Finite-size scaling of O(n) models in higher dimensions.

Abstract

We propose a finite-size scaling hypothesis for the ``singular'' part of the free-energy density, ${f}^{(s)}$(T,H;L), and the correlation function, G(R,T,H;L), of a system with O(n) symmetry (n\ensuremath{\ge}2), confined to geometry ${L}^{d\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}d\mathcal{'}}$\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${\ensuremath{\infty}}^{d\mathcal{'}}$ (dg4, d'\ensuremath{\le}2) and subjected to periodic boundary conditions. On the basis of this hypothesis, we predict finite-size effects in the zero-field susceptibility, \ensuremath{\chi}(T;L), the correlation length, \ensuremath{\xi}(T;L), and the ``singular'' part of the specific heat, ${c}^{(s)}$(T;L), in the region of first-order phase transition (T${T}_{c}$) as well as the region of second-order phase transition (T\ensuremath{\simeq}${T}_{c}$). It turns out that in both these regions the system in zero field can be described by a single, unifying variable v\ensuremath{\sim}${L}^{2(d\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}d\mathcal{'})/(4\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}d\mathcal{'})}$t\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}, where t\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{} is an appropriate temperature parameter of the system. To test the various predictions, a detailed analytical study is carried out in the case of the spherical model of ferromagnetism (n=\ensuremath{\infty}), and all predictions are seen to be fully borne out. For general n, we compare our findings with those of the previous authors, wherever possible, and in each case the comparison turns out to be perfect.