A relation between the temperature exponents of the eight-vertex and q-state Potts model

Swarming Transition in Super-Diffusive Self-Propelled Particles

A super-diffusive Vicsek model is introduced in this paper that incorporates Levy flights with exponent α. The inclusion of this feature leads to an increase in the fluctuations of the order parameter, ultimately resulting in the disorder phase becoming more dominant as α increases. The study finds that for α values close to two, the order-disorder transition is of the first order, while for small enough values of α, it shows degrees of similarities with the second-order phase transitions. The article formulates a mean field theory based on the growth of the swarmed clusters that accounts for the decrease in the transition point as α increases. The simulation results show that the order parameter exponent β, correlation length exponent ν, and susceptibility exponent γ remain constant when α is altered, satisfying a hyperscaling relation. The same happens for the mass fractal dimension, information dimension, and correlation dimension when α is far from two. The study reveals that the fractal dimension of the external perimeter of connected self-similar clusters conforms to the fractal dimension of Fortuin-Kasteleyn clusters of the two-dimensional Q=2 Potts (Ising) model. The critical exponents linked to the distribution function of global observables vary when α changes.

Percolation on Lieb lattices

We study site- and bond-percolation on a class of lattices referred to as Lieb lattices. In two dimensions the Lieb lattice (LL) is also known as the decorated square lattice, or as the CuO_{2} lattice; in three dimensions it can be generalized to a layered Lieb lattice or to a perovskite lattice. Emergent electronic phenomena, such as topological states and ferrimagnetism, have been predicted to occur in these systems, which may be realized in optical lattices as well as in solid state. Since the study of the interplay between quantum fluctuations and disorder in these systems requires the availability of accurate estimates of geometrical critical parameters, such as percolation thresholds and correlation length exponents, here we use Monte Carlo simulations to obtain these data for LLs when a site (or bond) is present with probability p. We have found that the thresholds satisfy a mean-field (Bethe lattice) trend, namely that the critical concentration, p_{c}, increases as the average coordination number decreases; our estimates for the correlation length exponent are in line with the expectation that there is no change in the universality class.

Exact results for average cluster numbers in bond percolation on infinite-length lattice strips

We calculate exact analytic expressions for the average cluster numbers 〈k〉_{Λ_{s}} on infinite-length strips Λ_{s}, with various widths, of several different lattices, as functions of the bond occupation probability p. It is proved that these expressions are rational functions of p. As special cases of our results, we obtain exact values of 〈k〉_{Λ_{s}} and derivatives of 〈k〉_{Λ_{s}} with respect to p, evaluated at the critical percolation probabilities p_{c,Λ} for the corresponding infinite two-dimensional lattices Λ. We compare these exact results with an analytic finite-size correction formula and find excellent agreement. We also analyze how unphysical poles in 〈k〉_{Λ_{s}} determine the radii of convergence of series expansions for small p and for p near to unity. Our calculations are performed for infinite-length strips of the square, triangular, and honeycomb lattices with several types of transverse boundary conditions.

Time increasing rates of infiltration and reaction in porous media at the percolation thresholds

The infiltration of a solute in a fractal porous medium is usually anomalous, but chemical reactions of the solute and that material may increase the porosity and affect the evolution of the infiltration. We study this problem in two- and three-dimensional lattices with randomly distributed porous sites at the critical percolation thresholds and with a border in contact with a reservoir of an aggressive solute. The solute infiltrates that medium by diffusion and the reactions with the impermeable sites produce new porous sites with a probability r, which is proportional to the ratio of reaction and diffusion rates at the scale of a lattice site. Numerical simulations for r≪1 show initial subdiffusive scaling and long time Fickean scaling of the infiltrated volumes or areas, but with an intermediate regime with time increasing rates of infiltration and reaction. The anomalous exponent of the initial regime agrees with a relation previously applied to infinitely ramified fractals. We develop a scaling approach that explains the subsequent time increase of the infiltration rate, the dependence of this rate on r, and the crossover to the Fickean regime. The exponents of the scaling relations depend on the fractal dimensions of the critical percolation clusters and on the dimensions of random walks in those clusters. The time increase of the reaction rate is also justified by that reasoning. As r decreases, there is an increase in the number of time decades of the intermediate regime, which suggests that the time increasing rates are more likely to be observed is slowly reacting systems.

