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arXiv:hep-th/0002254

Renormalization group domains of the scalar Hamiltonian

C. Bagnuls, Claude Bervillier

Published Feb 29, 2000• 10 citations
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Abstract

Using the local potential approximation of the exact renormalization group (RG) equation, we show the various domains of values of the parameters of the O(1)-symmetric scalar Hamiltonian. In three dimensions, in addition to the usual critical surface $S_{c}$ (attraction domain of the Wilson-Fisher fixed point), we explicitly show the existence of a first-order phase transition domain $S_{f}$ separated from $S_{c}$ by the tricritical surface $S_{t}$ (attraction domain of the Gaussian fixed point). $S_{f}$ and $S_{c}$ are two distinct domains of repulsion for the Gaussian fixed point, but $S_{f}$ is not the basin of attraction of a fixed point. $S_{f}$ is characterized by an endless renormalized trajectory lying entirely in the domain of negative values of the $\phi ^{4}$-coupling. This renormalized trajectory exists also in four dimensions making the Gaussian fixed point ultra-violet stable (and the $\phi_{4}^{4}$ renormalized field theory asymptotically free but with a wrong sign of the perfect action). We also show that very retarded classical-to-Ising crossover may exist in three dimensions (in fact below four dimensions). This could be an explanation of the unexpected classical critical behavior observed in some ionic systems.

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RENORMALIZATION GROUP DOMAINS OF THE SCALAR HAMILTONIAN

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Using the local potential approximation of the exact renormalization group (RG) equation, we show various domains of values of the parameters of the O(1) -symmetric scalar Hamiltonian.In three dimensions, in addition to the usual critical surface S c (attraction domain of the Wilson-Fisher fixed point), we explicitly show the existence of a first-order phase transition domain S f separated from S c by the tricritical surface S t (attraction domain of the Gaussian fixed point).S f and S c are two distinct domains of repulsion for the Gaussian fixed point, but S f is not the basin of attraction of a fixed point.S f is characterized by an endless renormalized trajectory lying entirely in the domain of negative values of the ϕ 4 -coupling.This renormalized trajectory also exists in four dimensions making the Gaussian fixed point ultra-violet stable (and the ϕ 4 4 renormalized field theory asymptotically free but with a wrong sign of the perfect action).We also show that a very retarded classical-to-Ising crossover may exist in three dimensions (in fact below four dimensions).This could be an explanation of the unexpected classical critical behaviour observed in some ionic systems.

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The phase diagrams of a variety of physical systems, among them certain antiferromagnets and ternary fluid mixtures, may include a critical line intersecting a line of first-order transitions at a critical end point rather than at the familiar tricritical point. At the critical end point the order parameter has critical fluctuations in the paramagnetic phase and a finite jump. Within Landau theory this phenomenon appears with the introduction of a negative ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{6}$ coupling; here we extend that theory to include fluctuations by a momentum-shell renormalization-group analysis close to four dimensions. In previous real-space analyses the critical end point was associated with a new fixed point. In contrast, the Wilson-Fisher fixed point which characterizes the entire critical line describes the critical end point here. We derive the $O(\ensuremath{\epsilon})$ corrections to the mean-field exponents which, in Landau theory, describe the approach to the critical end point from high temperatures. At the same time, the discontinuity in $〈\ensuremath{\varphi}〉$ at the critical end point predicted by Landau theory is essentially unaltered by fluctuations. It emerges from a renormalization-group calculation of the Gibbs free energy for the Ginzburg-Landau-Wilson model with a negative ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{6}$ term and a positive ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{8}$ term.

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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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Abstract In Chapter 14, the singular behavior of ferromagnetic systems with O(N) symmetry and short-range interactions, near a second order phase transition has been determined in the mean-field approximation, which is also a quasi-Gaussian approximation. The mean-field approximation predicts a set of universal properties, properties independent of the detailed structure of the microscopic Hamiltonian, the dimension of space, and, to a large extent, of the symmetry of systems. However, the leading corrections to the mean-field approximation, in dimensions smaller than or equal to four, diverge at the critical temperature, and the universal predictions of the mean-field approximation cannot be correct. Such a problem originates from the non-decoupling of scales and leads to the question of possible universality. In Chapter 9, the question has been answered in four dimensions using renormalization theory, and related renormalization group (RG) equations. Moreover, below four dimensions, in an expansion around the mean-field, the most singular terms near criticality can be also formally recovered from a continuum, low-mass φ4 field theory. More generally, following Wilson, to understand universality beyond the mean-field approximation, it is necessary to build a general renormalization group in the form of flow equations for effective Hamiltonians and to find fixed points of the flow equations. Near four dimensions, the flow equations can be approximated by the renormalization group of quantum field theory (QFT), and the fixed points and critical behaviours derived within the framework of the Wilson-Fisher ϵ expansion.

