New technique for replica symmetry breaking with application to the SK-model at and near T=0

We describe a novel method which allows the treatment of high orders of replica-symmetry-breaking (RSB) at low temperatures as well as at T=0 directly, without a need for approximations or scaling assumptions. It yields the low temperature order function q(a,T) in the full range $0\leq a <\infty$ and is complete in the sense that all observables can be calculated from it. The behavior of some observables and the finite RSB theory itself is analyzed as one approaches continuous RSB. The validity and applicability of the traditional continuous formulation is then scrutinized and a new continuous RSB formulation is proposed

Replica Symmetry Breaking Instability in the 2D XY model in a random field

We study the 2D vortex-free XY model in a random field, a model for randomly pinned flux lines in a plane. We construct controlled RG recursion relations which allow for replica symmetry breaking (RSB). The fixed point previously found by Cardy and Ostlund in the glass phase $T<T_c$ is {\it unstable} to RSB. The susceptibility $\chi$ associated to infinitesimal RSB perturbation in the high-temperature phase is found to diverge as $\chi \propto (T-T_c)^{-\gamma}$ when $T \rightarrow T_c^{+}$. This provides analytical evidence that RSB occurs in finite dimensional models. The physical consequences for the glass phase are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, REVTeX, LPTENS-94/2

On a Dynamical-Like Replica-Symmetry-Breaking Scheme for the Spin Glass

Considering the unphysical result obtained in the calculation of the free-energy cost for twisting the boundary conditions in a spin glass, we trace it to the negative multiplicities associated with the Parisi replica-symmetry breaking (RSB). We point out that a distinct RSB, that keeps positive multiplicities, was proposed long ago, in the spirit of an ultra-long time dynamical approach due to Sompolinsky. For an homogeneous bulk system, both RSB schemes are known to yield identical free energies and observables. However, using the dynamical RSB, we have recalculated the twist free energy at the mean-field level. The free-energy cost of this twist is, as expected, positive in that scheme, as it should be

Replica Symmetry Breaking in the Critical Behaviour of the Random Ferromagnet

We study the critical properties of the weakly disordered $p$-component random Heisenberg ferromagnet. It is shown that if the specific heat critical exponent of the pure system is positive, the traditional renormalization group (RG) flows at dimensions D=4-\e, which are usually considered as describing the disorder-induced universal critical behavior, are {\it unstable} with respect to replica symmetry breaking (RSB) potentials as found in spin glasses. It is demonstrated that the RG flows involving RSB potentials lead to fixed points which have the structure known as the 1 step RSB, and there exists a whole spectrum of such fixed points. It is argued that spontaneous RSB can occur due to the interactions of the fluctuating fields with the local non-perturbative degrees of freedom coming from the multiple local minima solutions of the mean-field equations. However, it is not clear whether or not RSB occurs for infinitesimally weak disorder. Physical consequences of these conclusions are discussed.Comment: 20 pages, late

Replica Symmetry Breaking and the Renormalization Group Theory of the Weakly Disordered Ferromagnet

We study the critical properties of the weakly disordered $p$-component ferromagnet in terms of the renormalization group (RG) theory generalized to take into account the replica symmetry breaking (RSB) effects coming from the multiple local minima solutions of the mean-field equations. It is shown that for $p < 4$ the traditional RG flows at dimensions $D=4-\epsilon$, which are usually considered as describing the disorder-induced universal critical behavior, are unstable with respect to the RSB potentials as found in spin glasses. It is demonstrated that for a general type of the Parisi RSB structures there exists no stable fixed points, and the RG flows lead to the {\it strong coupling regime} at the finite scale $R_{*} \sim \exp(1/u)$, where $u$ is the small parameter describing the disorder. The physical concequences of the obtained RG solutions are discussed. In particular, we argue, that discovered RSB strong coupling phenomena indicate on the onset of a new spin glass type critical behaviour in the temperature interval $\tau < \tau_{*} \sim \exp(-1/u)$ near $T_{c}$. Possible relevance of the considered RSB effects for the Griffith phase is also discussed.Comment: 32 pages, Late

One-step replica symmetry breaking solution for a highly asymmetric two-sublattice fermionic Ising spin glass model in a transverse field

The one-step replica symmetry breaking (RSB) is used to study a two-sublattice fermionic infinite-range Ising spin glass (SG) model in a transverse field $\Gamma$. The problem is formulated in a Grassmann path integral formalism within the static approximation. In this model, a parallel magnetic field $H$ breaks the symmetry of the sublattices. It destroys the antiferromagnetic (AF) order, but it can favor the nonergodic mixed phase (SG+AF) characterizing an asymmetric RSB region. In this region, intra-sublattice disordered interactions $V$ increase the difference between the RSB solutions of each sublattice. The freezing temperature shows a higher increase with $H$ when $V$ enhances. A discontinue phase transition from the replica symmetry (RS) solution to the RSB solution can appear with the presence of an intra-sublattice ferromagnetic average coupling. The $\Gamma$ field introduces a quantum spin flip mechanism that suppresses the magnetic orders leading them to quantum critical points. Results suggest that the quantum effects are not able to restore the RS solution. However, in the asymmetric RSB region, $\Gamma$ can produce a stable RS solution at any finite temperature for a particular sublattice while the other sublattice still presents RSB solution for the special case in which only the intra-sublattice spins couple with disordered interactions.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.