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Oxford University Press eBooks

Renormalization group: General formulation

Jean Zinn‐Justin

Published Jul 5, 2007• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

This chapter introduces the general concept of renormalization group in the spirit of the work. It studies the role of fixed points and their stability properties. It exhibits a particular fixed point, the Gaussian fixed point, which is stable in dimension larger than four. It identifies the leading perturbation to the Gaussian fixed point in dimension = four. It discusses the possible existence of a non-Gaussian fixed point near dimension four.

DOI
10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199227198.003.0009

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This chapter uses the assumptions introduced in Chapter 9 to show that it is indeed possible to find a non-Gaussian fixed point in dimension d = 4 - e, both in models with reflection and rotation symmetries. It briefly introduces the field theory methods that will be described more thoroughly in the following chapters. Finally, it presents a selection of numerical results concerning critical exponents and some universal amplitude ratios.

Oxford University Press eBooks•Jul 5, 2007•0 citations

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Phase Transitions and Renormalization Group: from Theory to Numbers

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The large distance behaviour, near the critical temperature, of continuous phase transitions with short range interactions can be reproduced by an effective local field theory. Within this framework, the universal properties of the large distance can be determined by finding fixed points of general, functional renormalization group (RG) equations (Wilson, Wegner). For dimension D > 4, the large scale behavior is governed by the Gaussian fixed point (related to mean field theory), while for D < 4 the Gaussian fixed point is unstable. Near D = 4, the RG equations can be solved in the form of an ǫ = 4 − D expansion, a new stable fixed point is found and this leads to the famous Wilson-Fisher expansion for critical exponents and other universal quantities. Moreover, one realizes that, in this framework, the effective field theory can be reduced to a renormalizable field theory and, at leading order in the critical domain, the much simpler quantum field theory renormalization group can be used. A number of physicists, including the Saclay group (Brezin, Le Guillou, Zinn-Justin) have developed sophisticated field theory techniques, to prove general scaling laws and to calculate exponents to higher orders [1].

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Nonexistence of the non-Gaussian fixed point predicted by the RG field theory in 4-epsilon dimensions

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The Ginzburg-Landau phase transition model is considered in d=4-epsilon dimensions within the renormalization group (RG) approach. The problem of existence of the non-Gaussian fixed point is discussed. An equation is derived from the first principles of the RG theory (under the assumption that the fixed point exists) for calculation of the correction-to-scaling term in the asymptotic expansion of the two-point correlation (Green's) function. It is demonstrated clearly that, within the framework of the standard methods (well justified in the vicinity of the fixed point) used in the perturbative RG theory, this equation leads to an unremovable contradiction with the known RG results. Thus, in its very basics, the RG field theory in 4-epsilon dimensions is contradictory. To avoid the contradiction, we conclude that such a non-Gaussian fixed point, as predicted by the RG field theory, does not exist. Our consideration does not exclude existence of a different fixed point.

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The renormalization group and the universality of critical exponents

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Phase Transitions and Renormalization Group

Jean Zinn‐Justin

This book provides an elementary introduction to the notions of continuum limit and universality in statistical systems with a large number of degrees of freedom. The existence of a continuum limit requires the appearance of correlations at large distance, a situation that is encountered in second order phase transitions, near the critical temperature. In this context, the book emphasizes the role of gaussian distributions and their relations with the mean field approximation and Landau′s theory of critical phenomena. The book shows that quasi-gaussian or mean-field approximations cannot describe correctly phase transitions in three space dimensions. The book assigns this difficulty to the coupling of very different physical length scales, even though the systems we will consider have only local, that is, short range, interactions. To analyze the unusual situation, a new concept is required: the renormalization group, whose fixed points allow understanding the universality of physical properties at large distance, beyond mean-field theory. In the continuum limit, critical phenomena can be described by quantum field theories. In this framework, the renormalization group is directly related to the renormalization process; that is, the necessity to cancel the infinities that arise in straightforward formulations of the theory. The book discusses the renormalization group in the context of various relevant field theories. This leads to proofs of universality and to efficient tools for calculating universal quantities in a perturbative framework. Finally, the book constructs a general functional renormalization group, which can be used when perturbative methods are inadequate.

