Interface Approach to Phase Transitions and Ordering by Monte Carlo Simulations and Its Applications to Three-Dimensional Antiferromagnetic Potts Models

Abstract

We develop an interface approach to bulk phase transitions and ordered states by using Monte Garlo simulations, and apply it to antiferromagnetic q -state Potts models with q =3∼6 on the simple cubic lattice. A stiffness exponent a defined by Δ F ∼ L a , where Δ F is the interface free energy for a system of size L , is introduced as a measure of the stiffness of the ordered phase against an external stress. Applying finite-size scaling to Δ F and to the squared order parameter enable one to determine each of T c , ν, β and γ in order where T c is the critical temperature and the others are critical exponents. This approach also provides a means to study properties of the ordered state through a and interface profiles. In the q =3 and 4 models the estimated exponents ν, β, γ and a indicate new universality classes. The q =5 model shows a phase transition, while the q =6 model does not. The q =3∼5 models have non-integer values of a at low temperatures. The phase transitions in these models are confirmed to be due to entropy gains.