arXiv subjects

Andrea Gambassi

Publications and source records attributed to Andrea Gambassi.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

Colloidal aggregation and critical Casimir forces

A recent Letter [Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 156101 (2009)] reports the experimental observation of aggregation of colloidal particles dispersed in a liquid mixture of heavy water and 3-methylpyridine. The experimental data are interpreted in terms of a model which accounts solely for the competing effects of the interparticle electrostatic repulsion and of the attractive critical Casimir force. Here we show, however, that the reported aggregation actually occurs within ranges of values of the correlation length and of the Debye screening length ruled out by the proposed model and that a significant part of the experimental data presented in the Letter cannot be consistently interpreted in terms of such a model.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2008

The Casimir effect: from quantum to critical fluctuations

The Casimir effect in quantum electrodynamics (QED) is perhaps the best-known example of fluctuation-induced long-ranged force acting on objects (conducting plates) immersed in a fluctuating medium (quantum electromagnetic field in vacuum). A similar effect emerges in statistical physics, where the force acting, e.g., on colloidal particles immersed in a binary liquid mixture is affected by the classical thermal fluctuations occurring in the surrounding medium. The resulting Casimir-like force acquires universal features upon approaching a critical point of the medium and becomes long-ranged at criticality. In turn, this universality allows one to investigate theoretically the temperature dependence of the force via representative models and to stringently test the corresponding predictions in experiments. In contrast to QED, the Casimir force resulting from critical fluctuations can be easily tuned with respect to strength and sign by surface treatments and temperature control. We present some recent advances in the theoretical study of the universal properties of the critical Casimir force arising in thin films. The corresponding predictions compare very well with the experimental results obtained for wetting layers of various fluids. We discuss how the Casimir force between a colloidal particle and a planar wall immersed in a binary liquid mixture has been measured with femto-Newton accuracy, comparing these experimental results with the corresponding theoretical predictions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2007

Relaxation phenomena at criticality

The collective behaviour of statistical systems close to critical points is characterized by an extremely slow dynamics which, in the thermodynamic limit, eventually prevents them from relaxing to an equilibrium state after a change in the thermodynamic control parameters. The non-equilibrium evolution following this change displays some of the features typically observed in glassy materials, such as ageing, and it can be monitored via dynamic susceptibilities and correlation functions of the order parameter, the scaling behaviour of which is characterized by universal exponents, scaling functions, and amplitude ratios. This universality allows one to calculate these quantities in suitable simplified models and field-theoretical methods are a natural and viable approach for this analysis. In addition, if a statistical system is spatially confined, universal Casimir-like forces acting on the confining surfaces emerge and they build up in time when the temperature of the system is tuned to its critical value. We review here some of the theoretical results that have been obtained in recent years for universal quantities, such as the fluctuation-dissipation ratio, associated with the non-equilibrium critical dynamics, with particular focus on the Ising model with Glauber dynamics in the bulk. The non-equilibrium dynamics of the Casimir force acting in a film is discussed within the Gaussian model.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2007

The non-equilibrium response of the critical Ising model: Universal scaling properties and Local Scale Invariance

Motivated by recent numerical findings [M. Henkel, T. Enss, and M. Pleimling, J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 39 (2006) L589] we re-examine via Monte Carlo simulations the linear response function of the two-dimensional Ising model with Glauber dynamics quenched to the critical point. At variance with the results of Henkel et al., we detect discrepancies between the actual scaling behavior of the response function and the prediction of Local Scale Invariance. Such differences are clearly visible in the impulse autoresponse function, whereas they are drastically reduced in integrated response functions. Accordingly, the scaling form predicted on the basis of Local Scale Invariance simply provides an accurate fitting form for some quantities but cannot be considered to be exact.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2007

Dynamic crossover in the global persistence at criticality

We investigate the global persistence properties of critical systems relaxing from an initial state with non-vanishing value of the order parameter (e.g., the magnetization in the Ising model). The persistence probability of the global order parameter displays two consecutive regimes in which it decays algebraically in time with two distinct universal exponents. The associated crossover is controlled by the initial value m_0 of the order parameter and the typical time at which it occurs diverges as m_0 vanishes. Monte-Carlo simulations of the two-dimensional Ising model with Glauber dynamics display clearly this crossover. The measured exponent of the ultimate algebraic decay is in rather good agreement with our theoretical predictions for the Ising universality class.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2006

Slow dynamics in critical ferromagnetic vector models relaxing from a magnetized initial state

