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arXiv · cond-mat/9904415

Sliding Phases in XY-Models, Crystals, and Cationic Lipid-DNA Complexes

C. S. O'Hern·T. C. Lubensky·J. Toner
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Abstract

We predict the existence of a totally new class of phases in weakly coupled, three-dimensional stacks of two-dimensional (2D) XY-models. These ``sliding phases'' behave essentially like decoupled, independent 2D XY-models with precisely zero free energy cost associated with rotating spins in one layer relative to those in neighboring layers. As a result, the two-point spin correlation function decays algebraically with in-plane separation. Our results, which contradict past studies because we include higher-gradient couplings between layers, also apply to crystals and may explain recently observed behavior in cationic lipid-DNA complexes.

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C. S. O'Hern, T. C. Lubensky, J. Toner. 1999-04-28. Sliding Phases in XY-Models, Crystals, and Cationic Lipid-DNA Complexes. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.83.2745

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