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Critical behaviour of theO(n)-ϕ4model with an antisymmetric tensor order parameter

N. V. Antonov, Mikhail Vladimirovich Kompaniets, N. M. Lebedev

Critical behaviour of the O(n)-symmetric $ϕ^{4}$-model with an antisymmetric tensor order parameter is studied by means of the field-theoretic renormalization group (RG) in the leading order of the $\varepsilon=4-d$-expansion (one-loop approximation). For $n=2$ and 3 the model is equivalent to the scalar and the O(3)-symmetric vector models, for $n\ge4$ it involves two independent interaction terms and two coupling constants. It is shown that for $n>4$ the RG equations have no infrared (IR) attractive fixed points and their solutions (RG flows) leave the stability region of the model. This means that fluctuations of the order parameter change the nature of the phase transition from the second-order type (suggested by the mean-field theory) to the first-order one. For $n=4$, the IR attractive fixed point exists and the IR behaviour is non-universal: if the coupling constants belong to the basin of attraction for the IR point, the phase transition is of the second order and the IR critical scaling regime realizes. The corresponding critical exponents $ν$ and $η$ are presented in the order $\varepsilon$ and $\varepsilon^{2}$, respectively. Otherwise the RG flows pass outside the stability region and the first-order transition takes place.

arXiv:1307.1991•Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical•Sep 19, 2013•14 citations
Using the local potential approximation of the exact renormalization group (RG) equation, we show the various domains of values of the parameters of the O(1)-symmetric scalar Hamiltonian. In three dimensions, in addition to the usual critical surface ScS_{c}Sc​ (attraction domain of the Wilson-Fisher fixed point), we explicitly show the existence of a first-order phase transition domain SfS_{f}Sf​ separated from ScS_{c}Sc​ by the tricritical surface StS_{t}St​ (attraction domain of the Gaussian fixed point). SfS_{f}Sf​ and ScS_{c}Sc​ are two distinct domains of repulsion for the Gaussian fixed point, but SfS_{f}Sf​ is not the basin of attraction of a fixed point. SfS_{f}Sf​ is characterized by an endless renormalized trajectory lying entirely in the domain of negative values of the ϕ4\phi ^{4}ϕ4-coupling. This renormalized trajectory exists also in four dimensions making the Gaussian fixed point ultra-violet stable (and the ϕ44\phi_{4}^{4}ϕ44​ renormalized field theory asymptotically free but with a wrong sign of the perfect action). We also show that very retarded classical-to-Ising crossover may exist in three dimensions (in fact below four dimensions). This could be an explanation of the unexpected classical critical behavior observed in some ionic systems.
Using the local potential approximation of the exact renormalization group (RG) equation, we show various domains of values of the parameters of the O(1) -symmetric scalar Hamiltonian.In three dimensions, in addition to the usual critical surface S c (attraction domain of the Wilson-Fisher fixed point), we explicitly show the existence of a first-order phase transition domain S f separated from S c by the tricritical surface S t (attraction domain of the Gaussian fixed point).S f and S c are two distinct domains of repulsion for the Gaussian fixed point, but S f is not the basin of attraction of a fixed point.S f is characterized by an endless renormalized trajectory lying entirely in the domain of negative values of the ϕ 4 -coupling.This renormalized trajectory also exists in four dimensions making the Gaussian fixed point ultra-violet stable (and the ϕ 4 4 renormalized field theory asymptotically free but with a wrong sign of the perfect action).We also show that a very retarded classical-to-Ising crossover may exist in three dimensions (in fact below four dimensions).This could be an explanation of the unexpected classical critical behaviour observed in some ionic systems.
The phase diagrams of a variety of physical systems, among them certain antiferromagnets and ternary fluid mixtures, may include a critical line intersecting a line of first-order transitions at a critical end point rather than at the familiar tricritical point. At the critical end point the order parameter has critical fluctuations in the paramagnetic phase and a finite jump. Within Landau theory this phenomenon appears with the introduction of a negative ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{6}$ coupling; here we extend that theory to include fluctuations by a momentum-shell renormalization-group analysis close to four dimensions. In previous real-space analyses the critical end point was associated with a new fixed point. In contrast, the Wilson-Fisher fixed point which characterizes the entire critical line describes the critical end point here. We derive the $O(\ensuremath{\epsilon})$ corrections to the mean-field exponents which, in Landau theory, describe the approach to the critical end point from high temperatures. At the same time, the discontinuity in $〈\ensuremath{\varphi}〉$ at the critical end point predicted by Landau theory is essentially unaltered by fluctuations. It emerges from a renormalization-group calculation of the Gibbs free energy for the Ginzburg-Landau-Wilson model with a negative ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{6}$ term and a positive ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{8}$ term.