Within the universality class of ferromagnetic vector models with O(n) symmetry and purely dissipative dynamics, we study the non-equilibrium critical relaxation from a magnetized initial state. Transverse correlation and response functions are exactly computed for Gaussian fluctuations and in the limit of infinite number n of components of the order parameter. We find that the fluctuation-dissipation ratios (FDRs) for longitudinal and transverse modes differ already at the Gaussian level. In these two exactly solvable cases we completely describe the crossover from the short-time to the long-time behavior, corresponding to a disordered and a magnetized initial condition, respectively. The effects of non-Gaussian fluctuations on longitudinal and transverse quantities are calculated in the first order in the epsilon-expansion and reliable three-dimensional estimates of the two FDRs are obtained.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2006

Ageing in the contact process: Scaling behavior and universal features

We investigate some aspects of the ageing behavior observed in the contact process after a quench from its active phase to the critical point. In particular we discuss the scaling properties of the two-time response function and we calculate it and its universal ratio to the two-time correlation function up to first order in the field-theoretical epsilon-expansion. The scaling form of the response function does not fit the prediction of the theory of local scale invariance. Our findings are in good qualitative agreement with recent numerical results.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2006

Critical aging of Ising ferromagnets relaxing from an ordered state

We investigate the nonequilibrium behavior of the d-dimensional Ising model with purely dissipative dynamics during its critical relaxation from a magnetized initial configuration. The universal scaling forms of the two-time response and correlation functions of the magnetization are derived within the field-theoretical approach and the associated scaling functions and fluctuation-dissipation ratio are computed up to first order in the epsilon-expansion. Aging behavior is clearly displayed during the critical relaxation. These results are confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations of the two-dimensional Ising model with Glauber dynamics. The crossover to the case of relaxation from a disordered state is discussed and the crossover function for the fluctuation-dissipation ratio is computed within the Gaussian approximation.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2005

Critical Behavior of the Two-Dimensional Randomly Driven Lattice Gas

We investigate the critical behavior of the two-dimensional randomly driven lattice gas, in which particles are driven along one of the lattice axes by an infinite external field with randomly changing sign. A finite-size scaling (FSS) analysis provides novel evidences that this model is not in the same universality class as the driven lattice gas with a constant drive (DLG), contrarily to what has been recently reported in the literature. Indeed, the FSS functions of transverse observables (i.e., related to order-parameter fluctuations with wave vector perpendicular to the direction of the field) differ from the mean-field behavior predicted and observed within the DLG universality class. At variance with the DLG case, FSS is attained on lattices with fixed aspect ratio and anisotropy exponent equal to 1 and the transverse Binder cumulant does not vanish at the critical point.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2005

Corrections to local scale invariance in the non-equilibrium dynamics of critical systems: numerical evidences

Local scale invariance (LSI) has been recently proposed as a possible extension of the dynamical scaling in systems at the critical point and during phase ordering. LSI has been applied inter alia to provide predictions for the scaling properties of the response function of non-equilibrium critical systems in the aging regime following a quench from the high-temperature phase to the critical point. These predictions have been confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations and analytical results for some specific models, but they are in disagreement with field-theoretical predictions. By means of Monte Carlo simulations of the critical two- and three-dimensional Ising model with Glauber dynamics, we study the intermediate integrated response, finding deviations from the corresponding LSI predictions that are in qualitative agreement with the field-theoretical computations. This result casts some doubts on the general applicability of LSI to critical dynamics.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2005

Ageing Properties of Critical Systems

In the past few years systems with slow dynamics have attracted considerable theoretical and experimental interest. Ageing phenomena are observed during this ever-lasting non-equilibrium evolution. A simple instance of such a behaviour is provided by the dynamics that takes place when a system is quenched from its high-temperature phase to the critical point. The aim of this review is to summarize the various numerical and analytical results that have been recently obtained for this case. Particular emphasis is put to the field-theoretical methods that can be used to provide analytical predictions for the relevant dynamical quantities. Fluctuation-dissipation relations are discussed and in particular the concept of fluctuation-dissipation ratio (FDR) is reviewed, emphasizing its connection with the definition of a possible effective temperature. The Renormalization-Group approach to critical dynamics is summarized and the scaling forms of the time-dependent non-equilibrium correlation and response functions of a generic observable are discussed. From them the universality of the associated FDR follows as an amplitude ratio. It is then possible to provide predictions for ageing quantities in a variety of different models. In particular the results for Model A, B, and C dynamics of the O(N) Ginzburg-Landau Hamiltonian, and Model A dynamics of the weakly dilute Ising magnet and of a ϕ^3 theory, are reviewed and compared with the available numerical results and exact solutions. The effect of a planar surface on the ageing behaviour of Model A dynamics is also addressed within the mean-field approximation.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2004