Asymptotic correlation functions in the Q-state Potts model: A universal form for point group C_{4v}

Reexamining algebraic curves found in the eight-vertex model, we propose an asymptotic form of the correlation functions for off-critical systems possessing rotational and mirror symmetries of the square lattice, i.e., the C_{4v} symmetry. In comparison with the use of the Ornstein-Zernike form, it is efficient to investigate the correlation length with its directional dependence (or anisotropy). We investigate the Q-state Potts model on the square lattice. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations are performed using the infinite-size algorithm by Evertz and von der Linden. Fitting the MC data with the asymptotic form above the critical temperature, we reproduce the exact solution of the the anisotropic correlation length (ACL) of the Ising model (Q=2) within a five-digit accuracy. For Q=3 and 4, we obtain numerical evidence that the asymptotic form is applicable to their correlation functions and the ACLs. Furthermore, we successfully apply it to the bond percolation problem which corresponds to the Q→1 limit. From the calculated ACLs, the equilibrium crystal shapes (ECSs) are derived via duality and Wulff's construction. Regarding Q as a continuous variable, we find that the ECS of the Q-state Potts model is essentially the same as those of the Ising models on the Union Jack and 4-8 lattices, which are represented in terms of a simple algebraic curve of genus 1.

Logarithmic finite-size scaling correction to the leading Fisher zeros in the p-state clock model: A higher-order tensor renormalization group study

We investigate the finite-size-scaling (FSS) behavior of the leading Fisher zero of the partition function in the complex temperature plane in the p-state clock models of p=5 and 6. We derive the logarithmic finite-size corrections to the scaling of the leading zeros which we numerically verify by performing the higher-order tensor renormalization group (HOTRG) calculations in the square lattices of a size up to 128×128 sites. The necessity of the deterministic HOTRG method in the clock models is noted by the extreme vulnerability of the numerical leading zero identification against stochastic noises that are hard to be avoided in the Monte Carlo approaches. We characterize the system-size dependence of the numerical vulnerability of the zero identification by the type of phase transition, suggesting that the two transitions in the clock models are not of an ordinary first- or second-order type. In the direct FSS analysis of the leading zeros in the clock models, we find that their FSS behaviors show excellent agreement with our predictions of the logarithmic corrections to the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless ansatz at both of the high- and low-temperature transitions.

Elastic backbone phase transition in the Ising model

The two-dimensional (zero magnetic field) Ising model is known to undergo a second-order paraferromagnetic phase transition, which is accompanied by a correlated percolation transition for the Fortuin-Kasteleyn (FK) clusters. In this paper we uncover that there exists also a second temperature T_{eb}<T_{c} at which the elastic backbone of FK clusters undergoes a second-order phase transition to a dense phase. The corresponding universality class, which is characterized by determining various percolation exponents, is shown to be completely different from directed percolation, which leads us to propose a new anisotropic universality class with β=0.54±0.02, ν_{||}=1.86±0.01, ν_{⊥}=1.21±0.04, and d_{f}=1.53±0.03. All tested hyperscaling relations are shown to be valid.

Vison Crystals in an Extended Kitaev Model on the Honeycomb Lattice

We introduce an extension of the Kitaev honeycomb model by including four-spin interactions that preserve the local gauge structure and, hence, the integrability of the original model. The extended model has a rich phase diagram containing five distinct vison crystals, as well as a symmetric π-flux spin liquid with a Fermi surface of Majorana fermions and a sequence of Lifshitz transitions. We discuss possible experimental signatures and, in particular, present finite-temperature Monte Carlo calculations of the specific heat and the static vison structure factor. We argue that our extended model emerges naturally from generic perturbations to the Kitaev honeycomb model.

Entanglement entropy of the Q≥4 quantum Potts chain

The entanglement entropy S is an indicator of quantum correlations in the ground state of a many-body quantum system. At a second-order quantum phase-transition point in one dimension S generally has a logarithmic singularity. Here we consider quantum spin chains with a first-order quantum phase transition, the prototype being the Q-state quantum Potts chain for Q>4 and calculate S across the transition point. According to numerical, density matrix renormalization group results at the first-order quantum phase transition point S shows a jump, which is expected to vanish for Q→4^{+}. This jump is calculated in leading order as ΔS=lnQ[1-4/Q-2/(QlnQ)+O(1/Q^{2})].

Nature of phase transitions in Axelrod-like coupled Potts models in two dimensions

We study F coupled q-state Potts models in a two-dimensional square lattice. The interaction between the different layers is attractive to favor a simultaneous alignment in all of them, and its strength is fixed. The nature of the phase transition for zero field is numerically determined for F = 2,3. Using the Lee-Kosterlitz method, we find that it is continuous for F = 2 and q = 2, whereas it is abrupt for higher values of q and/or F. When a continuous or a weakly first-order phase transition takes place, we also analyze the properties of the geometrical clusters. This allows us to determine the fractal dimension D of the incipient infinite cluster and to examine the finite-size scaling of the cluster number density via data collapse. A mean-field approximation of the model, from which some general trends can be determined, is presented too. Finally, since this lattice model has been recently considered as a thermodynamic counterpart of the Axelrod model of social dynamics, we discuss our results in connection with this one.

