Nonuniversal size dependence of the free energy of confined systems near criticality
Abstract
The singular part of the finite-size free-energy density fs of the O(n) symmetric φ4 field theory is calculated for confined geometries of linear size L with periodic boundary conditions in the large-n limit and with Dirichlet boundary conditions in one-loop order. We find that both a sharp cutoff and a subleading long-range interaction cause a leading nonuniversal L dependence of fs near Tc. This implies a significant restriction for the validity of universal finite-size scaling for model systems and real systems. For film geometry we predict a leading nonuniversal contribution to the critical Casimir force above the superfluid transition of 4He.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review E
- Pub Date:
- July 2002
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevE.66.016102
- arXiv:
- arXiv:cond-mat/0108202
- Bibcode:
- 2002PhRvE..66a6102C
- Keywords:
-
- 05.70.Jk;
- 64.60.-i;
- Critical point phenomena;
- General studies of phase transitions;
- Condensed Matter - Statistical Mechanics
- E-Print:
- RevTex, 4 pages