Complex phase-ordering of the one-dimensional Heisenberg model with conserved order parameter

We study the phase-ordering kinetics of the one-dimensional Heisenberg model with conserved order parameter, by means of scaling arguments and numerical simulations. We find a rich dynamical pattern with a regime characterized by two distinct growing lengths. Spins are found to be coplanar over regions of a typical size $L_V(t)$, while inside these regions smooth rotations associated to a smaller length $L_C(t)$ are observed. Two different and coexisting ordering mechanisms are associated to these lengths, leading to different growth laws $L_V(t)\sim t^{1/3}$ and $L_C(t)\sim t^{1/4}$ violating dynamical scaling.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures. To appear on Phys. Rev. E (2009

The inverse Mermin-Wagner theorem for classical spin models on graphs

In this letter we present the inversion of the Mermin-Wagner theorem on graphs, by proving the existence of spontaneous magnetization at finite temperature for classical spin models on transient on the average (TOA) graphs, i.e. graphs where a random walker returns to its starting point with an average probability $\bar F < 1$. This result, which is here proven for models with O(n) symmetry, includes as a particular case $n=1$, providing a very general condition for spontaneous symmetry breaking on inhomogeneous structures even for the Ising model.Comment: 4 Pages, to appear on PR

The Type-problem on the Average for random walks on graphs

When averages over all starting points are considered, the Type Problem for the recurrence or transience of a simple random walk on an inhomogeneous network in general differs from the usual "local" Type Problem. This difference leads to a new classification of inhomogeneous discrete structures in terms of {\it recurrence} and {\it transience} {\it on the average}, describing their large scale topology from a "statistical" point of view. In this paper we analyze this classification and the properties connected to it, showing how the average behavior affects the thermodynamic properties of statistical models on graphs.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures. to appear on EPJ

Local and average behavior in inhomogeneous superdiffusive media

We consider a random walk on one-dimensional inhomogeneous graphs built from Cantor fractals. Our study is motivated by recent experiments that demonstrated superdiffusion of light in complex disordered materials, thereby termed L\'evy glasses. We introduce a geometric parameter $\alpha$ which plays a role analogous to the exponent characterizing the step length distribution in random systems. We study the large-time behavior of both local and average observables; for the latter case, we distinguish two different types of averages, respectively over the set of all initial sites and over the scattering sites only. The "single long jump approximation" is applied to analytically determine the different asymptotic behaviours as a function of $\alpha$ and to understand their origin. We also discuss the possibility that the root of the mean square displacement and the characteristic length of the walker distribution may grow according to different power laws; this anomalous behaviour is typical of processes characterized by L\'evy statistics and here, in particular, it is shown to influence average quantities

Quantum Criticality in a Bosonic Josephson Junction

In this paper we consider a bosonic Josephson junction described by a two-mode Bose-Hubbard model, and we thoroughly analyze a quantum phase transition occurring in the system in the limit of infinite bosonic population. We discuss the relation between this quantum phase transition and the dynamical bifurcation occurring in the spectrum of the Discrete Self Trapping equations describing the system at the semiclassical level. In particular, we identify five regimes depending on the strength of the effective interaction among bosons, and study the finite-size effects arising from the finiteness of the bosonic population. We devote a special attention to the critical regime which reduces to the dynamical bifurcation point in the thermodynamic limit of infinite bosonic population. Specifically, we highlight an anomalous scaling in the population imbalance between the two wells of the trapping potential, as well as in two quantities borrowed from Quantum Information Theory, i.e. the entropy of entanglement and the ground-state fidelity. Our analysis is not limited to the zero temperature case, but considers thermal effects as well.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figure

Fractal geometry of Ising magnetic patterns: signatures of criticality and diffusive dynamics

We investigate the geometric properties displayed by the magnetic patterns developing on a two-dimensional Ising system, when a diffusive thermal dynamics is adopted. Such a dynamics is generated by a random walker which diffuses throughout the sites of the lattice, updating the relevant spins. Since the walker is biased towards borders between clusters, the border-sites are more likely to be updated with respect to a non-diffusive dynamics and therefore, we expect the spin configurations to be affected. In particular, by means of the box-counting technique, we measure the fractal dimension of magnetic patterns emerging on the lattice, as the temperature is varied. Interestingly, our results provide a geometric signature of the phase transition and they also highlight some non-trivial, quantitative differences between the behaviors pertaining to the diffusive and non-diffusive dynamics

Topology-induced confined superfluidity in inhomogeneous arrays

We report the first study of the zero-temperature phase diagram of the Bose-Hubbard model on topologically inhomogeneous arrays. We show that the usual Mott-insulator and superfluid domains, in the paradigmatic case of the comb lattice, are separated by regions where the superfluid behaviour of the bosonic system is confined along the comb backbone. The existence of such {\it confined superfluidity}, arising from topological inhomogeneity, is proved by different analytical and numerical techniques which we extend to the case of inhomogeneous arrays. We also discuss the relevance of our results to real system exhibiting macroscopic phase coherence, such as coupled Bose condensates and Josephson arrays.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, final versio

Rare events and scaling properties in field-induced anomalous dynamics

We show that, in a broad class of continuous time random walks (CTRW), a small external field can turn diffusion from standard into anomalous. We illustrate our findings in a CTRW with trapping, a prototype of subdiffusion in disordered and glassy materials, and in the L\'evy walk process, which describes superdiffusion within inhomogeneous media. For both models, in the presence of an external field, rare events induce a singular behavior in the originally Gaussian displacements distribution, giving rise to power-law tails. Remarkably, in the subdiffusive CTRW, the combined effect of highly fluctuating waiting times and of a drift yields a non-Gaussian distribution characterized by long spatial tails and strong anomalous superdiffusion.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure