We show how to couple two critical Q-state Potts models to yield a new self-dual critical point. We also present strong evidence of a dense critical phase near this critical point when the Potts models are defined in their completely packed loop representations. In the continuum limit, the new critical point is described by an SU(2) coset conformal field theory, while in this limit of the the critical phase, the two loop models decouple. Using a combination of exact results and numerics, we also obtain the phase diagram in the presence of vacancies. We generalize these results to coupling two Potts models at different Q.
We discuss the critical behaviour of 2D Ising and q-states Potts models coupled by their energy density. We found new tricritical points. The procedure employed is the renormalisation approach of the perturbations series around conformal field theories representing pure models as already used for disordered spins models. This analysis could be useful to understand the physics of coupled critical models like the fully frustrated XY model.
We present selfdual manifolds for coupled Potts models on the triangular lattice. We exploit two different techniques: duality followed by decimation, and mapping to a related loop model. The latter technique is found to be superior, and it allows to include three-spin couplings. Starting from three coupled models, such couplings are necessary for generating selfdual solutions. A numerical study of the case of two coupled models leads to the identification of novel critical points.
We establish explicit duality transformations for systems of M q-state Potts models coupled through their local energy density, generalising known results for M=1,2,3. The M-dimensional space of coupling constants contains a selfdual sub-manifold of dimension D_M = [M/2]. For the case M=4, the variation of the effective central charge along the selfdual surface is investigated by numerical transfer matrix techniques. Evidence is given for the existence of a family of critical points, corresponding to conformal field theories with an extended S_M symmetry algebra.
The existence and limits of metastable droplets have been calculated using finite-system renormalization-group theory, for q-state Potts models in spatial dimension d=3. The dependence of the droplet critical sizes on magnetic field, temperature, and number of Potts states q has been calculated. The same method has also been used for the calculation of hysteresis loops across first-order phase transitions in these systems. The hysteresis loop sizes and shapes have been deduced as a function of magnetic field, temperature, and number of Potts states q. The uneven appearance of asymmetry in the …
We study systems of M Potts models coupled by their local energy density. Each model is taken to have a distinct number of states, and the permutational symmetry S_M present in the case of identical coupled models is thus broken initially. The duality transformations within the space of 2^M-1 multi-energy couplings are shown to have a particularly simple form. The selfdual manifold has dimension D_M = 2^{M-1}-1. Specialising to the case M=3, we identify a unique non-trivial critical point in the three-dimensional selfdual space. We compare its critical exponents as computed from the perturbati…
We use scale invariant scattering theory to exactly determine the renormalization group fixed points of a $q$-state Potts model coupled to an $r$-state Potts model in two dimensions. For integer values of $q$ and $r$ the fixed point equations are very constraining and show in particular that scale invariance in coupled Potts ferromagnets is limited to the Ashkin-Teller case ($q=r=2$). Since our results extend to continuous values of the number of states, we can access the limit $r\to 1$ corresponding to correlated percolation, and show that the critical properties of Potts spin clusters cannot…
A model for the study of hysteresis and avalanches in a first-order phase transition from a single variant phase to a multivariant phase is presented. The model is based on a modification of the Random Field Potts model with metastable dynamics by adding a dipolar interaction term truncated at nearest neighbors. We focus our study on hysteresis loop properties, on the three-dimensional (3D) microstructure formation and on avalanche statistics.