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].
Abstract In Chapter 14, the singular behavior of ferromagnetic systems with O(N) symmetry and short-range interactions, near a second order phase transition has been determined in the mean-field approximation, which is also a quasi-Gaussian approximation. The mean-field approximation predicts a set of universal properties, properties independent of the detailed structure of the microscopic Hamiltonian, the dimension of space, and, to a large extent, of the symmetry of systems. However, the leading corrections to the mean-field approximation, in dimensions smaller than or equal to four, diverge at the critical temperature, and the universal predictions of the mean-field approximation cannot be correct. Such a problem originates from the non-decoupling of scales and leads to the question of possible universality. In Chapter 9, the question has been answered in four dimensions using renormalization theory, and related renormalization group (RG) equations. Moreover, below four dimensions, in an expansion around the mean-field, the most singular terms near criticality can be also formally recovered from a continuum, low-mass φ4 field theory. More generally, following Wilson, to understand universality beyond the mean-field approximation, it is necessary to build a general renormalization group in the form of flow equations for effective Hamiltonians and to find fixed points of the flow equations. Near four dimensions, the flow equations can be approximated by the renormalization group of quantum field theory (QFT), and the fixed points and critical behaviours derived within the framework of the Wilson-Fisher ϵ expansion.
We apply an approximate form of the exact one-particle-irreducible renormalization-group generator to the calculation of the equation of state. Several approaches are explored. (i) Global nonlinear trajectories for the Hamiltonian parameters are exploited to give nonlinear crossover equations of state. Logarithms of the reduced temperature $t\ensuremath{\equiv}\frac{(T\ensuremath{-}{T}_{c})}{{T}_{c}}$ are automatically exponentiated to give power-law behavior. (ii) The form and asymptotic properties of the equation of state are described for those systems whose complete nonlinear trajectories cannot be explicitly obtained. (iii) Nonlinear trajectories for the irreducible Green's functions are solved to give a fully exponentiated equation of state containing no logarithmic terms. (iv) Simple critical (noncrossover) equations of state are obtained by iteration of the generator with linear and quasilinear trajectories. (v) Operator nonlinear equations are solved to give the crossover equation of state for an arbitrary order $\ensuremath{\theta}$ critical system, both in an $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ expansion and at the borderline dimension. (vi) Combination of the Green's functions are formed into Green's eigenfunctions or operators and their nonlinear trajectories used to calculate fully exponentiated equations of state for order $\ensuremath{\theta}$ Ising systems. Systems considered include the usual Wilson-Fisher Hamiltonian [methods (i)-(iv)], the Sak-model compressible ferromagnet [(i)-(ii)], the nm\mathrm{nm}nm-hypercubical model (of which the dilute quenched random ferromagnet forms the $n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ limit) [(ii)], and the isotropic nnn-component order $\ensuremath{\theta}$ ferromagnet [(iv)-(vi)]. The tricritical ($\ensuremath{\theta}=3$) case is given explicitly as an example of the general formalism of methods (iv)-(vi). Throughout, we use a bare critical propagator which is an arbitrary generalized homogeneous function of the components of the wave vector. This allows us to simultaneously describe ordinary critical systems and anisotropic Lifschitz points as well as certain structural and spin-reorientation phase transitions.
Critical behaviour of the O(n)-symmetric ϕ4ϕ^{4}ϕ4-model with an antisymmetric tensor order parameter is studied by means of the field-theoretic renormalization group (RG) in the leading order of the ε=4−d\varepsilon=4-dε=4−d-expansion (one-loop approximation). For n=2n=2n=2 and 3 the model is equivalent to the scalar and the O(3)-symmetric vector models, for n≥4n\ge4n≥4 it involves two independent interaction terms and two coupling constants. It is shown that for n>4n>4n>4 the RG equations have no infrared (IR) attractive fixed points and their solutions (RG flows) leave the stability region of the model. This means that fluctuations of the order parameter change the nature of the phase transition from the second-order type (suggested by the mean-field theory) to the first-order one. For n=4n=4n=4, the IR attractive fixed point exists and the IR behaviour is non-universal: if the coupling constants belong to the basin of attraction for the IR point, the phase transition is of the second order and the IR critical scaling regime realizes. The corresponding critical exponents ννν and ηηη are presented in the order ε\varepsilonε and ε2\varepsilon^{2}ε2, respectively. Otherwise the RG flows pass outside the stability region and the first-order transition takes place.