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Federico Corberi

Publications and source records attributed to Federico Corberi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Coarsening and percolation in a disordered ferromagnet

By studying numerically the phase-ordering kinetics of a two-dimensional ferromagnetic Ising model with quenched disorder -- either random bonds or random fields -- we show that a critical percolation structure forms in an early stage and is then progressively compactified by the ensuing coarsening process. Results are compared with the non-disordered case, where a similar phenomenon is observed, and interpreted within a dynamical scaling framework.

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On a relation between roughening and coarsening

We argue that a strict relation exists between two in principle unrelated quantities: The size of the growing domains in a coarsening system, and the kinetic roughening of an interface. This relation is confirmed by extensive simulations of the Ising model with different forms of quenched disorder, such as random bonds, random fields and stochastic dilution.

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Roughening of an interface in a system with surface or bulk disorder

We study numerically the roughening properties of an interface in a two-dimensional Ising model with either random bonds or random fields, which are representative of universality classes where disorder acts only on the interface or also away from it, in the bulk. The dynamical structure factor shows a rich crossover pattern from the form of a pure system at large wavevectors $k$, to a different behavior, typical of the kind of disorder, at smaller $k$'s. For the random field model a second crossover is observed from the typical behavior of a system where disorder is only effective on the surface, as the random bond model, to the truly large scale behavior, where bulk-disorder is important, that is observed at the smallest wavevectors.

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The role of initial state and final quench temperature on the aging properties in phase-ordering kinetics

We study numerically the two-dimensional Ising model with non-conserved dynamics quenched from an initial equilibrium state at the temperature $T_i\ge T_c$ to a final temperature $T_f$ below the critical one. By considering processes initiating both from a disordered state at infinite temperature $T_i=\infty$ and from the critical configurations at $T_i=T_c$ and spanning the range of final temperatures $T_f\in [0,T_c[$ we elucidate the role played by $T_i$ and $T_f$ on the aging properties and, in particular, on the behavior of the autocorrelation $C$ and of the integrated response function $χ$. Our results show that for any choice of $T_f$, while the autocorrelation function exponent $λ_C$ takes a markedly different value for $T_i=\infty$ [$λ_C(T_i=\infty)\simeq 5/4$] or $T_i=T_c$ [$λ_C(T_i=T_c)\simeq 1/8$] the response function exponents are unchanged. Supported by the outcome of the analytical solution of the solvable spherical model we interpret this fact as due to the different contributions provided to autocorrelation and response by the large-scale properties of the system. As changing $T_f$ is considered, although this is expected to play no role in the large-scale/long-time properties of the system, we show important effects on the quantitative behavior of $χ$. In particular, data for quenches to $T_f=0$ are consistent with a value of the response function exponent $λ_χ=\frac{1}{2}λ_C(T_i=\infty)=5/8$ different from the one [$λ_χ\in (0.5-0.56)$] found in a wealth of previous numerical determinations in quenches to finite final temperatures. This is interpreted as due to important pre-asymptotic corrections associated to $T_f>0$.

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Large deviations, condensation, and giant response in a statistical system

We study the probability distribution $P$ of the sum of a large number of non-identically distributed random variables $n_m$. Condensation of fluctuations, the phenomenon whereby one of such variables provides a macroscopic contribution to the global probability, is discussed and interpreted in analogy to phase-transitions in Statistical Mechanics. A general expression for $P$ is derived, and its sensitivity to the details of the distribution of a single $n_m$ is worked out. These general results are verified by the analytical and numerical solution of some specific examples.

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Phase ordering in 3d disordered systems

We study numerically the phase-ordering kinetics of the site-diluted and bond-diluted Ising models after a quench from an infinite to a low temperature. We show that the speed of growth of the ordered domain's size is non-monotonous with respect to the amount of dilution $D$: Starting from the pure case $D=0$ the system slows down when dilution is added, as it is usually expected when disorder is introduced, but only up to a certain value $D^*$ beyond which the speed of growth raises again. We interpret this counterintuitive fact in a renormalization-group inspired framework, along the same lines proposed for the corresponding two-dimensional systems, where a similar pattern was observed.

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Phase ordering in disordered and inhomogeneous systems

We study numerically the coarsening dynamics of the Ising model on a regular lattice with random bonds and on deterministic fractal substrates. We propose a unifying interpretation of the phase-ordering processes based on two classes of dynamical behaviors characterized by different growth-laws of the ordered domains size - logarithmic or power-law respectively. It is conjectured that the interplay between these dynamical classes is regulated by the same topological feature which governs the presence or the absence of a finite-temperature phase-transition.

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Condensation and equilibration in an urn model

After reviewing the general scaling properties of aging systems, we present a numerical study of the slow evolution induced in the zeta urn model by a quench from a high temperature to a lower one where a condensed equilibrium phase exists. By considering both one-time and two-time quantities we show that the features of the model fit into the general framework of aging systems. In particular, its behavior can be interpreted in terms of the simultaneous existence of equilibrated and aging degrees with different scaling properties.

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Coarsening in inhomogeneous systems

This Article is a brief review of coarsening phenomena occurring in systems where quenched features - such as random field, varying coupling constants or lattice vacancies - spoil homogeneity. We discuss the current understanding of the problem in ferromagnetic systems with a non-conserved scalar order parameter by focusing primarily on the form of the growth-law of the ordered domains and on the scaling properties.