Oxford University Press eBooks•Jul 5, 2007•208 citations
This chapter introduces the general concept of renormalization group in the spirit of the work. It studies the role of fixed points and their stability properties. It exhibits a particular fixed point, the Gaussian fixed point, which is stable in dimension larger than four. It identifies the leading perturbation to the Gaussian fixed point in dimension = four. It discusses the possible existence of a non-Gaussian fixed point near dimension four.
Abstract Chapter 5 first recalls the importance of the concept of scale decoupling in physics. It then emphasizes that quantum field theory and the theory of critical phenomena have provided two examples where this concepts fails. To deal with such a situation, a new tool has been invented: the renormalization group. In the framework of effective quantum field theory, a perturbative renormalization group has been formulated. Its implementation has led to the discovery of fixed points as zeros of beta functions, and calculations of critical exponents of a class of macroscopic phase transitions in the form of Wilson–Fisher epsilon or fixed dimension expansions. These expansions being divergent, they could summed by methods based on the Borel transformation and the determination of the large order behaviour of perturbation theory.
The large distance behaviour, near the critical temperature, of continuous phase transitions with short range interactions can be reproduced by an effective local field theory. Within this framework, the universal properties of the large distance can be determined by finding fixed points of general, functional renormalization group (RG) equations (Wilson, Wegner). For dimension D > 4, the large scale behavior is governed by the Gaussian fixed point (related to mean field theory), while for D < 4 the Gaussian fixed point is unstable. Near D = 4, the RG equations can be solved in the form of an ǫ = 4 − D expansion, a new stable fixed point is found and this leads to the famous Wilson-Fisher expansion for critical exponents and other universal quantities. Moreover, one realizes that, in this framework, the effective field theory can be reduced to a renormalizable field theory and, at leading order in the critical domain, the much simpler quantum field theory renormalization group can be used. A number of physicists, including the Saclay group (Brezin, Le Guillou, Zinn-Justin) have developed sophisticated field theory techniques, to prove general scaling laws and to calculate exponents to higher orders [1].
The Ginzburg-Landau phase transition model is considered in d=4-epsilon dimensions within the renormalization group (RG) approach. The problem of existence of the non-Gaussian fixed point is discussed. An equation is derived from the first principles of the RG theory (under the assumption that the fixed point exists) for calculation of the correction-to-scaling term in the asymptotic expansion of the two-point correlation (Green's) function. It is demonstrated clearly that, within the framework of the standard methods (well justified in the vicinity of the fixed point) used in the perturbative RG theory, this equation leads to an unremovable contradiction with the known RG results. Thus, in its very basics, the RG field theory in 4-epsilon dimensions is contradictory. To avoid the contradiction, we conclude that such a non-Gaussian fixed point, as predicted by the RG field theory, does not exist. Our consideration does not exclude existence of a different fixed point.
A class of renormalization groups characterized as the general Gaussian renormalization group is defined. It includes the sharp cutoff renormalization group of Wilson, the linear renormalization group of Bell and Wilson, and the incomplete‐integration renormalization group of Wilson. The renormalization group approach to critical phenomena and the expansion around four dimensions is reviewed. The fixed point of the general Gaussian renormalization group is determined to order ε2, where ε=4−d (d is the dimensionality of the system), and the critical exponents are determined to the same order. The main conclusion is that the exponents do not depend on the cutoff functions of the renormalization group.
This book provides an elementary introduction to the notions of continuum limit and universality in statistical systems with a large number of degrees of freedom. The existence of a continuum limit requires the appearance of correlations at large distance, a situation that is encountered in second order phase transitions, near the critical temperature. In this context, the book emphasizes the role of gaussian distributions and their relations with the mean field approximation and Landau′s theory of critical phenomena. The book shows that quasi-gaussian or mean-field approximations cannot describe correctly phase transitions in three space dimensions. The book assigns this difficulty to the coupling of very different physical length scales, even though the systems we will consider have only local, that is, short range, interactions. To analyze the unusual situation, a new concept is required: the renormalization group, whose fixed points allow understanding the universality of physical properties at large distance, beyond mean-field theory. In the continuum limit, critical phenomena can be described by quantum field theories. In this framework, the renormalization group is directly related to the renormalization process; that is, the necessity to cancel the infinities that arise in straightforward formulations of the theory. The book discusses the renormalization group in the context of various relevant field theories. This leads to proofs of universality and to efficient tools for calculating universal quantities in a perturbative framework. Finally, the book constructs a general functional renormalization group, which can be used when perturbative methods are inadequate.