1. Cross derivative of the Gibbs free energy: A universal and efficient method for phase transitions in classical spin models
- Author
-
J. F. Yu, Zhi-Yuan Xie, K. Ji, and Yafeng Chen
- Subjects
Physics ,Phase transition ,Field (physics) ,02 engineering and technology ,Function (mathematics) ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Gibbs free energy ,Magnetic field ,symbols.namesake ,Quantum mechanics ,0103 physical sciences ,symbols ,Partial derivative ,Ising model ,010306 general physics ,0210 nano-technology ,Spin-½ - Abstract
With an auxiliary weak external magnetic field, we reexamine the fundamental thermodynamic function, Gibbs free energy $G(T,h)$, to study phase transitions in classical spin lattice models. A cross derivative, i.e., the second-order partial derivative of $G(T,h)$ with respect to both temperature and field, is calculated to precisely locate the critical temperature, which also reveals the nature of a transition. The strategy is efficient and universal, as exemplified by the five-state clock model, two-dimensional (2D) and 3D Ising models, and the $XY$ model, no matter if a transition is trivial or exotic with complex excitations. More importantly, other conjugate pairs could also be integrated into a similar cross derivative if necessary, which would greatly enrich our vision and means to investigate phase transitions both theoretically and experimentally.
- Published
- 2020