Critical behavior of weakly disordered anisotropic systems in two dimensions

Critical behavior of the pure and random-bond two-dimensional triangular Ising ferromagnet

We investigate the effects of quenched bond randomness on the critical properties of the two-dimensional ferromagnetic Ising model embedded in a triangular lattice. The system is studied in both the pure and disordered versions by the same efficient two-stage Wang-Landau method. In the first part of our study, we present the finite-size scaling behavior of the pure model, for which we calculate the critical amplitude of the specific heat's logarithmic expansion. For the disordered system, the numerical data and the relevant detailed finite-size scaling analysis along the lines of the two well-known scenarios-logarithmic corrections versus weak universality--strongly support the field-theoretically predicted scenario of logarithmic corrections. A particular interest is paid to the sample-to-sample fluctuations of the random model and their scaling behavior that are used as a successful alternative approach to criticality.

Scaling analysis of the site-diluted Ising model in two dimensions

A combination of recent numerical and theoretical advances are applied to analyze the scaling behavior of the site-diluted Ising model in two dimensions, paying special attention to the implications for multiplicative logarithmic corrections. The analysis focuses primarily on the odd sector of the model (i.e., that associated with magnetic exponents), and in particular on its Lee-Yang zeros, which are determined to high accuracy. Scaling relations are used to connect to the even (thermal) sector, and a first analysis of the density of zeros yields information on the specific heat and its corrections. The analysis is fully supportive of the strong scaling hypothesis and of the scaling relations for logarithmic corrections.

Universal dependence on disorder of two-dimensional randomly diluted and random-bond +/-J Ising models

We consider the two-dimensional randomly site diluted Ising model and the random-bond +/-J Ising model (also called the Edwards-Anderson model), and study their critical behavior at the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition. The critical behavior of thermodynamic quantities can be derived from a set of renormalization-group equations, in which disorder is a marginally irrelevant perturbation at the two-dimensional Ising fixed point. We discuss their solutions, focusing in particular on the universality of the logarithmic corrections arising from the presence of disorder. Then, we present a finite-size scaling analysis of high-statistics Monte Carlo simulations. The numerical results confirm the renormalization-group predictions, and in particular the universality of the logarithmic corrections to the Ising behavior due to quenched dilution.

Self-consistent scaling theory for logarithmic-correction exponents

Multiplicative logarithmic corrections frequently characterize critical behavior in statistical physics. Here, a recently proposed theory relating the exponents of such terms is extended to account for circumstances which often occur when the leading specific-heat critical exponent vanishes. Also, the theory is widened to encompass the correlation function. The new relations are then confronted with results from the literature, and some new predictions for logarithmic corrections in certain models are made.

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.

Softening of first-order transition in three-dimensions by quenched disorder

We study by extensive Monte Carlo simulations the effect of random bond dilution on the phase transition of the three-dimensional four-state Potts model that is known to exhibit a strong first-order transition in the pure case. The phase diagram in the dilution-temperature plane is determined from the peaks of the susceptibility for sufficiently large system sizes. In the strongly disordered regime, numerical evidence for softening to a second-order transition induced by randomness is given. Here a large-scale finite-size scaling analysis, made difficult due to strong crossover effects presumably caused by the percolation fixed point, is performed.