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Singular behavior of fluctuations in a relaxation process

Carrying out explicitly the computation in a paradigmatic model of non-interacting systems, the Gaussian Model, we show the existence of a singular point in the probability distribution $P(M)$ of an extensive variable $M$. Interpreting $P(M)$ as a thermodynamic potential of a dual system obtained from the original one by applying a constraint, we discuss how the non-analytical point of $P(M)$ is the counterpart of a phase-transition in the companion system. We show the generality of such mechanism by considering both the system in equilibrium or in the non-equilibrium state following a temperature quench.

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Condensation of Fluctuations in and out of Equilibrium

Condensation of fluctuations is an interesting phenomenon conceptually distinct from condensation on average. One stricking feature is that, contrary to what happens on average, condensation of fluctuations may occurr even in the absence of interaction. The explanation emerges from the duality between large deviation events in the given system and typical events in a new and appropriately biased system. This surprising phenomenon is investigated in the context of the Gaussian model, chosen as paradigmatical non interacting system, before and after an istantaneous temperature quench. It is shown that the bias induces a mean-field-like effective interaction responsible of the condensation on average. Phase diagrams, covering both the equilibrium and the off-equilibrium regimes, are derived for observables representative of generic behaviors.

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How soon after a zero-temperature quench is the fate of the Ising model sealed?

We study the transient between a fully disordered initial condition and a percolating structure in the low-temperature non-conserved order parameter dynamics of the bi-dimensional Ising model. We show that a stable structure of spanning clusters establishes at a time $t_p \simeq L^{α_p}$. Our numerical results yield $α_p=0.50(2)$ for the square and kagome, $α_p=0.33(2)$ for the triangular and $α_p=0.38(5)$ for the bowtie-a lattices.We generalise the dynamic scaling hypothesis to take into account this new time-scale. We discuss the implications of these results for other non-equilibrium processes.

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Scaling in the Aging Dynamics of the Site-diluted Ising Model

We study numerically the phase-ordering kinetics of the two-dimensional site-diluted Ising model. The data can be interpreted in a framework motivated by renormalization-group concepts. Apart from the usual fixed point of the non-diluted system, there exist two disorder fixed points, characterized by logarithmic and power-law growth of the ordered domains. This structure gives rise to a rich scaling behavior, with an interesting crossover due to the competition between fixed points, and violation of superuniversality.

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Topological regulation of activation barriers on fractal substrates

We study phase-ordering dynamics of a ferromagnetic system with a scalar order-parameter on fractal graphs. We propose a scaling approach, inspired by renormalization group ideas, where a crossover between distinct dynamical behaviors is induced by the presence of a length $λ$ associated to the topological properties of the graph. The transition between the early and the asymptotic stage is observed when the typical size $L(t)$ of the growing ordered domains reaches the crossover length $λ$. We consider two classes of inhomogeneous substrates, with different activated processes, where the effects of the free energy barriers can be analytically controlled during the evolution. On finitely ramified graphs the free energy barriers encountered by domains walls grow logarithmically with $L(t)$ while they increase as a power-law on all the other structures. This produces different asymptotic growth laws (power-laws vs logarithmic) and different dependence of the crossover length $λ$ on the model parameters. Our theoretical picture agrees very well with extensive numerical simulations.

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Heat exchanges in a quenched ferromagnet

The off-equilibrium probability distribution of the heat exchanged by a ferromagnet in a time interval after a quench below the critical point is calculated analytically in the large-N limit. The distribution is characterized by a singular threshold Qc < 0, below which a macroscopic fraction of heat is released by the k = 0 Fourier component of the order parameter. The mathematical structure producing this phenomenon is the same responsible of the order parameter condensation in the equilibrium low temperature phase. The heat exchanged by the individual Fourier modes follows a non trivial pattern, with the unstable modes at small wave vectors warming up the modes around a characteristic finite wave vector kM. Two internal temperatures, associated to the k = 0 and k = kM modes, rule the heat currents through a fluctuation relation similar to the one for stationary systems in contact with two thermal reservoirs.

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Aging and Crossovers in Phase-Separating Fluid Mixtures

We use state-of-the-art molecular dynamics simulations to study hydrodynamic effects on aging during kinetics of phase separation in a fluid mixture. The domain growth law shows a crossover from a diffusive regime to a viscous hydrodynamic regime. There is a corresponding crossover in the autocorrelation function from a power-law behavior to an exponential decay. While the former is consistent with theories for diffusive domain growth, the latter results as a consequence of faster advective transport in fluids for which an analytical justification has been provided.

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Dynamic fluctuations in unfrustrated systems: random walks, scalar fields and the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase

We study analytically the distribution of fluctuations of the quantities whose average yield the usual two-point correlation and linear response functions in three unfrustrated models: the random walk, the $d$ dimensional scalar field and the 2d XY model. In particular we consider the time dependence of ratios between composite operators formed with these fluctuating quantities which generalize the largely studied fluctuation-dissipation ratio, allowing us to discuss the relevance of the effective temperature notion beyond linear order. The behavior of fluctuations in the aforementioned solvable cases is compared to numerical simulations of the 2d clock model with $p=6,12$ states.

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