We revisit the long standing problem of the geometric free variable approach to computing the generating function for disk amplitudes in the matrix model formulation of the 3-state Potts model coupled to 2D discrete gravity. This method is a mild generalisation of Schwinger Dyson (loop-)equations approach, using graphical arguments to derive a single generating equation in non-commutative variables that contain the information of all loop equations. The method of constructing the generating equation is reviewed, we explain how a larger class of constraints than previously known can be construc…
We develop a field-theoretic representation for the configurations of an interface between two ordered phases of a q-state Potts model in two dimensions, in the solid-on-solid approximation. The model resembles the field theory of directed percolation and may be analysed using similar renormalisation group methods. In the one-loop approximation these reveal a simple mechanism for the emergence of a critical value q_c, such that for q<q_c the interface becomes a fractal with a vanishing interfacial tension at the critical point, while for q>q_c the interfacial width diverges at a finite value o…
We uncover a connection between two seemingly separate subjects in integrable models: the representation theory of the affine Temperley-Lieb algebra, and the algebraic structure of solutions to the Bethe equations of the XXZ spin chain. We study the solution of Bethe equations analytically by computational algebraic geometry, and find that the solution space encodes rich information about the representation theory of Temperley-Lieb algebra. Using these connections, we compute the partition function of the completely-packed loop model and of the closely related random-cluster Potts model, on me…
Addressing the nature of an unexpected smectic-A' phase in liquid crystal 54COOBC films, we perform large scale Monte Carlo simulations of a coupled hexatic-nematic XY model. The resulting finite-temperature phase diagram reveals a small region with composite Potts $\mathbb{Z}_3$ order above the vortex binding transition; this phase is characterized by relative hexatic-nematic ordering though both variables are disordered. The system develops algebraic hexatic and nematic order only at a lower temperature. This multi-step melting scenario agrees well with the experimental observations of a sha…
We study two $Q$-state Potts models coupled by the product of their energy operators, in the regime $2 < Q \le 4$ where the coupling is relevant. A particular choice of weights on the square lattice is shown to be equivalent to the integrable $a_3^{(2)}$ vertex model. It corresponds to a selfdual system of two antiferromagnetic Potts models, coupled ferromagnetically. We derive the Bethe Ansatz equations and study them numerically for two arbitrary twist angles. The continuum limit is shown to involve two compact bosons and one non compact boson, with discrete states emerging from the continuu…
We develop a dynamic field-theoretic renormalization-group (RG) theory for the cooling first-order phase transitions in the Potts model. It is suggested that the well-known imaginary fixed points of the $q$-state Potts model for $q>10/3$ in the RG theory are the origin of the dynamic scaling found recently, apart from the logarithmic corrections. This indicates that the real and imaginary fixed points of the Potts model are both physical and control the scalings of the continuous and discontinuous phase transitions, respectively, of the model. Our one-loop results for the scaling exponents are…
We present a Monte Carlo study of the backbone and the shortest-path exponents of the two-dimensional $Q$-state Potts model in the Fortuin-Kasteleyn bond representation. We first use cluster algorithms to simulate the critical Potts model on the square lattice and obtain the backbone exponents $d_{\rm B} = 1.732 \, 0(3)$ and $1.794(2)$ for $Q=2,3$ respectively. However, for large $Q$, the study suffers from serious critical slowing down and slowly converging finite-size corrections. To overcome these difficulties, we consider the O$(n)$ loop model on the honeycomb lattice in the densely packed…
The phase transitions of random-field q-state Potts models in d=3 dimensions are studied by renormalization-group theory by exact solution of a hierarchical lattice and, equivalently, approximate Migdal-Kadanoff solutions of a cubic lattice. The recursion, under rescaling, of coupled random-field and random-bond (induced under rescaling by random fields) coupled probability distributions is followed to obtain phase diagrams. Unlike the Ising model (q=2), several types of random fields can be defined for q >= 3 Potts models, including random-axis favored, random-axis disfavored, random-axis ran…
Monodromy matrices of the $τ_2$ model are known to satisfy a Yang--Baxter equation with a six-vertex $R$-matrix as the intertwiner. The commutation relations of the elements of the monodromy matrices are completely determined by this $R$-matrix. We show the reason why in the superintegrable case the eigenspace is degenerate, but not in the general case. We then show that the eigenspaces of special CSOS models descending from the chiral Potts model are also degenerate. The existence of an $L({\mathfrak{sl}}_2)$ quantum loop algebra (or subalgebra) in these models is established by showing that …
