arXiv subjects

Gesualdo Delfino

Publications and source records attributed to Gesualdo Delfino.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Interface evolution in the two-dimensional quantum Ising model

We consider the unitary time evolution of an interface in the regime of spontaneously broken symmetry of the two-dimensional quantum Ising model. The interface is induced by an initial condition interpolating between the two degenerate ground states in one of the spatial dimensions. The interpolation is left generic in order to investigate the dependence of the late time dynamics on the initial condition. Exploiting the basis of asymptotic quasiparticle states of the bulk theory, the order parameter is analytically determined at large times in the rough phase. The mechanism allowing the breakdown of this phase as the distance from criticality increases emerges from the theory.

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arXiv2026

Criticality in the disordered $N$-color Ashkin-Teller model

The $N$-color Ashkin-Teller model corresponds to $N$ Ising models coupled by four-spin interactions. We consider the two-dimensional case in presence of quenched disorder and use scale invariant scattering theory to determine all the solutions of the exact renormalization group fixed points equations. The weak disorder sector is characterized by a solution that, for any fixed $N$ larger than 1, is a line of fixed points with Ising thermal exponents and continuously varying magnetic exponents. The number of fixed point solutions allowed by the symmetries of the model increases at strong disorder illustrating the growing dependence on the distributions of the two random couplings. The presence of some critical exponents which do not depend on the symmetry parameter $N$ confirms this type of superuniversality as a peculiar feature of random criticality.

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arXiv2026

On the nature of the spin glass transition

We recently showed that the two-dimensional Ising spin glass allows for a line of renormalization group fixed points which explains properties observed in numerical studies. We observe that this exact result corresponds to enhancement to a one-generator continuous internal symmetry. This finally explains why no finite temperature transition to a spin glass phase is observed in two dimensions. In more than two dimensions, instead, the continuous symmetry can be broken spontaneously and yields a spin glass order parameter which, for fixed temperature and disorder strength, takes continuous values in an interval. Such a feature is shared by the order parameter of the known mean field solution of the model with infinite-range interactions, which corresponds to infinitely many dimensions.

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arXiv2025

Quantum quenches with long range interactions

We extend the theory of quantum quenches to the case of $d$-dimensional homogeneous systems with long range interactions. This is achieved treating the long range interactions as switched on by the quench and performing the derivation within the basis of asymptotic states of the short range interacting pre-quench theory. In this way we analytically determine the post-quench state and the one-point functions of local observables such as the order parameter. One implication is that, as in the short range case, some oscillations induced by the quench remain undamped at large times under conditions specified by the theory. This explains, in particular, why such undamped oscillations have been numerically observed also in presence of long range interactions.

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arXiv2025

Exact results for spin glass criticality

In recent years scale invariant scattering theory provided the first exact access to the magnetic critical properties of two-dimensional statistical systems with quenched disorder. We show how the theory extends to the overlap variables entering the characterization of spin glass properties. The resulting exact fixed point equations yield both the magnetic and, for the first time, the spin glass renormalization group fixed points. For the case of the random bond Ising model, on which we focus, the spin glass subspace of solutions is found to contain a line of fixed points. We discuss the implications of the results for Ising spin glass criticality and compare with the available numerical results.

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arXiv2025

Critical exponents at the Nishimori point

The Nishimori point of the random bond Ising model is a prototype of renormalization group fixed points with strong disorder. We show that the exact correlation length and crossover critical exponents at this point can be identified in two and three spatial dimensions starting from properties of the Nishimori line. These are the first exact exponents for frustrated random magnets, a circumstance to be also contrasted with the fact that the exact exponents of the Ising model without disorder are not known in three dimensions. Our considerations extend to higher dimensions and models other than Ising.

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arXiv2025

Nonuniversality in random criticality

We consider $N$ two-dimensional Ising models coupled in presence of quenched disorder and use scale invariant scattering theory to exactly show the presence of a line of renormalization group fixed points for any fixed value of $N$ other than 1. We show how this result relates to perturbative studies and sheds light on numerical simulations. We also observe that the limit $N\to 1$ may be of interest for the Ising spin glass, and point out potential relevance for nonuniversality in other contexts of random criticality.

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arXiv2024

On unitary time evolution out of equilibrium

We consider $d$-dimensional quantum systems which for positive times evolve with a time-independent Hamiltonian in a nonequilibrium state that we keep generic in order to account for arbitrary evolution at negative times. We show how the one-point functions of local operators depend on the coefficients of the expansion of the nonequilibrium state on the basis of energy eigenstates. We express in this way the asymptotic offset and show under which conditions oscillations around this value stay undamped at large times. We also show how, in the case of small quenches, the structure of the general results simplifies and reproduces that known perturbatively.

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arXiv2024

Mass of quantum topological excitations and order parameter finite size dependence

We consider the spontaneously broken regime of the $O(n)$ vector model in $d=n+1$ space-time dimensions, with boundary conditions enforcing the presence of a topological defect line. Comparing theory and finite size dependence of one-point functions observed in recent numerical simulations we argue that the mass of the underlying topological quantum particle becomes infinite when $d\geq 4$.

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arXiv2023

Quantum quenches from an excited state

Determining the role of initial conditions in the late time evolution is a key issue for the theory of nonequilibrium dynamics of isolated quantum systems. Here we extend the theory of quantum quenches to the case in which before the quench the system is in an excited state. In particular, we show perturbatively in the size of the quench (and for arbitrarily strong interactions among the quasiparticles) that persistent oscillations of one-point functions require the presence of a one-quasiparticle contribution to the nonequilibrium state, as originally shown in [J. Phys. A 47 (2014) 402001] for the quenches from the ground state. Also in the present case, we argue that the results generically have nonperturbative implications. Oscillations staying undamped within the accessible time interval, far beyond the perturbative time scale, are nowadays observed in numerical simulations.

