Scaling Laws for Dynamics Near the Critical Point
Pierre C. Hohenberg, Bertrand I. Halperin
The static scaling laws may be generalized to dynamic phenomena by making assumptions on the behavior of time-dependent correlation functions near the magnetic critical point. At any temperature different from Tc, the correlation functions are assumed to reflect the ``hydrodynamic'' behavior of the system, for sufficiently long wavelengths and low frequencies. As the critical temperature is approached, however, the range ξ of spatial correlations in the system diverges, and the domain of applicability of hydrodynamics is reduced to very small wavenumbers, satisfying the inequality kξ≪1. The dynamic scaling assumptions relate the behavior of the time-dependent correlation functions in the ``hydrodynamic'' (kξ≪1) and ``critical'' (kξ≫1) regions. It is thus possible to predict certain features of the dynamic behavior at Tc, from a knowledge of the behavior away from Tc. Application is made to the spin-correlation function of the isotropic Heisenberg antiferromagnet, which is directly measurable by inelastic neutron scattering. Detailed predictions are presented on the form of the cross section as a function of energy and momentum transfer, and of temperature near Tc.
Journal of Applied Physics•Mar 1, 1970•4 citations