We analyse in this article the critical behavior of $M$ $q_1$-state Potts models coupled to $N$ $q_2$-state Potts models ($q_1,q_2\in [2..4]$) with and without disorder. The technics we use are based on perturbed conformal theories. Calculations have been performed at two loops. We already find some interesting situations in the pure case for some peculiar values of $M$ and $N$ with new tricritical points. When adding weak disorder, the results we obtain tend to show that disorder makes the models decouple. Therefore, no relations emerges, at a perturbation level, between for example the disor…
We consider q-state Potts models coupled by their energy operators. Restricting our study to self-dual couplings, numerical simulations demonstrate the existence of non-trivial fixed points for 2 <= q <= 4. These fixed points were first predicted by perturbative renormalisation group calculations. Accurate values for the central charge and the multiscaling exponents of the spin and energy operators are calculated using a series of novel transfer matrix algorithms employing clusters and loops. These results compare well with those of the perturbative expansion, in the range of parameter values …
We consider the fractal dimensions of critical clusters occurring in configurations of a q-state Potts model coupled to the planar random graphs of the dynamical triangulations formulation of Euclidean quantum gravity in two dimensions. For regular lattices, it is well-established that at criticality the properties of Fortuin-Kasteleyn clusters are directly related to the conventional critical exponents, whereas the corresponding properties of the geometric clusters of like spins are not. Recently it has been observed that the latter are related to the critical properties of a tricritical Pott…
We study $F$ coupled $q$-state Potts models in a two-dimensional square lattice. The interaction between the different layers is attractive, to favour 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 …
Potts spin systems play a fundamental role in statistical mechanics and quantum field theory, and can be studied within the spin, the Fortuin-Kasteleyn (FK) bond or the $q$-flow (loop) representation. We introduce a Loop-Cluster (LC) joint model of bond-occupation variables interacting with $q$-flow variables, and formulate a LC algorithm that is found to be in the same dynamical universality as the celebrated Swendsen-Wang algorithm. This leads to a theoretical unification for all the representations, and numerically, one can apply the most efficient algorithm in one representation and measur…
The hamiltonian of the $N$-state superintegrable chiral Potts (SICP) model is written in terms of a coupled algebra defined by $N-1$ types of Temperley-Lieb generators. This generalises a previous result for $N=3$ obtained by J. F. Fjelstad and T. Månsson [J. Phys. A {\bf 45} (2012) 155208]. A pictorial representation of a related coupled algebra is given for the $N=3$ case which involves a generalisation of the pictorial presentation of the Temperley-Lieb algebra to include a pole around which loops can become entangled. For the two known representations of this algebra, the $N=3$ SICP chain …
The first-order phase transition of the two-dimensional eight-state Potts model is shown to be rounded when long-range correlated disorder is coupled to energy density. Critical exponents are estimated by means of large-scale Monte Carlo simulations. In contrast to uncorrelated disorder, a violation of the hyperscaling relation $γ/ν=d-2x_σ$ is observed. Even though the system is not frustrated, disorder fluctuations are strong enough to cause this violation in the very same way as in the 3D random-field Ising model. In the thermal sector too, evidence is given for such violation in the two hyp…
The loop algebra $L(\mathfrak{sl}_{2})$ symmetry is found in a sector of the nilpotent Bazhanov-Stroganov model. The Drinfeld polynomial of a $L(\mathfrak{sl}_{2})$-degenerate eigenspace of the model is equivalent to the polynomial which characterizes a subspace with the Ising-like spectrum of the superintegrable chiral Potts model.
The geometrical critical behaviour of the two-dimensional Q-state Potts model is usually studied in terms of the Fortuin-Kasteleyn (FK) clusters, or their surrounding loops. In this paper we study a quite different geometrical object: the spin clusters, defined as connected domains where the spin takes a constant value. Unlike the usual loops, the domain walls separating different spin clusters can cross and branch. Moreover, they come in two versions, "thin" or "thick", depending on whether they separate spin clusters of different or identical colours. For these reasons their critical behavio…
We show that the order-disorder phase transition in the three state Potts ferromagnet on a square lattice is driven by a coupled proliferation of vortices and domain walls. Raising the vortex core energy above a certain value decouples the proliferation and splits the transition into two. The phase between the two transitions exhibits an emergent U(1) symmetry and quasi long range order. Lowering the core energy also splits the order-disorder transition but the proliferation does not decouple and a vortex lattice appears as the intermediate phase.