On the definition of a unique effective temperature for non-equilibrium critical systems

We consider the problem of the definition of an effective temperature via the long-time limit of the fluctuation-dissipation ratio (FDR) after a quench from the disordered state to the critical point of an O(N) model with dissipative dynamics. The scaling forms of the response and correlation functions of a generic observable are derived from the solutions of the corresponding Renormalization Group equations. We show that within the Gaussian approximation all the local observables have the same FDR, allowing for a definition of a unique effective temperature. This is no longer the case when fluctuations are taken into account beyond that approximation, as shown by a computation up to the first order in the epsilon-expansion for two quadratic observables. This implies that, contrarily to what often conjectured, a unique effective temperature can not be defined for this class of models.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2003

Finite-Size Scaling in the Driven Lattice Gas

We present a Monte Carlo study of the high-temperature phase of the two-dimensional driven lattice gas at infinite driving field. We define a finite-volume correlation length, verify that this definition has a good infinite-volume limit independent of the lattice geometry, and study its finite-size-scaling behavior. The results for the correlation length are in good agreement with the predictions based on the field theory proposed by Janssen, Schmittmann, Leung, and Cardy. The theoretical predictions for the susceptibility and the magnetization are also well verified. We show that the transverse Binder parameter vanishes at the critical point in all dimensions $d\ge 2$ and discuss how such result should be expected in the theory of Janssen et al. in spite of the existence of a dangerously irrelevant operator. Our results confirm the Gaussian nature of the transverse excitations.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2003

Comment on ``Dynamic behavior of anisotropic non-equilibrium driving lattice gases''

In a recent Letter Albano and Saracco study the dynamic critical behavior of some anisotropic driven lattice gases by Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. In this Comment we point out that the Ansätze they use to relate the measured scaling exponents with the critical exponents analytically computed within different field-theoretical approaches do not take properly into account the strongly anisotropic nature of the phase transition, by implicitly assuming $z = z_{\bot} = z_{\parallel}$. As a consequence, at variance with the claims by the authors, their MC data are not conclusive to determine which one of the field theories proposed in the literature correctly describes the universal properties of the phase transition in these lattice gases.

cond-mat↗

arXiv2003

Shape dependence of the finite-size scaling limit in a strongly anisotropic $O(\infty)$ model

We discuss the shape dependence of the finite-size scaling limit in a strongly anisotropic O(N) model in the large-N limit. We show that scaling is observed even if an incorrect value for the anisotropy exponent is considered. However, the related exponents may only be effective ones, differing from the correct critical exponents of the model. We discuss the implications of our results for numerical finite-size scaling studies of strongly anisotropic systems.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2002

Transverse Fluctuations in the Driven Lattice Gas

We define a transverse correlation length suitable to discuss the finite-size-scaling behavior of an out-of-equilibrium lattice gas, whose correlation functions decay algebraically with the distance. By numerical simulations we verify that this definition has a good infinite-volume limit independent of the lattice geometry. We study the transverse fluctuations as they can select the correct field-theoretical description. By means of a careful finite-size scaling analysis, without tunable parameters, we show that they are Gaussian, in agreement with the predictions of the model proposed by Janssen, Schmittmann, Leung, and Cardy.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2002

Aging at Criticality in Model C Dynamics

We study the off-equilibrium two-point critical response and correlation functions for the relaxational dynamics with a coupling to a conserved density (Model C) of the O(N) vector model. They are determined in an ε=4-d expansion for vanishing momentum. We briefly discuss their scaling behaviors and the associated scaling forms are determined up to first order in epsilon. The corresponding fluctuation-dissipation ratio has a non trivial large time limit in the aging regime and, up to one-loop order, it is the same as that of the Model A for the physically relevant case N=1. The comparison with predictions of local scale invariance is also discussed.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2002

Two-loop Critical Fluctuation-Dissipation Ratio for the Relaxational Dynamics of the O(N) Landau-Ginzburg Hamiltonian

The off-equilibrium purely dissipative dynamics (Model A) of the O(N) vector model is considered at criticality in an $ε= 4- d > 0$ up to O($ε^2$). The scaling behavior of two-time response and correlation functions at zero momentum, the associated universal scaling functions, and the nontrivial limit of the fluctuation-dissipation ratio are determined in the aging regime.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