Continuous and reversible tuning of the disorder-driven superconductor-insulator transition in bilayer graphene

The influence of static disorder on a quantum phase transition (QPT) is a fundamental issue in condensed matter physics. As a prototypical example of a disorder-tuned QPT, the superconductor–insulator transition (SIT) has been investigated intensively over the past three decades, but as yet without a general consensus on its nature. A key element is good control of disorder. Here, we present an experimental study of the SIT based on precise in-situ tuning of disorder in dual-gated bilayer graphene proximity-coupled to two superconducting electrodes through electrical and reversible control of the band gap and the charge carrier density. In the presence of a static disorder potential, Andreev-paired carriers formed close to the Fermi level in bilayer graphene constitute a randomly distributed network of proximity-induced superconducting puddles. The landscape of the network was easily tuned by electrical gating to induce percolative clusters at the onset of superconductivity. This is evidenced by scaling behavior consistent with the classical percolation in transport measurements. At lower temperatures, the solely electrical tuning of the disorder-induced landscape enables us to observe, for the first time, a crossover from classical to quantum percolation in a single device, which elucidates how thermal dephasing engages in separating the two regimes.

First-order phase transition and tricritical scaling behavior of the Blume-Capel model: A Wang-Landau sampling approach

We investigate the tricritical scaling behavior of the two-dimensional spin-1 Blume-Capel model by using the Wang-Landau method of measuring the joint density of states for lattice sizes up to 48×48 sites. We find that the specific heat deep in the first-order area of the phase diagram exhibits a double-peak structure of the Schottky-like anomaly appearing with the transition peak. The first-order transition curve is systematically determined by employing the method of field mixing in conjunction with finite-size scaling, showing a significant deviation from the previous data points. At the tricritical point, we characterize the tricritical exponents through finite-size-scaling analysis including the phenomenological finite-size scaling with thermodynamic variables. Our estimation of the tricritical eigenvalue exponents, yt=1.804(5), yg=0.80(1), and yh=1.925(3), provides the first Wang-Landau verification of the conjectured exact values, demonstrating the effectiveness of the density-of-states-based approach in finite-size scaling study of multicritical phenomena.

Inherently unstable networks collapse to a critical point

Nonequilibrium systems that are driven or drive themselves towards a critical point have been studied for almost three decades. Here we present a minimalist example of such a system, motivated by experiments on collapsing active elastic networks. Our model of an unstable elastic network exhibits a collapse towards a critical point from any macroscopically connected initial configuration. Taking into account steric interactions within the network, the model qualitatively and quantitatively reproduces results of the experiments on collapsing active gels.

Frustrated mixed spin-1/2 and spin-1 Ising ferrimagnets on a triangular lattice

Mixed spin-1/2 and spin-1 Ising ferrimagnets on a triangular lattice with sublattices A, B, and C are studied for two spin-value distributions (S(A),S(B),S(C))=(1/2,1/2,1) and (1/2,1,1) by Monte Carlo simulations. The nonbipartite character of the lattice induces geometrical frustration in both systems, which leads to the critical behavior rather different from their ferromagnetic counterparts. We confirm second-order phase transitions belonging to the standard Ising universality class occurring at higher temperatures, however, in both models these change at tricritical points (TCP) to first-order transitions at lower temperatures. In the model (1/2,1/2,1), TCP occurs on the boundary between paramagnetic and ferrimagnetic (±1/2,±1/2,∓1) phases. The boundary between two ferrimagnetic phases (±1/2,±1/2,∓1) and (±1/2,∓1/2,0) at lower temperatures is always first order and it is joined by a line of second-order phase transitions between the paramagnetic and the ferrimagnetic (±1/2,∓1/2,0) phases at a critical endpoint. The tricritical behavior is also confirmed in the model (1/2,1,1) on the boundary between the paramagnetic and ferrimagnetic (0,±1,∓1) phases.

Anomalous discontinuity at the percolation critical point of active gels

We develop a percolation model motivated by recent experimental studies of gels with active network remodeling by molecular motors. This remodeling was found to lead to a critical state reminiscent of random percolation (RP), but with a cluster distribution inconsistent with RP. Our model not only can account for these experiments, but also exhibits an unusual type of mixed phase transition: We find that the transition is characterized by signatures of criticality, but with a discontinuity in the order parameter.