We study the four-state antiferromagnetic Potts model on the triangular lattice. We show that the model has six types of defects which diffuse and annihilate according to certain conservation laws consistent with their having a vector-valued topological charge. Using the properties of these defects, we deduce a 2+2-dimensional height representation for the model and hence show that the model is equivalent to the three-state Potts antiferromagnet on the Kagome lattice and to bond-coloring models on the triangular and hexagonal lattices. We also calculate critical exponents for the ground state …
We obtain long series expansions for the bulk, surface and corner free energies for several two-dimensional statistical models, by combining Enting's finite lattice method (FLM) with exact transfer matrix enumerations. The models encompass all integrable curves of the Q-state Potts model on the square and triangular lattices, including the antiferromagnetic transition curves and the Ising model (Q=2) at temperature T, as well as a fully-packed O(n) type loop model on the square lattice. The expansions are around the trivial fixed points at infinite Q, n or 1/T. By using a carefully chosen expa…
Backbone three-point correlation function in the two-dimensional Potts model
Hefei University of Technology（合肥工业大学）；University of Science and Technology of China（中国科学技术大学）；CNRS-Laboratoire de Physique de l’Ecole Normale Supériure, PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité（法国国家科学研究中心-巴黎高等师范学院物理实验室，PSL研究大学，索邦大学，巴黎西岱大学）；Institut de Physique Théorique, CEA, CRNS, Université Paris–Saclay（理论物理研究所，法国原子能和替代能源委员会，法国国家科学研究中心，巴黎萨克雷大学）；Universidad Carlos III de Madrid（马德里卡洛斯三世大学）
We compute the crossover exponents of all quadratic and cubic deformations of critical field theories with permutation symmetry $S_q$ in $d=6-ε$ (Landau-Potts field theories) and $d=4-ε$ (hypertetrahedral models) up to three loops.We use our results to determine the $ε$-expansion of the fractal dimension of critical clusters in the most interesting cases, which include spanning trees and forests ($q\to0$), and bond percolations ($q\to1$). We also explicitly verify several expected degeneracies in the spectrum of relevant operators for natural values of $q$ upon analytic continuation, which are…
We propose exact expressions for the conformal anomaly and for three critical exponents of the tricritical O(n) loop model as a function of n in the range $-2 \leq n \leq 3/2$. These findings are based on an analogy with known relations between Potts and O(n) models, and on an exact solution of a 'tri-tricritical' Potts model described in the literature. We verify the exact expressions for the tricritical O(n) model by means of a finite-size scaling analysis based on numerical transfer-matrix calculations.
