Scaling theory of the random-field Ising model

Abstract

The scaling laws derived by Grinstein (1976) for the random-field Ising model (RFIM) are rederived on the assumption that the transition is second order and that the critical behaviour is controlled by a zero-temperature fixed point. The scaling laws involve three independent exponents nu , eta and gamma , the last appearing in a modified hyperscaling relation, 2- alpha =(d-y) nu . It is argued that such hyperscaling modifications are a general feature of phase transitions controlled by zero-temperature fixed points. Explicit evaluation of the RFIM exponents in d=2+ epsilon dimensions, yields, to order epsilon , 1/ nu = epsilon , eta =1- epsilon /2 and y=1+ epsilon /2. The exponent nu is different from that of the pure model in (d-y) dimensions implying that no exact 'dimensional reduction' is possible near two dimensions.