Divergence of dynamical conductivity at certain percolative superconductor-insulator transitions

Random inductor–capacitor (LC) networks can exhibit percolative superconductor-insulator transitions (SITs). We use a simple and efficient algorithm to compute the dynamicalconductivity σ(ω,p) of one type of LC network on large (4000 × 4000) square lattices, where δ = p − p(c) is the tuning parameter for the SIT. We confirm that the conductivity obeys a scaling form, so that the characteristic frequency scales as∝|δ|(νz) with νz ≈ 1.91, the superfluid stiffness scales as ϒ∝|δ|(t) with t ≈ 1.3, and the electric susceptibility scales as χE∝|δ|(−s) with s = 2νz − t ≈ 2.52. In the insulating state, the low-frequency dissipative conductivity is exponentially small, whereas in the superconductor, it is linear in frequency.The sign of Im σ(ω) at small ω changes across the SIT. Most importantly, we find that right at the SIT Re σ(ω) ∝ ω(t/νz−1)∝ω(−0.32), so that the conductivity diverges in the DC limit, in contrast with most other classical and quantum models of SITs.

Simulation of diffusion in a crowded environment

We performed extensive and systematic simulation studies of two-dimensional fluid motion in a complex crowded environment. In contrast to other studies we focused on cooperative phenomena that occurred if the motion of particles takes place in a dense crowded system, which can be considered as a crude model of a cellular membrane. Our main goal was to answer the following question: how do the fluid molecules move in an environment with a complex structure, taking into account the fact that motions of fluid molecules are highly correlated. The dynamic lattice liquid (DLL) model, which can work at the highest fluid density, was employed. Within the frame of the DLL model we considered cooperative motion of fluid particles in an environment that contained static obstacles. The dynamic properties of the system as a function of the concentration of obstacles were studied. The subdiffusive motion of particles was found in the crowded system. The influence of hydrodynamics on the motion was investigated via analysis of the displacement in closed cooperative loops. The simulation and the analysis emphasize the influence of the movement correlation between moving particles and obstacles.

Antiferromagnetic triangular Blume-Capel model with hard-core exclusions

Using Monte Carlo simulation, we analyze phase transitions of two antiferromagnetic (AFM) triangular Blume-Capel (BC) models with AFM interactions between third-nearest neighbors. One model has hard-core exclusions between the nearest-neighbor (1NN) particles (3NN1 model) and the other has them between the nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor particles (3NN12 model). Finite-size scaling analysis reveals that in these models, the transition from the paramagnetic to long-range order (LRO) AFM phase is either of the first order or goes through an intermediate phase which might be attributed to the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) type. The properties of the low-temperature phase transition to the AFM phase of the 1NN, 3NN1, and 3NN12 models are found to be very similar for almost all values of a normalized single-ion anisotropy parameter, 0 < δ < 1.5. Higher temperature behavior of the 3NN12 and 3NN1 models is rather different from that of the 1NN model. Three phase transitions are observed for the 3NN12 model: from the paramagnetic phase to the phase with domains of the LRO AFM phase at T(c), from this structure to the diluted frustrated BKT-type phase at T(2), and from the frustrated phase to the AFM LRO phase at T(1). For the 3NN12 model, T(c) > T(2) > T(1) at 0 < δ < 1.15 (range I), T(c) ≈ T(2) > T(1) at 1.15 < δ < 1.3 (range II), and T(c) = T(2) = T(1) at 1.3 < δ < 1.5 (range III). For the 3NN1 model, T(c) ≈ T(2) > T(1) at 0 < δ < 1.2 (range II) and T(c) = T(2) = T(1) at 1.2 < δ < 1.5 (range III). There is only one first-order phase transition in range III. The transition at T(c) is of the first order in range II and either of a weak first order or a second order in range I.

Critical properties of the Hintermann-Merlini model

Many critical properties of the Hintermann-Merlini model are known exactly through the mapping to the eight-vertex model. Wu [J. Phys. C 8, 2262 (1975)] calculated the spontaneous magnetizations of the model on two sublattices by relating them to the conjectured spontaneous magnetization and polarization of the eight-vertex model, respectively. The latter conjecture remains unproved. In this paper we numerically study the critical properties of the model by means of a finite-size scaling analysis based on transfer matrix calculations and Monte Carlo simulations. All analytic predictions for the model are confirmed by our numerical results. The central charge c=1 is found for the critical manifold investigated. In addition, some unpredicted geometric properties of the model are studied. Fractal dimensions of the largest Ising clusters on two sublattices are determined. The fractal dimension of the largest Ising cluster on the sublattice A takes a fixed value D(a)=1.888(2), while that for sublattice B varies continuously with the parameters of the model.

