Scaling behavior of a square-lattice Ising model with competing interactions in a uniform field

Weak Universality Induced by Q=±2e Charges at the Deconfinement Transition of a (2+1)-Dimensional U(1) Lattice Gauge Theory

Matter-free lattice gauge theories (LGTs) provide an ideal setting to understand confinement to deconfinement transitions at finite temperatures, which is typically due to the spontaneous breakdown (at large temperatures) of the center symmetry associated with the gauge group. Close to the transition, the relevant degrees of freedom (Polyakov loop) transform under these center symmetries, and the effective theory depends on only the Polyakov loop and its fluctuations. As shown first by Svetitsky and Yaffe, and subsequently verified numerically, for the U(1) LGT in (2+1) dimensions, the transition is in the 2D XY universality class, while for the Z_{2} LGT, it is in the 2D Ising universality class. We extend this classic scenario by adding higher charged matter fields and show that the critical exponents γ and ν can change continuously as a coupling is varied, while their ratio is fixed to the 2D Ising value. While such weak universality is well known for spin models, we demonstrate this for LGTs for the first time. Using an efficient cluster algorithm, we show that the finite temperature phase transition of the U(1) quantum link LGT in the spin S=1/2 representation is in the 2D XY universality class, as expected. On the addition of Q=±2e charges distributed thermally, we demonstrate the occurrence of weak universality.

Full nonuniversality of the symmetric 16-vertex model on the square lattice

We consider the symmetric two-state 16-vertex model on the square lattice whose vertex weights are invariant under any permutation of adjacent edge states. The vertex-weight parameters are restricted to a critical manifold which is self-dual under the gauge transformation. The critical properties of the model are studied numerically with the Corner Transfer Matrix Renormalization Group method. Accuracy of the method is tested on two exactly solvable cases: the Ising model and a specific version of the Baxter eight-vertex model in a zero field that belong to different universality classes. Numerical results show that the two exactly solvable cases are connected by a line of critical points with the polarization as the order parameter. There are numerical indications that critical exponents vary continuously along this line in such a way that the weak universality hypothesis is violated.

Original electric-vertex formulation of the symmetric eight-vertex model on the square lattice is fully nonuniversal

The partition function of the symmetric (zero electric field) eight-vertex model on a square lattice can be formulated either in the original "electric" vertex format or in an equivalent "magnetic" Ising-spin format. In this paper, both electric and magnetic versions of the model are studied numerically by using the corner transfer matrix renormalization-group method which provides reliable data. The emphasis is put on the calculation of four specific critical exponents, related by two scaling relations, and of the central charge. The numerical method is first tested in the magnetic format, the obtained dependencies of critical exponents on the model's parameters agree with Baxter's exact solution, and weak universality is confirmed within the accuracy of the method due to the finite size of the system. In particular, the critical exponents η and δ are constant as required by weak universality. On the other hand, in the electric format, analytic formulas based on the scaling relations are derived for the critical exponents η_{e} and δ_{e} which agree with our numerical data. These exponents depend on the model's parameters which is evidence for the full nonuniversality of the symmetric eight-vertex model in the original electric formulation.

Continuously Varying Critical Exponents Beyond Weak Universality

Renormalization group theory does not restrict the form of continuous variation of critical exponents which occurs in presence of a marginal operator. However, the continuous variation of critical exponents, observed in different contexts, usually follows a weak universality scenario where some of the exponents (e.g., β, γ, ν) vary keeping others (e.g., δ, η) fixed. Here we report ferromagnetic phase transition in (Sm_1−yNd_y)_0.52Sr_0.48MnO₃ (0.5 ≤ y ≤ 1) single crystals where all three exponents β, γ, δ vary with Nd concentration y. Such a variation clearly violates both universality and weak universality hypothesis. We propose a new scaling theory that explains the present experimental results, reduces to the weak universality as a special case, and provides a generic route leading to continuous variation of critical exponents and multi-criticality.

Effect of geometrical frustration on inverse freezing

The interplay between geometrical frustration (GF) and inverse freezing (IF) is studied within a cluster approach. The model considers first-neighbor (J_{1}) and second-neighbor (J_{2}) intracluster antiferromagnetic interactions between Ising spins on a checkerboard lattice and long-range disordered couplings (J) among clusters. We obtain phase diagrams of temperature versus J_{1}/J in two cases: the absence of J_{2} interaction and the isotropic limit J_{2}=J_{1}, where GF takes place. An IF reentrant transition from the spin-glass (SG) to paramagnetic (PM) phase is found for a certain range of J_{1}/J in both cases. The J_{1} interaction leads to a SG state with high entropy at the same time that can introduce a low-entropy PM phase. In addition, it is observed that the cluster size plays an important role. The GF increases the PM phase entropy, but larger clusters can give an entropic advantage for the SG phase that favors IF. Therefore, our results suggest that disordered systems with antiferromagnetic clusters can exhibit an IF transition even in the presence of GF.

Nematic phase in the J(1)-J(2) square-lattice Ising model in an external field

The J(1)-J(2) Ising model in the square lattice in the presence of an external field is studied by two approaches: the cluster variation method (CVM) and Monte Carlo simulations. The use of the CVM in the square approximation leads to the presence of a new equilibrium phase, not previously reported for this model: an Ising-nematic phase, which shows orientational order but not positional order, between the known stripes and disordered phases. Suitable order parameters are defined, and the phase diagram of the model is obtained. Monte Carlo simulations are in qualitative agreement with the CVM results, giving support to the presence of the new Ising-nematic phase. Phase diagrams in the temperature-external field plane are obtained for selected values of the parameter κ=J(2)/|J(1)| which measures the relative strength of the competing interactions. From the CVM in the square approximation we obtain a line of second order transitions between the disordered and nematic phases, while the nematic-stripes phase transitions are found to be of first order. The Monte Carlo results suggest a line of second order nematic-disordered phase transitions in agreement with the CVM results. Regarding the stripes-nematic transitions, the present Monte Carlo results are not precise enough to reach definite conclusions about the nature of the transitions.

Critical behavior of a quantum chain with four-spin interactions in the presence of longitudinal and transverse magnetic fields

We study the ground-state properties of a spin-1/2 model on a chain containing four-spin Ising-like interactions in the presence of both transverse and longitudinal magnetic fields. We use entanglement entropy and finite-size scaling methods to obtain the phase diagrams of the model. Our numerical calculations reveal a rich variety of phases and the existence of multicritical points in the system. We identify phases with both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic orderings. We also find periodically modulated orderings formed by a cluster of like spins followed by another cluster of opposite like spins. The quantum phases in the model are found to be separated by either first- or second-order transition lines.