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Annual Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (MMM)

Critical Behavior of Magnets with Dipolar Interactions

Amnon Aharony A

Published Jan 1, 1974• 7 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Studies of magnetic critical behavior using the recursion relation approach will be reviewed. For a Hamiltonian including both (anisotropic) exchange and dipole‐dipole interactions many fixed points arise, each representing distinct asymptotic critical behavior. Various non‐dipolar fixed points, for degree of isotropy m, describe the critical behavior of (rotationally invariant) antiferromagnets, except for additional, slowly decaying terms, which can lead to “effective critical exponents”. In addition one finds a series of “dipolar” fixed points. For m>1, these yield exponents which deviate slightly more from the classical values than those for the non‐dipolar fixed points. When m=1 the dipolar fixed point has classical exponents for dimension d>3, plus logarithmic corrections at d=3, but non‐classical behavior for d<3. The dipolar spin‐spin correlation functions always develop a characteristic angular dependence. Spatially anisotropic interactions, antisymmetric exchange interactions, terms of cubic symmetry, etc. may lead to still further fixed points, and hence to new critical behavior.

DOI
10.1063/1.3141833

Related papers

Critical Behavior of Magnets with Dipolar Interactions. I. Renormalization Group near Four Dimensions

Amnon Aharony A, Michael Ellis Fisher

The exact renormalization-group approach of Wilson is used to study the critical behavior for $T>{T}_{c}$, $H=0$, and small $\ensuremath{\epsilon}>0$, of an isotropic ferromagnetic system in $d=4\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ dimensions, with exchange and dipolar interactions between $d$-component spins. Normal isotropic Heisenberg behavior with $\frac{1}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\approx}\frac{1}{2\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\approx}1\ensuremath{-}\frac{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}{4}$ (to first order in $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$) is retained for $t=(\frac{T}{{T}_{c}})\ensuremath{-}1\ensuremath{\ll}\frac{G}{J{a}^{d}}$, where $G=\frac{{(g{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B})}^{2}}{2}$ measures the strength of the dipole-dipole interactions, $J$ is the short-range exchange parameter, and $a$ is the lattice spacing. When ${t}^{\ensuremath{\varphi}}\ensuremath{\approx}\frac{G}{J{a}^{d}}$, where $\ensuremath{\varphi}\ensuremath{\approx}1+\frac{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}{4}$, crossover occurs to a characteristic dipolar behavior described by a new fixed point of the recursion relations. For $t\ensuremath{\ll}\frac{G}{J{a}^{d}}$ one thus finds $\frac{1}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\approx}\frac{1}{2\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\approx}1\ensuremath{-}\frac{9\ensuremath{\epsilon}}{34}$ {and, for spins of $n d$ components, $\frac{1}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\approx}\frac{1}{2\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\approx}1\ensuremath{-}[\frac{(6n+3)}{2(6n+11)}]\ensuremath{\epsilon}$, which agrees with spherical-model results when $n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$}. In the dipolar regime the spin-correlation function $〈{s}_{q}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{s}_{\ensuremath{-}q}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}〉$ has a factor [${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}\ensuremath{-}(\frac{{q}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{q}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}}{{q}^{2}})$], which suppresses longitudinal spin fluctuations; the susceptibilities ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ display the expected demagnetization effects. It is found that dipolar anistropies derving from the lattice structure produce weak instabilities which should be hard to detect although their effects are not fully elucidated. Extensions of the results to nonzero magnetic fields, and to anistropic exchange interactions are indicated; the experimental situation is mentioned briefly.

Physical review. B, Solid state•Oct 1, 1973•308 citations

Critical properties of random and constrained dipolar magnets

Amnon Aharony A

Renormalization-group techniques are used to study a model of $n$-coupled $m$-component spin systems, in the limit of large dipole-dipole interactions. As recently shown by Emery, this model describes the critical behavior of a constrained dipolar system in the limit $n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ and that of a dipolar system with a quenched random perturbation in the limit $n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$. In both cases, the unperturbed dipolar fixed point is unstable, and there is a crossover to a new behavior. For the constrained system, this leads to another dipolar fixed point (if $\ensuremath{\alpha}<0$, $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ being the dipolar specific-heat exponent) with the same thermodynamic critical exponents, or to one with renormalized dipolar exponents (if $\ensuremath{\alpha}>0$). These results are different from those of previous "spherical" dipolar models. For the random case, the crossover is either to a new fixed point, with very different exponents, e.g., $2\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\simeq}1+1.183\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ for $m=d=4\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$, or away from all the fixed points found to order $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$. One of the new fixed points in this case has complex eigenvalues of the linearized recursion relations. This is related to the fact that the recursion-relation flow is not of a gradient type for random systems.