Quantum fidelity for degenerate ground states in quantum phase transitions

Spontaneous symmetry breaking in quantum phase transitions leads to a system having degenerate ground states in its broken-symmetry phase. In order to detect all possible degenerate ground states for a broken-symmetry phase, we introduce a quantum fidelity defined as an overlap measurement between a system ground state and an arbitrary reference state. If a system has N-fold degenerate ground states in a broken-symmetry phase, the quantum fidelity is shown to have N different values with respect to an arbitrarily chosen reference state. The quantum fidelity then exhibits an N-multiple bifurcation as an indicator of a quantum phase transition without knowing any detailed broken symmetry between a broken-symmetry phase and a symmetry phase as a system parameter crosses its critical value (i.e., a multiple bifurcation point). Each order parameter, characterizing a broken-symmetry phase from each degenerate ground state reveals an N-multiple bifurcation. Furthermore, it is shown that it is possible to specify how each order parameter calculated from degenerate ground states transforms under a subgroup of a symmetry group of the Hamiltonian. Examples are given through study of the quantum q-state Potts models with a transverse magnetic field by employing tensor network algorithms based on infinite-size lattices. For any q, a general relation between the local order parameters is found to clearly show the subgroup of the Z_{q} symmetry group. In addition, we systematically discuss criticality in the q-state Potts model.

Reaction spreading on percolating clusters

Reaction-diffusion processes in two-dimensional percolating structures are investigated. Two different problems are addressed: reaction spreading on a percolating cluster and front propagation through a percolating channel. For reaction spreading, numerical data and analytical estimates show a power-law behavior of the reaction product as M(t)~t(d(l)), where d(l) is the connectivity dimension. In a percolating channel, a statistically stationary traveling wave develops. The speed and the width of the traveling wave are numerically computed. While the front speed is a low-fluctuating quantity and its behavior can be understood using a simple theoretical argument, the front width is a high-fluctuating quantity showing a power-law behavior as a function of the size of the channel.

Critical condition of the water-retention model

We study how much water can be retained without leaking through boundaries when each unit square of a two-dimensional lattice is randomly assigned a block of unit bottom area but with different heights from zero to n-1. As more blocks are put into the system, there exists a phase transition beyond which the system retains a macroscopic volume of water. We locate the critical points and verify that the criticality belongs to the two-dimensional percolation universality class. If the height distribution can be approximated as continuous for large n, the system is always close to a critical point and the fraction of the area below the resulting water level is given by the percolation threshold. This provides a universal upper bound of areas that can be covered by water in a random landscape.

Scaling of cluster heterogeneity in percolation transitions

We investigate a critical scaling law for the cluster heterogeneity H in site and bond percolations in d-dimensional lattices with d = 2,...,6. The cluster heterogeneity is defined as the number of distinct cluster sizes. As an occupation probability p increases, the cluster size distribution evolves from a monodisperse distribution to a polydisperse one in the subcritical phase, and back to a monodisperse one in the supercritical phase. We show analytically that H diverges algebraically, approaching the percolation critical point p(c) as H |p-p(c)|(-1/σ) with the critical exponent σ associated with the characteristic cluster size. Interestingly, its finite-size-scaling behavior is governed by a new exponent ν H = 1+d (f)/(d)ν, where d(f) is the fractal dimension of the critical percolating cluster and ν is the correlation length exponent. The corresponding scaling variable defines a singular path to the critical point. All results are confirmed by numerical simulations.

Critical frontier of the Potts and percolation models on triangular-type and kagome-type lattices. II. Numerical analysis

In the preceding paper, one of us (F. Y. Wu) considered the Potts model and bond and site percolation on two general classes of two-dimensional lattices, the triangular-type and kagome-type lattices, and obtained closed-form expressions for the critical frontier with applications to various lattice models. For the triangular-type lattices Wu's result is exact, and for the kagome-type lattices Wu's expression is under a homogeneity assumption. The purpose of the present paper is twofold: First, an essential step in Wu's analysis is the derivation of lattice-dependent constants A,B,C for various lattice models, a process which can be tedious. We present here a derivation of these constants for subnet networks using a computer algorithm. Second, by means of a finite-size scaling analysis based on numerical transfer matrix calculations, we deduce critical properties and critical thresholds of various models and assess the accuracy of the homogeneity assumption. Specifically, we analyze the q -state Potts model and the bond percolation on the 3-12 and kagome-type subnet lattices (n×n):(n×n) , n≤4 , for which the exact solution is not known. Our numerical determination of critical properties such as conformal anomaly and magnetic correlation length verifies that the universality principle holds. To calibrate the accuracy of the finite-size procedure, we apply the same numerical analysis to models for which the exact critical frontiers are known. The comparison of numerical and exact results shows that our numerical values are correct within errors of our finite-size analysis, which correspond to 7 or 8 significant digits. This in turn infers that the homogeneity assumption determines critical frontiers with an accuracy of 5 decimal places or higher. Finally, we also obtained the exact percolation thresholds for site percolation on kagome-type subnet lattices (1×1):(n×n) for 1≤n≤6 .

