Gauge theory picture of an ordering transition in a dimer model

Daniel Charrier (1, 2) , Fabien Alet (1, 2) , Pierre Pujol (1, 2)

1 FFC - Fermions Fortement Corrélés (LPT)
2 LPT - Laboratoire de Physique Théorique

We study a phase transition in a 3D lattice gauge theory, a "coarse-grained" version of a classical dimer model. Duality arguments indicate that the dimer lattice theory should be dual to a XY model coupled to a gauge field with geometric frustration. The transition between a Coulomb phase with dipolar correlations and a long range ordered columnar phase is understood in terms of a Higgs mechanism. Monte Carlo simulations of the dual model indicate a continuous transition with exponents close but apparently different from those of the 3d XY model. The continuous nature of the transition is confirmed by a flowgram analysis.

Domaines: Autre [cond-mat.other]

Daniel Charrier, Fabien Alet, Pierre Pujol. Gauge theory picture of an ordering transition in a dimer model. Physical Review Letters, 2008, 101 (16), pp.167205. ⟨10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.167205⟩. ⟨hal-00343738⟩