The spectrum of conformal weights for the CFT describing the two-dimensional critical $Q$-state Potts model (or its close cousin, the dense loop model) has been known for more than 30 years. However, the exact nature of the corresponding $\hbox{Vir}\otimes\overline{\hbox{Vir}}$ representations has remained unknown up to now. Here, we solve the problem for generic values of $Q$. This is achieved by a mixture of different techniques: a careful study of "Koo--Saleur generators" [arXiv:hep-th/9312156], combined with measurements of four-point amplitudes, on the numerical side, and OPEs and the fou…
In this article, we generalize known formulas for crossing probabilities. Prior crossing results date back to J. Cardy's prediction of a formula for the probability that a percolation cluster in two dimensions connects the left and right sides of a rectangle at the percolation critical point in the continuum limit. Here, we predict a new formula for crossing probabilities of a continuum limit loop-gas model on a planar lattice inside a $2N$-sided polygon. In this model, boundary loops exit and then re-enter the polygon through its vertices, with exactly one loop passing once through each verte…
We study homogeneous nucleation in the two-dimensional $q-$state Potts model for $q=3,5,10,20$ and ferromagnetic couplings $J_{ij} \propto Θ(R - |i-j|)$, by means of Monte Carlo simulations employing heat bath dynamics. Metastability is induced in the low temperature phase through an instantaneous quench of the magnetic field coupled to one of the $q$ spin states. The quench depth is adjusted, depending on the value of temperature $T$, interaction range $R$, and number of states $q$, in such a way that a constant nucleation time is always obtained. In this setup we analyze the crossover betwee…
We solve the antiferromagnetic transition for the Q-state Potts model (defined geometrically for Q generic) on the square lattice. The solution is based on a detailed analysis of the Bethe ansatz equations (which involve staggered source terms) and on extensive numerical diagonalization of transfer matrices. It involves subtle distinctions between the loop/cluster version of the model, and the associated RSOS and (twisted) vertex models. The latter's continuum limit involves two bosons, one which is compact and twisted, and the other which is not, with a total central charge c=2-6/t, for sqrt(…
We study complex CFTs describing fixed points of the two-dimensional $Q$-state Potts model with $Q>4$. Their existence is closely related to the weak first-order phase transition and walking RG behavior present in the real Potts model at $Q>4$. The Potts model, apart from its own significance, serves as an ideal playground for testing this very general relation. Cluster formulation provides nonperturbative definition for a continuous range of parameter $Q$, while Coulomb gas description and connection to minimal models provide some conformal data of the complex CFTs. We use one and two-loop co…
Critical behaviour of a nearly critical system, subjected to vivid turbulent mixing, is studied by means of the field theoretic renormalization group. Namely, relaxational stochastic dynamics of a non-conserved order parameter of the Ashkin-Teller-Potts model, coupled to a random velocity field with prescribed statistics, is considered. The mixing is modelled by Kraichnan's rapid-change ensemble: time-decorrelated Gaussian velocity field with the power-like spectrum $\propto k^{-d-ξ}$. It is shown that, depending on the symmetry group of the underlying Potts model, the degree of compressibilit…
Fully packed loop models on the square and the honeycomb lattice constitute new classes of critical behaviour, distinct from those of the low-temperature O(n) model. A simple symmetry argument suggests that such compact phases are only possible when the underlying lattice is bipartite. Motivated by the hope of identifying further compact universality classes we therefore study the fully packed loop model on the square-octagon lattice. Surprisingly, this model is only critical for loop weights n < 1.88, and its scaling limit coincides with the dense phase of the O(n) model. For n=2 it is exactl…
A relation between the average length of loops and their free energy is obtained for a variety of O(n)-type models on two-dimensional lattices, by extending to finite temperatures a calculation due to Kast. We show that the (number) averaged loop length L stays finite for all non-zero fugacities n, and in particular it does not diverge upon entering the critical regime n -> 2+. Fully packed loop (FPL) models with n=2 seem to obey the simple relation L = 3 L_min, where L_min is the smallest loop length allowed by the underlying lattice. We demonstrate this analytically for the FPL model on the …
We study the O(N) loop model on the Honeycomb lattice with real value $N \geq 1$ by means of a cluster algorithm. The formulation of the algorithm is based on the equivalence of the O(N) loop model and the low-temperature graphical representation of a $N$-color Ashkin-Teller model on the triangular lattice. The latter model with integer $N$ can be simulated by means of an embedding Swendsen-Wang-type cluster method. By taking into account the symmetry among loops of different colors, we develop another version of the Swendsen-Wang-type method. This version allows the number of colors $N$ to ta…
