Logarithmic Corrections to Scaling in the XY2XY_2--Model

We study the distribution of partition function zeroes for the $XY$--model in two dimensions. In particular we find the scaling behaviour of the end of the distribution of zeroes in the complex external magnetic field plane in the thermodynamic limit (the Yang--Lee edge) and the form for the density of these zeroes. Assuming that finite--size scaling holds, we show that there have to exist logarithmic corrections to the leading scaling behaviour of thermodynamic quantities in this model. These logarithmic corrections are also manifest in the finite--size scaling formulae and we identify them numerically. The method presented here can be used to check the compatibility of scaling behaviour of odd and even thermodynamic functions in other models too.Comment: 3 pages, latex, 2 figure

Phase transition strengths from the density of partition function zeroes

We report on a new method to extract thermodynamic properties from the density of partition function zeroes on finite lattices. This allows direct determination of the order and strength of phase transitions numerically. Furthermore, it enables efficient distinguishing between first- and second-order transitions, elucidates crossover between them and illuminates the origins of finite-size scaling. The power of the method is illustrated in typical applications for both Fisher and Lee-Yang zeroes.Comment: 3 pages, LaTeX, 4 postscript figures, Lattice2001(spin

Universal scaling relations for logarithmic-correction exponents

By the early 1960's advances in statistical physics had established the existence of universality classes for systems with second-order phase transitions and characterized these by critical exponents which are different to the classical ones. There followed the discovery of (now famous) scaling relations between the power-law critical exponents describing second-order criticality. These scaling relations are of fundamental importance and now form a cornerstone of statistical mechanics. In certain circumstances, such scaling behaviour is modified by multiplicative logarithmic corrections. These are also characterized by critical exponents, analogous to the standard ones. Recently scaling relations between these logarithmic exponents have been established. Here, the theories associated with these advances are presented and expanded and the status of investigations into logarithmic corrections in a variety of models is reviewed.Comment: Review prepared for the book "Order, Disorder, and Criticality. Vol. III", ed. by Yu. Holovatch and based on the Ising Lectures in Lviv. 48 pages, 1 figur

Two cultures: "them and us" in the academic world

Impact of academic research onto the non-academic world is of increasing importance as authorities seek return on public investment. Impact opens new opportunities for what are known as "professional services": as scientometrical tools bestow some with confidence they can quantify quality, the impact agenda brings lay measurements to evaluation of research. This paper is partly inspired by the famous "two cultures" discussion instigated by C.P. Snow over 60 years ago. He saw a chasm between different academic disciplines and I see a chasm between academics and professional services, bound into contact through competing targets. This paper draws on my personal experience and experiences recounted to me by colleagues in different universities in the UK. It is aimed at igniting discussions amongst people interested in improving the academic world and it is intended in a spirit of collaboration and constructiveness. As a professional services colleague said, what I have to say "needs to be said". It is my pleasure to submit this paper to the Festschrift devoted to the 60th birthday of a renowned physicist, my good friend and colleague Ihor Mryglod. Ihor's role as leader of the Institute for Condensed Matter Physics in Lviv has been essential to generating some of the impact described in this paper and forms a key element of the story I wish to tell.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figure

Phase Transition Strength through Densities of General Distributions of Zeroes

A recently developed technique for the determination of the density of partition function zeroes using data coming from finite-size systems is extended to deal with cases where the zeroes are not restricted to a curve in the complex plane and/or come in degenerate sets. The efficacy of the approach is demonstrated by application to a number of models for which these features are manifest and the zeroes are readily calculable.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figure

Homotopy in statistical physics

In condensed matter physics and related areas, topological defects play important roles in phase transitions and critical phenomena. Homotopy theory facilitates the classification of such topological defects. After a pedagogic introduction to the mathematical methods involved in topology and homotopy theory, the role of the latter in a number of mainly low-dimensional statistical-mechanical systems is outlined. Some recent activities in this area are reviewed and some possible future directions are discussed.Comment: Significant extensions and updates: 29 pages, 11 figures. Lecture given at the Mochima Spring School, Mochima, Venezuela, June 2006. To appear in Cond. Matt. Phy

New methods to measure phase transition strength

A recently developed technique to determine the order and strength of phase transitions by extracting the density of partition function zeroes (a continuous function) from finite-size systems (a discrete data set) is generalized to systems for which (i) some or all of the zeroes occur in degenerate sets and/or (ii) they are not confined to a singular line in the complex plane. The technique is demonstrated by application to the case of free Wilson fermions.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, Lattice2002(spin

Logarithmic Corrections to Scaling in the Two Dimensional XYXY--Model

By expressing thermodynamic functions in terms of the edge and density of Lee--Yang zeroes, we relate the scaling behaviour of the specific heat to that of the zero field magnetic susceptibility in the thermodynamic limit of the $XY$--model in two dimensions. Assuming that finite--size scaling holds, we show that the conventional Kosterlitz--Thouless scaling predictions for these thermodynamic functions are not mutually compatable unless they are modified by multiplicative logarithmic corrections. We identify these logarithmic corrections analytically in the case of the specific heat and numerically in the case of the susceptibility. The techniques presented here are general and can be used to check the compatibility of scaling behaviour of odd and even thermodynamic functions in other models too.Comment: 11 pages, latex, 4 figure