Physical review. B, Solid state•Aug 1, 1975•40 citations

Scale without conformal invariance in dipolar ferromagnets

Aleix Gimenez-Grau, Yu Nakayama, Slava Rychkov

We revisit critical phenomena in isotropic ferromagnets with strong dipolar interactions. The corresponding renormalization group fixed point, dipolar fixed point, was first studied in 1973 by Aharony and Fisher [Phys. Rev. Lett. 30, 559 (1973]. It is distinct from the Heisenberg fixed point, although the critical exponents are close. On the theoretical side, we discuss scale invariance without conformal invariance realized by this fixed point. We elucidate the nonrenormalization of the virial current due to a shift symmetry, and show that the same mechanism is at work in all other known local fixed points which are scale but not conformal invariant. On the phenomenological side, we discuss the relative strength of dipolar and short-range interactions. In some materials, like the europium compounds, dipolar interactions are strong, and the critical behavior is dipolar. In others, like Fe or Ni, dipolar interactions are weaker, and the Heisenberg critical behavior in a range of temperatures is followed by the dipolar behavior closer to the critical point. Some of these effects have been seen experimentally.

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The renormalization group in the theory of critical behavior

Michael Ellis Fisher

The renormalization group approach to the theory of critical behavior is reviewed at an introductory level with emphasis on magnetic systems. Among recent results reported are the dependence of critical exponents above ${T}_{c}$ on dimensionality $d=4\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$; on the symmetry index or number of spin components, $n$; on the range and anisotropy of exchange couplings; and on dipolar interactions and lattice anisotropies, in ferro- and antiferromagnets. Calculations of the scaling functions for the equation of state and critical scattering are summarized.

Reviews of Modern Physics•Oct 1, 1974•1,551 citations

Critical exponents of ferromagnets with dipolar interactions: Second-order ε expansion

Alastair D. Bruce, Amnon Aharony A

The zero-field critical behavior of ferromagnets above ${T}_{c}$, with both isotropic exchange coupling and dipolar interactions, is studied by renormalization-group techniques in $d=4\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ dimensions with $n (=d)$ component spins. The critical exponents are calculated to order ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{2}$, and are found to be numerically very close to their nondipolar analogs. In particular the correlation length exponent is given by $2\ensuremath{\nu}=1+(\frac{9}{34})\ensuremath{\epsilon}+(\frac{7013}{58956}){\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{2}+O({\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{3})$. The value of the specific-heat exponent ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s} (=2\ensuremath{-}d\ensuremath{\nu})$ seems inconsistent with experimental data (at $d=3$, $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=1$). The critical scattering function is shown to have the form ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}})=C{t}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}}\stackrel{^}{D}({\ensuremath{\xi}}^{2}{q}^{2})({\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}\ensuremath{-}\frac{{q}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{q}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}}{{q}^{2}})$ to all orders in $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$. The exponents related to the leading correction to scaling, to crossovers to anisotropic exchange behavior, and to cubic dipolar behavior, are also calculated, and are found to differ significantly from their nondipolar counterparts.

Physical review. B, Solid state•Sep 1, 1974•122 citations

Critical Behavior of Magnets with Dipolar Interactions. V. Uniaxial Magnets in d Dimensions

Amnon Aharony A

The exact renormalization-group approach is used to study the critical behavior for $T>{T}_{c}$, $H=0$ of a uniaxial ferromagnetic (or ferroelectric) system in $d$ dimensions, with exchange and dipolar interactions between the (single-component) spins. Normal Ising-like behavior is retained for $t=\frac{T}{{T}_{c}}\ensuremath{-}1\ensuremath{\gg}\stackrel{^}{g}=\frac{{(g{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B})}^{2}}{J{a}^{d}}$, where $J$ is the exchange parameter, $g{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ is the magnetic moment per spin, and $a$ is the lattice spacing. Crossover to a characteristic dipolar behavior occurs when ${t}^{\ensuremath{\varphi}}\ensuremath{\approx}\stackrel{^}{g}$, where $\ensuremath{\varphi}=1+\frac{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}{6}$ (to first order in $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=4\ensuremath{-}d$). For $t\ensuremath{\ll}\stackrel{^}{g}$, the leading temperature singularity in the Fourier transform of the spin-spin correlation function $\ensuremath{\Gamma}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}})$ becomes ${\ensuremath{\xi}}^{2}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{[1+{(\ensuremath{\xi}q)}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{h}_{0}{(\ensuremath{\xi}{q}^{z})}^{2}+{g}_{0}{(\frac{{q}^{z}}{q})}^{2}]}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, where ${h}_{0}$ and ${g}_{0}$ are of order $\stackrel{^}{g}$ and $\ensuremath{\xi}(t)$ varies as ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}$ for $d>3$, as ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}{|\mathrm{ln}t|}^{\frac{1}{6}}$ for $d=3$, and as ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\nu}}$ with $\frac{1}{2\ensuremath{\nu}}=1\ensuremath{-}\frac{(3\ensuremath{-}d)}{6}+O({(3\ensuremath{-}d)}^{2})$ for $d<3$. The susceptibility displays the expected demagnetization effects, namely, $({\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\ensuremath{-}{g}_{0}\mathcal{D})\ensuremath{\propto}{\ensuremath{\xi}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. The experimental situation is mentioned briefly.