Finite-time scaling via linear driving: application to the two-dimensional Potts model

We apply finite-time scaling to the q-state Potts model with q=3 and 4 on two-dimensional lattices to determine its critical properties. This consists in applying to the model a linearly varying external field that couples to one of its q states to manipulate its dynamics in the vicinity of its criticality and that drives the system out of equilibrium and thus produces hysteresis and in defining an order parameter other than the usual one and a nonequilibrium susceptibility to extract coercive fields. From the finite-time scaling of the order parameter, the coercivity, and the hysteresis area and its derivative, we are able to determine systematically both static and dynamic critical exponents as well as the critical temperature. The static critical exponents obtained in general and the magnetic exponent delta in particular agree reasonably with the conjectured ones. The dynamic critical exponents obtained appear to confirm the proposed dynamic weak universality but unlikely to agree with recent short-time dynamic results for q=4. Our results also suggest an alternative way to characterize the weak universality.

Square lattice gases with two- and three-body interactions revisited: a row-shifted (2x2) phase

Monte Carlo simulations have been used to study the phase diagrams for square Ising-lattice-gas models with two- and three-body interactions for values of interaction parameters in a range that has not been previously considered. We find unexpected qualitative differences as compared with predictions made on general grounds.

Microcanonical finite-size scaling in second-order phase transitions with diverging specific heat

A microcanonical finite-size ansatz in terms of quantities measurable in a finite lattice allows extending phenomenological renormalization (the so-called quotients method) to the microcanonical ensemble. The ansatz is tested numerically in two models where the canonical specific heat diverges at criticality, thus implying Fisher renormalization of the critical exponents: the three-dimensional ferromagnetic Ising model and the two-dimensional four-state Potts model (where large logarithmic corrections are known to occur in the canonical ensemble). A recently proposed microcanonical cluster method allows simulating systems as large as L=1024 (Potts) or L=128 (Ising). The quotients method provides accurate determinations of the anomalous dimension, eta, and of the (Fisher-renormalized) thermal nu exponent. While in the Ising model the numerical agreement with our theoretical expectations is very good, in the Potts case, we need to carefully incorporate logarithmic corrections to the microcanonical ansatz in order to rationalize our data.

Surface growth on diluted lattices by a restricted solid-on-solid model

An influence of diluted sites on surface growth has been investigated, using the restricted solid-on-solid model. It was found that, with respect to equilibrium growth, the surface width and the saturated width exhibited universal power-law behaviors, i.e., W approximately t(beta) and W(sat) approximately L(zeta), regarding all cases with respect to the concentration of diluted sites x=1-p , with p being the occupation probability on each lattice site. For x < x(c) (=1-p(c), p(c) being the percolation threshold), the growth appeared to be similar to that of a regular lattice, both in two and three dimensions. For x=x(c), the growth yielded nontrivial exponents which were different from those on a regular lattice. In nonequilibrium growth, a considerable amount of diluted sites (x < or = x(c)) appeared to yield nonuniversal growth, unlike the case of a regular lattice. The cause of nonuniversal growth dynamics has been investigated, considering the growth on a backbone cluster and on lattices constructed with periodically and randomly diluted subcells.

Multifractality of self-avoiding walks on percolation clusters

We consider self-avoiding walks on the backbone of percolation clusters in space dimensions d=2,3,4. Applying numerical simulations, we show that the whole multifractal spectrum of singularities emerges in exploring the peculiarities of the model. We obtain estimates for the set of critical exponents that govern scaling laws of higher moments of the distribution of percolation cluster sites visited by self-avoiding walks, in a good correspondence with an appropriately summed field-theoretical epsilon=6-d expansion [H.-K. Janssen and O. Stenull, Phys. Rev. E 75, 020801(R) (2007)10.1103/PhysRevE.75.020801].

Using exact relations in damage-spreading simulations: the Baxter line of the two-dimensional Ashkin-Teller model

The nearest-neighbor-interaction ferromagnetic Ashkin-Teller model is investigated on a square lattice through a powerful computational method for dealing with correlation functions in magnetic systems. This technique, which is based on damage-spreading numerical simulations, makes use of exact relations involving special kinds of damage and correlation functions, as well as the corresponding order parameters of the model. The computation of correlation functions, which represents usually a hard task in standard Monte Carlo simulations, due to large fluctuations, turns out to be much simpler within the present approach. We concentrate our analysis along the Baxter line, well known for its continuously varying critical exponents; seven different points along this line are investigated. The critical exponents associated with correlation functions along the Baxter line are successfully evaluated, by means of numerical methods, within damage-spreading simulations. The efficiency of this method is confirmed through precise estimates of the critical exponents associated with the order parameters (magnetization and polarization), as well as with their corresponding correlation functions, in spite of the small lattice sizes considered.

