality expansion of Dorogovstev to derive renormalization-group recursion relations for a Bose fluid in a random external potential. We find a nontrivial fixed point. The onset of mean-field behavior for dimensions d > d[subscript]c = 4 is unconventional, yielding discontinuous exponents. Including positive temperatures, we give a clear picture of various crossover regimes. In Ch. 3, We give a detailed derivation of the critical thermodynamics of O(n) spin models, correct to O([epsilon] = 4 - d), using a generalization of the renormalization-group trajectory integral and noncritical matching technique introduced by Rudnick and Nelson. We especially emphasize the coexistence-curve behavior for spins with a continuous symmetry (n [...] 2), deriving detailed expressions for the renormalized spin-wave stiffness and longitudinal susceptibility.
The partition function for interacting bosons is derived as the coherent state path integral and then generalized to magnetic transitions. Phase transitions in the Ginzburg–Landau–Wilson theory for a fluctuating order parameter are discussed in Hartree's and Landau's approximations, and the fundamental limitation of perturbation theory near the critical point is exposed. The concept of upper critical dimension is introduced. Partition function for interacting bosons As a prototypical system with a continuous phase transition we will consider the system of interacting bosons. A well studied physical realization is provided by helium ( 4 He) with the pressure–temperature phase diagram as depicted in Fig. 2.1. Since the atoms of helium are light and interact via weak dipole–dipole interactions, due to quantum zero-point motion helium stays liquid down to the lowest temperatures, at not too high pressures. Instead of solidifying it suffers a continuous normal liquid–superfluid liquid transition at T c ≈ 2K, also called the λ-transition due to the characteristic form of the specific heat in Fig. 1.6. The λ-transition represents the best quantitatively understood critical point in nature. We have already quoted the specific heat exponent α = -0.0127 ± 0.0003, with the power-law behavior being observed over six decades of the reduced temperature! To achieve this accuracy the experiment had to be performed in the space shuttle so that the small variations in Tc along the height of the sample due to Earth's gravity would be minimized. At higher pressures He eventually solidifies, with the superfluid–solid and the normal liquid–solid phase transitions being discontinuous, the former being so rather weakly.
"Critical point phenomena in magnetic systems are studied with the aid of the scaling laws. These laws relate the critical indices which describe the behavior of thermodynamic and correlation functions near T. Kadanoff's derivation of the scaling 1aw is reviewed. An experimental survey of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic data near T is presented. Susceptibility, correlation length, magnectization, specific heat and a magnetic equation of state are discussed. It is found that the ""critical region"" can extend as far as [equation] although frequently it is restricted to E < 10-2 The critical indices S, y, v, ~ and ~, are close to the three dimensional ISing model values. Values for 0, y' and ~ are not known as conclusively. Specific heat behavior is discussed in terms -~ of a three-parameter fit, namely C = aE + b. Varying b allows one to estimate a possible range of a's. The experimental information is consistent with the scaling law relations 2 - alpha = 2 - alpha' = dV = d gamma / (2-pi) = gamma + 2B = B(d+1) The scaling law theory is extended to predict the temperature, field and spatial dependence of various spin correlation functions. These predictions are checked by analytic calculations for the two dimensional Ising model in zero field. Results are presented for the energy density-energy density and energy density-spin correlation functions in the limit E « 1, R » 1, but the product ER arbitrary. Results are also presented for a group of two, three and four spin correlations at cT. In each case the scaling law predictions are verified."
The development of methods of quantum statistical mechanics is considered in light of their applications to quantum solid-state theory. We discuss fundamental problems of the physics of magnetic materials and the methods of the quantum theory of magnetism, including the method of two-time temperature Green’s functions, which is widely used in various physical problems of many-particle systems with interaction. Quantum cooperative effects and quasi-particle dynamics in the basic microscopic models of quantum theory of magnetism: the Heisenberg model, the Hubbard model, the Anderson Model, and the spinfermion model are considered in the framework of novel self-consistent-field approximation. We present a comparative analysis of these models; in particular, we compare their applicability for description of complex magnetic materials. The concepts of broken symmetry, quantum protectorate, and quasi-averages are analyzed in the context of quantum theory of magnetism and theory of superconductivity. The notion of broken symmetry is presented within the nonequilibrium statistical operator approach developed by D.N. Zubarev. In the framework of the latter approach we discuss the derivation of kinetic equations for a system in a thermal bath. Finally, the results of investigation of the dynamic behavior of a particle in an environment, taking into account dissipative effects, are presented.