Physical review. B, Solid state•Oct 1, 1973•228 citations
Studies of magnetic critical behavior using the recursion relation approach will be reviewed. For a Hamiltonian including both (anisotropic) exchange and dipole‐dipole interactions many fixed points arise, each representing distinct asymptotic critical behavior. Various non‐dipolar fixed points, for degree of isotropy m, describe the critical behavior of (rotationally invariant) antiferromagnets, except for additional, slowly decaying terms, which can lead to “effective critical exponents”. In addition one finds a series of “dipolar” fixed points. For m>1, these yield exponents which deviate slightly more from the classical values than those for the non‐dipolar fixed points. When m=1 the dipolar fixed point has classical exponents for dimension d>3, plus logarithmic corrections at d=3, but non‐classical behavior for d<3. The dipolar spin‐spin correlation functions always develop a characteristic angular dependence. Spatially anisotropic interactions, antisymmetric exchange interactions, terms of cubic symmetry, etc. may lead to still further fixed points, and hence to new critical behavior.
The exact renormalization-group approach of Wilson is used to study the critical behavior for T>TcT>{T}_{c}T>Tc​, H=0H=0H=0, and small $\ensuremath{\epsilon}>0$, of an isotropic ferromagnetic system in $d=4\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ dimensions, with exchange and dipolar interactions between ddd-component spins. Normal isotropic Heisenberg behavior with $\frac{1}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\approx}\frac{1}{2\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\approx}1\ensuremath{-}\frac{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}{4}$ (to first order in $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$) is retained for $t=(\frac{T}{{T}_{c}})\ensuremath{-}1\ensuremath{\ll}\frac{G}{J{a}^{d}}$, where $G=\frac{{(g{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B})}^{2}}{2}$ measures the strength of the dipole-dipole interactions, JJJ is the short-range exchange parameter, and aaa is the lattice spacing. When ${t}^{\ensuremath{\varphi}}\ensuremath{\approx}\frac{G}{J{a}^{d}}$, where $\ensuremath{\varphi}\ensuremath{\approx}1+\frac{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}{4}$, crossover occurs to a characteristic dipolar behavior described by a new fixed point of the recursion relations. For $t\ensuremath{\ll}\frac{G}{J{a}^{d}}$ one thus finds $\frac{1}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\approx}\frac{1}{2\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\approx}1\ensuremath{-}\frac{9\ensuremath{\epsilon}}{34}$ {and, for spins of ndn dnd components, $\frac{1}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\approx}\frac{1}{2\ensuremath{\nu}}\ensuremath{\approx}1\ensuremath{-}[\frac{(6n+3)}{2(6n+11)}]\ensuremath{\epsilon}$, which agrees with spherical-model results when $n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$}. In the dipolar regime the spin-correlation function $〈{s}_{q}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{s}_{\ensuremath{-}q}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}〉$ has a factor [${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}\ensuremath{-}(\frac{{q}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{q}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}}{{q}^{2}})$], which suppresses longitudinal spin fluctuations; the susceptibilities ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ display the expected demagnetization effects. It is found that dipolar anistropies derving from the lattice structure produce weak instabilities which should be hard to detect although their effects are not fully elucidated. Extensions of the results to nonzero magnetic fields, and to anistropic exchange interactions are indicated; the experimental situation is mentioned briefly.
Renormalization-group techniques are used to study a model of nnn-coupled mmm-component spin systems, in the limit of large dipole-dipole interactions. As recently shown by Emery, this model describes the critical behavior of a constrained dipolar system in the limit $n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ and that of a dipolar system with a quenched random perturbation in the limit $n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$. In both cases, the unperturbed dipolar fixed point is unstable, and there is a crossover to a new behavior. For the constrained system, this leads to another dipolar fixed point (if $\ensuremath{\alpha}<0$, $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ being the dipolar specific-heat exponent) with the same thermodynamic critical exponents, or to one with renormalized dipolar exponents (if $\ensuremath{\alpha}>0$). These results are different from those of previous "spherical" dipolar models. For the random case, the crossover is either to a new fixed point, with very different exponents, e.g., $2\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\simeq}1+1.183\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ for $m=d=4\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$, or away from all the fixed points found to order $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$. One of the new fixed points in this case has complex eigenvalues of the linearized recursion relations. This is related to the fact that the recursion-relation flow is not of a gradient type for random systems.
