Computer Simulation Evidence for Berezhinskiǐ–Kosterlitz–Thouless-Like Transitions in One Dimension

Abstract

We have considered classical spin systems, consisting of n-component unit vectors (n=2,3), associated with a one-dimensional lattice {uk, k ∈ Z}, and interacting via translationally and rotationally invariant pair potentials, of the long-range and ferromagnetic form [Formula: see text] here ε is a positive constant setting energy and temperature scales (i.e. T*=k B T/ε). Available theorems entail the existence of an ordering transition at finite temperature when 0<σ<1, and its absence for σ≥1. When σ=1, spin-wave arguments and previous simulation results suggest the existence of a transition to a low-temperature phase with slow decay of correlations and infinite susceptibility, i.e. a Berezhinskiǐ–Kosterlitz–Thouless-like transition. We have reexamined this case by a more detailed simulation study, and especially addressed the sample-size dependence of calculated observables: simulation results suggest the existence of such a transition, and the proposed estimates for the transition temperatures are Θ2=0.775±0.025 and Θ3=0.500±0.025, when n=2 and n=3, respectively.