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arXiv2023

Critical points in coupled Potts models and correlated percolation

We use scale invariant scattering theory to exactly determine the renormalization group fixed points of a $q$-state Potts model coupled to an $r$-state Potts model in two dimensions. For integer values of $q$ and $r$ the fixed point equations are very constraining and show in particular that scale invariance in coupled Potts ferromagnets is limited to the Ashkin-Teller case ($q=r=2$). Since our results extend to continuous values of the number of states, we can access the limit $r\to 1$ corresponding to correlated percolation, and show that the critical properties of Potts spin clusters cannot in general be obtained from those of Fortuin-Kasteleyn clusters by analytical continuation.

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arXiv2022

On the $RP^{N-1}$ and $CP^{N-1}$ universality classes

We recently determined the exact fixed point equations and the spaces of solutions of the two-dimensional $RP^{N-1}$ and $CP^{N-1}$ models using scale invariant scattering theory. Here we discuss subtleties hidden in some solutions and related to the difference between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interaction.

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arXiv2022

Space of initial conditions and universality in nonequilibrium quantum dynamics

We study analytically the role of initial conditions in nonequilibrium quantum dynamics considering the one-dimensional ferromagnets in the regime of spontaneously broken symmetry. We analyze the expectation value of local operators for the infinite-dimensional space of initial conditions of domain wall type, generally intended as initial conditions spatially interpolating between two different ground states. At large times the unitary time evolution takes place inside a light cone produced by the spatial inhomogeneity of the initial condition. In the innermost part of the light cone the form of the space-time dependence is universal, in the sense that it is specified by data of the equilibrium universality class. The global limit shape in the variable $x/t$ changes with the initial condition. In systems with more than two ground states the tuning of an interaction parameter can induce a transition which is the nonequilibrium quantum analog of the interfacial wetting transition occurring in classical systems at equilibrium. We illustrate the general results through the examples of the Ising, Potts and Ashkin-Teller chains.

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arXiv2021

Persistent oscillations after quantum quenches in $d$ dimensions

We obtain analytical results for the time evolution of local observables in systems undergoing quantum quenches in $d$ spatial dimensions. For homogeneous systems we show that oscillations undamped in time occur when the state produced by the quench includes single-quasiparticle modes and the observable couples to those modes. In particular, a quench of the transverse field within the ferromagnetic phase of the Ising model produces undamped oscillations of the order parameter when $d>1$. For the more general case in which the quench is performed only in a subregion of the whole $d$-dimensional space occupied by the system, the time evolution occurs inside a light cone spreading away from the boundary of the quenched region as time increases. The additional condition for undamped oscillations is that the volume of the quenched region is extensive in all dimensions.

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arXiv2021

Critical points in the $CP^{N-1}$ model

We use scale invariant scattering theory to obtain the exact equations determining the renormalization group fixed points of the two-dimensional $CP^{N-1}$ model, for $N$ real. Also due to special degeneracies at $N=2$ and 3, the space of solutions for $N\geq 2$ reduces to that of the $O(N^2-1)$ model, and accounts for a zero temperature critical point. For $N<2$ the space of solutions becomes larger than that of the $O(N^2-1)$ model, with the appearance of new branches of fixed points relevant for criticality in gases of intersecting loops.

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arXiv2021

Particles, conformal invariance and criticality in pure and disordered systems

The two-dimensional case occupies a special position in the theory of critical phenomena due to the exact results provided by lattice solutions and, directly in the continuum, by the infinite-dimensional character of the conformal algebra. However, some sectors of the theory, and most notably criticality in systems with quenched disorder and short range interactions, have appeared out of reach of exact methods and lacked the insight coming from analytical solutions. In this article we review recent progress achieved implementing conformal invariance within the particle description of field theory. The formalism yields exact unitarity equations whose solutions classify critical points with a given symmetry. It provides new insight in the case of pure systems, as well as the first exact access to criticality in presence of short range quenched disorder. Analytical mechanisms emerge that in the random case allow the superuniversality of some critical exponents and make explicit the softening of first order transitions by disorder.

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arXiv2021

Interface in presence of a wall. Results from field theory

We consider three-dimensional statistical systems at phase coexistence in the half-volume with boundary conditions leading to the presence of an interface. Working slightly below the critical temperature, where universal properties emerge, we show how the problem can be studied analytically from first principles, starting from the degrees of freedom (particle modes) of the bulk field theory. After deriving the passage probability of the interface and the order parameter profile in the regime in which the interface is not bound to the wall, we show how the theory accounts at the fundamental level also for the binding transition and its key parameter.

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arXiv2021

Critical points in the $RP^{N-1}$ model

The space of solutions of the exact renormalization group fixed point equations of the two-dimensional $RP^{N-1}$ model, which we recently obtained within the scale invariant scattering framework, is explored for continuous values of $N\geq 0$. Quasi-long-range order occurs only for $N=2$, and allows for several lines of fixed points meeting at the BKT transition point. A rich pattern of fixed points is present below $N^*=2.24421..$, while only zero temperature criticality in the $O(N(N+1)/2-1)$ universality class can occur above this value. The interpretation of an extra solution at $N=3$ requires the identitication of a path to criticality specific to this value of $N$.

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