We revisit critical phenomena in isotropic ferromagnets with strong dipolar interactions. The corresponding renormalization group fixed point, dipolar fixed point, was first studied in 1973 by Aharony and Fisher [Phys. Rev. Lett. 30, 559 (1973]. It is distinct from the Heisenberg fixed point, although the critical exponents are close. On the theoretical side, we discuss scale invariance without conformal invariance realized by this fixed point. We elucidate the nonrenormalization of the virial current due to a shift symmetry, and show that the same mechanism is at work in all other known local fixed points which are scale but not conformal invariant. On the phenomenological side, we discuss the relative strength of dipolar and short-range interactions. In some materials, like the europium compounds, dipolar interactions are strong, and the critical behavior is dipolar. In others, like Fe or Ni, dipolar interactions are weaker, and the Heisenberg critical behavior in a range of temperatures is followed by the dipolar behavior closer to the critical point. Some of these effects have been seen experimentally.
The renormalization group approach to the theory of critical behavior is reviewed at an introductory level with emphasis on magnetic systems. Among recent results reported are the dependence of critical exponents above Tc{T}_{c}Tc​ on dimensionality $d=4\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$; on the symmetry index or number of spin components, nnn; on the range and anisotropy of exchange couplings; and on dipolar interactions and lattice anisotropies, in ferro- and antiferromagnets. Calculations of the scaling functions for the equation of state and critical scattering are summarized.
The zero-field critical behavior of ferromagnets above Tc{T}_{c}Tc​, with both isotropic exchange coupling and dipolar interactions, is studied by renormalization-group techniques in $d=4\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ dimensions with n(=d)n (=d)n(=d) component spins. The critical exponents are calculated to order ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{2}$, and are found to be numerically very close to their nondipolar analogs. In particular the correlation length exponent is given by $2\ensuremath{\nu}=1+(\frac{9}{34})\ensuremath{\epsilon}+(\frac{7013}{58956}){\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{2}+O({\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{3})$. The value of the specific-heat exponent ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s} (=2\ensuremath{-}d\ensuremath{\nu})$ seems inconsistent with experimental data (at d=3d=3d=3, $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=1$). The critical scattering function is shown to have the form ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}})=C{t}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}}\stackrel{^}{D}({\ensuremath{\xi}}^{2}{q}^{2})({\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}\ensuremath{-}\frac{{q}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{q}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}}{{q}^{2}})$ to all orders in $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$. The exponents related to the leading correction to scaling, to crossovers to anisotropic exchange behavior, and to cubic dipolar behavior, are also calculated, and are found to differ significantly from their nondipolar counterparts.
The exact renormalization-group approach is used to study the critical behavior for T>TcT>{T}_{c}T>Tc​, H=0H=0H=0 of a uniaxial ferromagnetic (or ferroelectric) system in ddd dimensions, with exchange and dipolar interactions between the (single-component) spins. Normal Ising-like behavior is retained for $t=\frac{T}{{T}_{c}}\ensuremath{-}1\ensuremath{\gg}\stackrel{^}{g}=\frac{{(g{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B})}^{2}}{J{a}^{d}}$, where JJJ is the exchange parameter, $g{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ is the magnetic moment per spin, and aaa is the lattice spacing. Crossover to a characteristic dipolar behavior occurs when ${t}^{\ensuremath{\varphi}}\ensuremath{\approx}\stackrel{^}{g}$, where $\ensuremath{\varphi}=1+\frac{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}{6}$ (to first order in $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=4\ensuremath{-}d$). For $t\ensuremath{\ll}\stackrel{^}{g}$, the leading temperature singularity in the Fourier transform of the spin-spin correlation function $\ensuremath{\Gamma}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}})$ becomes ${\ensuremath{\xi}}^{2}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{[1+{(\ensuremath{\xi}q)}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{h}_{0}{(\ensuremath{\xi}{q}^{z})}^{2}+{g}_{0}{(\frac{{q}^{z}}{q})}^{2}]}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, where h0{h}_{0}h0​ and g0{g}_{0}g0​ are of order $\stackrel{^}{g}$ and $\ensuremath{\xi}(t)$ varies as ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}$ for d>3d>3d>3, as ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}{|\mathrm{ln}t|}^{\frac{1}{6}}$ for d=3d=3d=3, and as ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\nu}}$ with $\frac{1}{2\ensuremath{\nu}}=1\ensuremath{-}\frac{(3\ensuremath{-}d)}{6}+O({(3\ensuremath{-}d)}^{2})$ for d<3d<3d<3. The susceptibility displays the expected demagnetization effects, namely, $({\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\ensuremath{-}{g}_{0}\mathcal{D})\ensuremath{\propto}{\ensuremath{\xi}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. The experimental situation is mentioned briefly.