Glassy transition and metastability in four-spin Ising model
Abstract
Using Monte Carlo simulations we show that the three-dimensional Ising model with four-spin (plaquette) interactions has some characteristic glassy features. The model dynamically generates diverging energy barriers, which give rise to slow dynamics at low temperature. Moreover, in a certain temperature range the model possesses a metastable (supercooled liquid) phase, which is presumably supported by certain entropy barriers. Although extremely strong, metastability in our model is only a finite-size effect and sufficiently large droplets of stable phase divert evolution of the system toward the stable phase. Thus, the glassy transitions in this model is a dynamic transition, preceded by a pronounced peak in the specific heat.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/9812098,
title = {Glassy transition and metastability in four-spin Ising model},
author = {A. Lipowski and D. Johnston},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/9812098},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
extensively revised, with further simulations of metastability properties, response to referees tactfully removed