Percolation model for growth rates of aggregates and its application for business firm growth

Motivated by recent empirical studies of business firm growth, we develop a dynamic percolation model which captures some of the features of the economical system--i.e., merging and splitting of business firms--represented as aggregates on a d-dimensional lattice. We find the steady-state distribution of the aggregate size and explore how this distribution depends on the model parameters. We find that at the critical threshold, the standard deviation of the aggregate growth rates, sigma, increases with aggregate size S as sigma approximately S(beta), where beta can be explained in terms of the connectedness length exponent nu and the fractal dimension d(f), with beta=1(2nud(f)) approximately 0.20 for d=2 and 0.125 for d-->infinity. The distributions of aggregate growth rates have a sharp peak at the center and pronounced wings extending over many standard deviations, giving the distribution a tent-shape form--the Laplace distribution. The distributions for different aggregate sizes scaled by their standard deviations collapse onto the same curve.

Scaling relations for logarithmic corrections

Multiplicative logarithmic corrections to scaling are frequently encountered in the critical behavior of certain statistical-mechanical systems. Here, a Lee-Yang zero approach is used to systematically analyze the exponents of such logarithms and to propose scaling relations between them. These proposed relations are then confronted with a variety of results from the literature.

Fractal structure of spin clusters and domain walls in the two-dimensional Ising model

The fractal structure of spin clusters and their boundaries in the critical two-dimensional Ising model is investigated numerically. The fractal dimensions of these geometrical objects are estimated by means of Monte Carlo simulations on relatively small lattices through standard finite-size scaling. The obtained results are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions and partly provide significant improvements in precision over existing numerical estimates.

Simulation algorithms for the random-cluster model

We compare the performance of Monte Carlo algorithms for the simulation of the random-cluster representation of the q-state Potts model for continuous values of q. In particular we consider a local bond update method, a statistical reweighting method of percolation configurations, and a cluster algorithm, all of which generate Boltzmann statistics. The dynamic exponent z of the cluster algorithm appears to be quite small, and to assume the values of the Swendsen-Wang algorithm for q = 2 and 3. The cluster algorithm appears to be much more efficient than our versions of the other two methods for the simulation of the random-cluster model. The higher efficiency of the cluster method with respect to the local method is primarily due to the fact that the computer time usage of the local method increases more rapidly with system size; the difference between the dynamic exponents is less important.

Monochromatic path crossing exponents and graph connectivity in two-dimensional percolation

We consider the fractal dimensions d(k) of the k-connected part of percolation clusters in two dimensions, generalizing the cluster (k=1) and backbone (k=2) dimensions. The codimensions x(k)=2-d(k) describe the asymptotic decay of the probabilities P(r,R) approximately (r/R)(x(k)) that an annulus of radii r<<1 and R>>1 is traversed by k disjoint paths, all living on the percolation clusters. Using a transfer matrix approach, we obtain numerical results for x(k), k<or=6. They are well fitted by the ansatz x(k)=1 / 12k(2)+1 / 48k+(1-k)C, with C=0.0181+/-0.0006.

Beyond blobs in percolation cluster structure: the distribution of 3-blocks at the percolation threshold

The incipient infinite cluster appearing at the bond percolation threshold can be decomposed into singly connected "links" and multiply connected "blobs." Here we decompose blobs into objects known in graph theory as 3-blocks. A 3-block is a graph that cannot be separated into disconnected subgraphs by cutting the graph at two or fewer vertices. Clusters, blobs, and 3-blocks are special cases of k-blocks with k=1, 2, and 3, respectively. We study bond percolation clusters at the percolation threshold on two-dimensional (2D) square lattices and three-dimensional cubic lattices and, using Monte Carlo simulations, determine the distribution of the sizes of the 3-blocks into which the blobs are decomposed. We find that the 3-blocks have fractal dimension d(3)=1.2+/-0.1 in 2D and 1.15+/-0.1 in 3D. These fractal dimensions are significantly smaller than the fractal dimensions of the blobs, making possible more efficient calculation of percolation properties. Additionally, the closeness of the estimated values for d(3) in 2D and 3D is consistent with the possibility that d(3) is dimension independent. Generalizing the concept of the backbone, we introduce the concept of a "k-bone," which is the set of all points in a percolation system connected to k disjoint terminal points (or sets of disjoint terminal points) by k disjoint paths. We argue that the fractal dimension of a k-bone is equal to the fractal dimension of k-blocks, allowing us to discuss the relation between the fractal dimension of k-blocks and recent work on path crossing probabilities.

Rigidity of random networks of stiff fibers in the low-density limit

Rigidity percolation is analyzed in two-dimensional random networks of stiff fibers. As fibers are randomly added to the system there exists a density threshold q=q(min) above which a rigid stress-bearing percolation cluster appears. This threshold is found to be above the connectivity percolation threshold q=q(c) such that q(min)=(1.1698+/-0.0004)q(c). The transition is found to be continuous, and in the universality class of the two-dimensional central-force rigidity percolation on lattices. At percolation threshold the rigid backbone of the percolating cluster was found to break into rigid clusters, whose number diverges in the limit of infinite system size, when a critical bond is removed. The scaling with system size of the average size of these clusters was found to give a new scaling exponent delta=1.61+/-0.04.