Critical behaviour of a system, subjected to strongly anisotropic turbulent mixing, is studied by means of the field theoretic renormalization group. Specifically, relaxational stochastic dynamics of a non-conserved multicomponent order parameter of the Ashkin-Teller-Potts model, coupled to a random velocity field with prescribed statistics, is considered. The velocity is taken Gaussian, white in time, with correlation function of the form $\propto δ(t-t') /|{\bf k}_{\bot}|^{d-1+ξ}$, where ${\bf k}_{\bot}$ is the component of the wave vector, perpendicular to the distinguished direction ("dire…
We explore the physical properties of the completely packed O($n$) loop model on the square lattice, and its generalization to an Eulerian graph model, which follows by including cubic vertices which connect the four incoming loop segments. This model includes crossing bonds as well. Our study of the properties of this model involve transfer-matrix calculations and finite-size scaling. The numerical results are compared to existing exact solutions, including solutions of special cases of a so-called coloring model, which are shown to be equivalent with our generalized loop model. The latter ex…
Motivated by studies on current magnification in quantum mesoscopic systems we consider sound and heat transmission in classical models of oscillator chains. A loop of coupled oscillators is connected to two leads through which one can either transmit monochromatic waves or white noise signal from heat baths. We look for the possibility of current magnification in this system due to some asymmetry introduced between the two arms in the loop. We find that current magnification is indeed obtained for particular frequency ranges. However the integrated current shows the effect only in the presenc…
We investigate, both analytically and numerically, the phase diagram of three-dimensional Z(N) lattice gauge theories at finite temperature for N > 4. These models, in the strong coupling limit, are equivalent to a generalized version of vector Potts models in two dimension, with Polyakov loops playing the role of Z(N) spins. It is argued that the effective spin models have two phase transitions of infinite order (i.e. BKT). Using a cluster algorithm we confirm this conjecture, locate the position of the critical points and extract various critical indices.
Based on the strong coupling expansion we obtain effective 3-dimensional models for the Polyakov loop in finite-temperature G_2 gluodynamics. The Svetitsky-Jaffe conjecture relates the resulting continuous spin models with G_2 gluodynamics near phase transition points. In the present work we analyse the effective theory in leading order with the help of a generalised mean field approximation and with detailed Monte-Carlo simulations. In addition we derive a Potts-type discrete spin model by restricting the characters of the Polyakov loops to the three extremal points of the fundamental domain …
We study effective lattice actions describing the Polyakov loop dynamics originating from finite-temperature Yang-Mills theory. Starting with a strong-coupling expansion the effective action is obtained as a series of Z(3)-invariant operators involving higher and higher powers of the Polyakov loop, each with its own coupling. Truncating to a subclass with two couplings we perform a detailed analysis of the statistical mechanics involved. To this end we employ a modified mean field approximation and Monte Carlo simulations based on a novel cluster algorithm. We find excellent agreement of both …
We discuss the effects of exponential fragmentation of the Hilbert space on phase transitions in the context of coupled ferromagnetic Ising models in arbitrary dimension with special emphasis on the one dimensional case. We show that the dynamics generated by quantum fluctuations is bounded within spatial partitions of the system and weak mixing of these partitions caused by global transverse fields leads to a zero temperature phase with ordering in the local product of both Ising copies but no long range order in either species. This leads to a natural connection with the Ashkin-Teller univer…
In previous work with Scullard, we defined a graph polynomial P_B(q,T) that gives access to the critical temperature T_c of the q-state Potts model on a general two-dimensional lattice L. It depends on a basis B, containing n x m unit cells of L, and the relevant root of P_B(q,T) was observed to converge quickly to T_c in the limit n,m to infinity. Moreover, in exactly solvable cases there is no finite-size dependence at all. We reformulate this method as an eigenvalue problem within the periodic Temperley-Lieb algebra. This corresponds to taking m to infinity first, so the bases B are semi-in…
We develop a novel real-space renormalization group (RG) scheme which accurately estimates correlation length exponent $ν$ near criticality of higher-dimensional quantum Ising and Potts models in a transverse field. Our method is remarkably simple (often analytical), grouping only a few spins into a block spin so that renormalized Hamiltonian has a closed form. A previous difficulty of spatial anisotropy and unwanted terms is avoided by incorporating rotational invariance and internal $\mathbb{Z}_q$ symmetries of the Hamiltonian. By applying this scheme to the (2+1)-dim Ising model on a triang…
