Non-universal size dependence of the free energy of confined systems near criticality

The singular part of the finite-size free energy density $f_s$ of the O(n) symmetric $\phi^4$ field theory in the large-n limit is calculated at finite cutoff for confined geometries of linear size L with periodic boundary conditions in 2 < d < 4 dimensions. We find that a sharp cutoff $\Lambda$ causes a non-universal leading size dependence $f_s \sim \Lambda^{d-2} L^{-2}$ near $T_c$ which dominates the universal scaling term $\sim L^{-d}$. This implies a non-universal critical Casimir effect at $T_c$ and a leading non-scaling term $\sim L^{-2}$ of the finite-size specific heat above $T_c$.Comment: RevTex, 4 page

Fluctuation force exerted by a planar self-avoiding polymer

Using results from Schramm Loewner evolution (SLE), we give the expression of the fluctuation-induced force exerted by a polymer on a small impenetrable disk, in various 2-dimensional domain geometries. We generalize to two polymers and examine whether the fluctuation force can trap the object into a stable equilibrium. We compute the force exerted on objects at the domain boundary, and the force mediated by the polymer between such objects. The results can straightforwardly be extended to any SLE interface, including Ising, percolation, and loop-erased random walks. Some are relevant for extremal value statistics.Comment: 7 pages, 22 figure

Influence of Capillary Condensation on the Near-Critical Solvation Force

We argue that in a fluid, or magnet, confined by adsorbing walls which favour liquid, or (+) phase, the solvation (Casimir) force in the vicinity of the critical point is strongly influenced by capillary condensation which occurs below the bulk critical temperature T_c. At T slightly below and above T_c, a small bulk field h<0, which favours gas, or (-) phase, leads to residual condensation and a solvation force which is much more attractive (at the same large wall separation) than that found exactly at the critical point. Our predictions are supported by results obtained from density-matrix renormalization-group calculations in a two-dimensional Ising strip subject to identical surface fields.Comment: 4 Pages, RevTeX, and 3 figures include

Nonuniversal finite-size scaling in anisotropic systems

We study the bulk and finite-size critical behavior of the O$(n)$ symmetric $\phi^4$ theory with spatially anisotropic interactions of non-cubic symmetry in $d<4$ dimensions. In such systems of a given $(d,n)$ universality class, two-scale factor universality is absent in bulk correlation functions, and finite-size scaling functions including the Privman-Fisher scaling form of the free energy, the Binder cumulant ratio and the Casimir amplitude are shown to be nonuniversal. In particular it is shown that, for anisotropic confined systems, isotropy cannot be restored by an anisotropic scale transformation.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. E and modifications of tex

THEORY OF PHASE-LOCKING IN SMALL JOSEPHSON JUNCTION CELLS

Within the RSJ model, we performed a theoretical analysis of phase-locking in elementary strongly coupled Josephson junction cells. For this purpose, we developed a systematic method allowing the investigation of phase-locking in cells with small but non-vanishing loop inductance.The voltages across the junctions are found to be locked with very small phase difference for almost all values of external flux. However, the general behavior of phase-locking is found to be just contrary to that according to weak coupling. In case of strong coupling there is nearly no influence of external magnetic flux on the phases, but the locking-frequency becomes flux-dependent. The influence of parameter splitting is considered as well as the effect of small capacitive shunting of the junctions. Strongly coupled cells show synchronization even for large parameter splitting. Finally, a study of the behavior under external microwave radiation shows that the frequency locking-range becomes strongly flux-dependent, whereas the locking frequency itself turns out to be flux-independent.Comment: 26 pages, REVTEX, 9 PS figures appended in uuencoded form at the end, submitted to Phys. Rev. B

Dynamic Critical Behavior of the Heisenberg Model with Strong Easy Plane Anisotropy

The dynamic critical behavior of the Heisenberg model with a strong anisotropy of the exchange constant in the z direction is investigated. The main features of the time evolution of this model are revealed. The static and dynamic critical behavior of planar magnetic models is shown to be described well by the Heisenberg model with strong easy plane anisotropy.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl

Critical free energy and Casimir forces in rectangular geometries

We study the critical behavior of the free energy and the thermodynamic Casimir force in a $L_\parallel^{d-1} \times L$ block geometry in $2<d<4$ dimensions with aspect ratio $\rho=L/L_\parallel$ above, at, and below $T_c$ on the basis of the O$(n)$ symmetric $\phi^4$ lattice model with periodic boundary conditions (b.c.). We consider a simple-cubic lattice with isotropic short-range interactions. Exact results are derived in the large - $n$ limit describing the geometric crossover from film ($\rho =0$) over cubic $\rho=1$ to cylindrical ($\rho = \infty$) geometries. For $n=1$, three perturbation approaches are presented that cover both the central finite-size regime near $T_c$ for $1/4 \lesssim \rho \lesssim 3$ and the region outside the central finite-size regime well above and below $T_c$ for arbitrary $\rho$. At bulk $T_c$ of isotropic systems with periodic b.c., we predict the critical Casimir force in the vertical $(L)$ direction to be negative (attractive) for a slab ($\rho 1$), and zero for a cube $(\rho=1)$. We also present extrapolations to the cylinder limit ($\rho=\infty$) and to the film limit ($\rho=0$) for $n=1$ and $d=3$. Our analytic results for finite-size scaling functions in the minimal renormalization scheme at fixed dimension $d=3$ agree well with Monte Carlo data for the three-dimensional Ising model by Hasenbusch for $\rho=1$ and by Vasilyev et al. for $\rho=1/6$ above, at, and below $T_c$.Comment: 23 pages, 14 figure

Universality of the thermodynamic Casimir effect

Recently a nonuniversal character of the leading spatial behavior of the thermodynamic Casimir force has been reported [X. S. Chen and V. Dohm, Phys. Rev. E {\bf 66}, 016102 (2002)]. We reconsider the arguments leading to this observation and show that there is no such leading nonuniversal term in systems with short-ranged interactions if one treats properly the effects generated by a sharp momentum cutoff in the Fourier transform of the interaction potential. We also conclude that lattice and continuum models then produce results in mutual agreement independent of the cutoff scheme, contrary to the aforementioned report. All results are consistent with the {\em universal} character of the Casimir force in systems with short-ranged interactions. The effects due to dispersion forces are discussed for systems with periodic or realistic boundary conditions. In contrast to systems with short-ranged interactions, for $L/\xi \gg 1$ one observes leading finite-size contributions governed by power laws in $L$ due to the subleading long-ranged character of the interaction, where $L$ is the finite system size and $\xi$ is the correlation length.Comment: 11 pages, revtex, to appear in Phys. Rev. E 68 (2003

Local functional models of critical correlations in thin-films

Recent work on local functional theories of critical inhomogeneous fluids and Ising-like magnets has shown them to be a potentially exact, or near exact, description of universal finite-size effects associated with the excess free-energy and scaling of one-point functions in critical thin films. This approach is extended to predict the two-point correlation function G in critical thin-films with symmetric surface fields in arbitrary dimension d. In d=2 we show there is exact agreement with the predictions of conformal invariance for the complete spectrum of correlation lengths as well as the detailed position dependence of the asymptotic decay of G. In d=3 and d>=4 we present new numerical predictions for the universal finite-size correlation length and scaling functions determining the structure of G across the thin-film. Highly accurate analytical closed form expressions for these universal properties are derived in arbitrary dimension.Comment: 4 pages, 1 postscript figure. Submitted to Phys Rev Let