Density of states, Potts zeros, and Fisher zeros of the Q-state Potts model for continuous Q

The Q-state Potts model can be extended to noninteger and even complex Q by expressing the partition function in the Fortuin-Kasteleyn (F-K) representation. In the F-K representation the partition function Z(Q,a) is a polynomial in Q and v=a-1 (a=e(betaJ)) and the coefficients of this polynomial, Phi(b,c), are the number of graphs on the lattice consisting of b bonds and c connected clusters. We introduce the random-cluster transfer matrix to compute Phi(b,c) exactly on finite square lattices with several types of boundary conditions. Given the F-K representation of the partition function we begin by studying the critical Potts model Z(CP)=Z(Q,a(c)(Q)), where a(c)(Q)=1+square root[Q]. We find a set of zeros in the complex w=square root[Q] plane that map to (or close to) the Beraha numbers for real positive Q. We also identify Q(c)(L), the value of Q for a lattice of width L above which the locus of zeros in the complex p=v/square root[Q] plane lies on the unit circle. By finite-size scaling we find that 1/Q(c)(L)-->0 as L-->infinity. We then study zeros of the antiferromagnetic (AF) Potts model in the complex Q plane and determine Q(c)(a), the largest value of Q for a fixed value of a below which there is AF order. We find excellent agreement with Baxter's conjecture Q(AF)(c)(a)=(1-a)(a+3). We also investigate the locus of zeros of the ferromagnetic Potts model in the complex Q plane and confirm that Q(FM)(c)(a)=(a-1)(2). We show that the edge singularity in the complex Q plane approaches Q(c) as Q(c)(L) approximately Q(c)+AL(-y(q)), and determine the scaling exponent y(q) for several values of Q. Finally, by finite-size scaling of the Fisher zeros near the antiferromagnetic critical point we determine the thermal exponent y(t) as a function of Q in the range 2</=Q</=3. Using data for lattices of size 3</=L</=8 we find that y(t) is a smooth function of Q and is well fitted by y(t)=(1+Au+Bu2)/(C+Du) where u=-(2/pi)cos(-1)(squareroot[Q]/2). For Q=3 we find y(t) approximately 0.6; however if we include lattices up to L=12 we find y(t) approximately 0.50(8) in rough agreement with a recent result of Ferreira and Sokal [J. Stat. Phys. 96, 461 (1999)].

Rigidity transition in two-dimensional random fiber networks

Rigidity percolation is analyzed in two-dimensional random fibrous networks. The model consists of central forces between the adjacent crossing points of the fibers. Two strategies are used to incorporate rigidity: adding extra constraints between second-nearest crossing points with a probability p(sn), and "welding" individual crossing points by adding there four additional constraints with a probability p(weld), and thus fixing the angles between the fibers. These additional constraints will make the model rigid at a critical probability p(sn)=p(sn)(c) and p(weld)=p(weld)(c), respectively. Accurate estimates are given for the transition thresholds and for some of the associated critical exponents. The transition is found in both cases to be in the same universality class as that of the two-dimensional central-force rigidity percolation in diluted lattices.

Interface localization-delocalization transition in a symmetric polymer blend: a finite-size scaling Monte Carlo study

Using extensive Monte Carlo simulations, we study the phase diagram of a symmetric binary (AB) polymer blend confined into a thin film as a function of the film thickness D. The monomer-wall interactions are short ranged and antisymmetric, i.e., the left wall attracts the A component of the mixture with the same strength as the right wall does the B component, and this gives rise to a first order wetting transition in a semi-infinite geometry. The phase diagram and the crossover between different critical behaviors is explored. For large film thicknesses we find a first order interface localization-delocalization transition, and the phase diagram comprises two critical points, which are the finite film width analogies of the prewetting critical point. Using finite-size scaling techniques we locate these critical points, and present evidence of a two-dimensional Ising critical behavior. When we reduce the film width the two critical points approach the symmetry axis straight phi=1/2 of the phase diagram, and for D approximately 2R(g) we encounter a tricritical point. For an even smaller film thickness the interface localization-delocalization transition is second order, and we find a single critical point at straight phi=1/2. Measuring the probability distribution of the interface position, we determine the effective interaction between the wall and the interface. This effective interface potential depends on the lateral system size even away from the critical points. Its system size dependence stems from the large but finite correlation length of capillary waves. This finding gives direct evidence of a renormalization of the interface potential by capillary waves in the framework of a microscopic model.