Random-field critical behavior and the Ginzburg criterion.

Abstract

The Ginzburg criterion for crossover from classical to nonclassical critical behavior is derived in the presence of random fields. Experiments on dilute antiferromagnets in a field are examined, and the possibility of such a crossover is investigated. We also point out that the (necessarily) symmetric logarithmic divergence observed in birefringence measurements can be accompanied by a discontinuity, and a fitting form which allows for this and other corrections to scaling is proposed.