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Michael Aizenman

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Aizenman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2014

Random Currents and Continuity of Ising Model's Spontaneous Magnetization

The spontaneous magnetization is proved to vanish continuously at the critical temperature for a class of ferromagnetic Ising spin systems which includes the nearest neighbor ferromagnetic Ising spin model on $\mathbb Z^d$ in $d=3$ dimensions. The analysis applies also to higher dimensions, for which the result is already known, and to systems with interactions of power law decay. The proof employs in an essential way an extension of Ising model's random current representation to the model's infinite volume limit. Using it, we relate the continuity of the magnetization to the vanishing of the free boundary condition Gibbs state's Long Range Order parameter. For reflection positive models the resulting criterion for continuity may be established through the infrared bound for all but the borderline case, of the one dimensional model with $1/r^2$ interaction, for which the spontaneous magnetization is known to be discontinuous at $T_c$.

math-ph↗
arXiv2011

Resonant delocalization for random Schrödinger operators on tree graphs

We analyse the spectral phase diagram of Schrödinger operators $ T +λV$ on regular tree graphs, with $T$ the graph adjacency operator and $V$ a random potential given by iid random variables. The main result is a criterion for the emergence of absolutely continuous (ac) spectrum due to fluctuation-enabled resonances between distant sites. Using it we prove that for unbounded random potentials ac spectrum appears at arbitrarily weak disorder $(λ\ll 1)$ in an energy regime which extends beyond the spectrum of $T$. Incorporating considerations of the Green function's large deviations we obtain an extension of the criterion which indicates that, under a yet unproven regularity condition of the large deviations' 'free energy function', the regime of pure ac spectrum is complementary to that of previously proven localization. For bounded potentials we disprove the existence at weak disorder of a mobility edge beyond which the spectrum is localized.

math-ph↗
arXiv2011

Proof of Rounding by Quenched Disorder of First Order Transitions in Low-Dimensional Quantum Systems

We prove that for quantum lattice systems in d<=2 dimensions the addition of quenched disorder rounds any first order phase transition in the corresponding conjugate order parameter, both at positive temperatures and at T=0. For systems with continuous symmetry the statement extends up to d<=4 dimensions. This establishes for quantum systems the existence of the Imry-Ma phenomenon which for classical systems was proven by Aizenman and Wehr. The extension of the proof to quantum systems is achieved by carrying out the analysis at the level of thermodynamic quantities rather than equilibrium states.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2011

Absence of mobility edge for the Anderson random potential on tree graphs at weak disorder

Our recently established criterion for the formation of extended states on tree graphs in the presence of disorder is shown to have the surprising implication that for bounded random potentials, as in the Anderson model, there is no transition to a spectral regime of Anderson localization, in the form usually envisioned, unless the disorder is strong enough.

math-ph↗
arXiv2011

Extended States in a Lifshitz Tail Regime for Random Schrödinger Operators on Trees

We resolve an existing question concerning the location of the mobility edge for operators with a hopping term and a random potential on the Bethe lattice. The model has been among the earliest studied for Anderson localization, and it continues to attract attention because of analogies which have been suggested with localization issues for many particle systems. We find that extended states appear through disorder enabled resonances well beyond the energy band of the operator's hopping term. For weak disorder this includes a Lifshits tail regime of very low density of states.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗
arXiv2011

Motional Broadening in Ensembles With Heavy-Tail Frequency Distribution

We show that the spectrum of an ensemble of two-level systems can be broadened through `resetting' discrete fluctuations, in contrast to the well-known motional-narrowing effect. We establish that the condition for the onset of motional broadening is that the ensemble frequency distribution has heavy tails with a diverging first moment. We find that the asymptotic motional-broadened lineshape is a Lorentzian, and derive an expression for its width. We explain why motional broadening persists up to some fluctuation rate, even when there is a physical upper cutoff to the frequency distribution.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2010

Symmetry breaking in quasi-1D Coulomb systems

Quasi one-dimensional systems are systems of particles in domains which are of infinite extent in one direction and of uniformly bounded size in all other directions, e.g. on a cylinder of infinite length. The main result proven here is that for such particle systems with Coulomb interactions and neutralizing background, the so-called "jellium", at any temperature and at any finite-strip width there is translation symmetry breaking. This extends the previous result on Laughlin states in thin, two-dimensional strips by Jansen, Lieb and Seiler (2009). The structural argument which is used here bypasses the question of whether the translation symmetry breaking is manifest already at the level of the one particle density function. It is akin to that employed by Aizenman and Martin (1980) for a similar statement concerning symmetry breaking at all temperatures in strictly one-dimensional Coulomb systems. The extension is enabled through bounds which establish tightness of finite-volume charge fluctuations.

math-ph↗
arXiv2009

On Spin Systems with Quenched Randomness: Classical and Quantum

The rounding of first order phase transitions by quenched randomness is stated in a form which is applicable to both classical and quantum systems: The free energy, as well as the ground state energy, of a spin system on a $d$-dimensional lattice is continuously differentiable with respect to any parameter in the Hamiltonian to which some randomness has been added when $d \leq 2$. This implies absence of jumps in the associated order parameter, e.g., the magnetization in case of a random magnetic field. A similar result applies in cases of continuous symmetry breaking for $d \leq 4$. Some questions concerning the behavior of related order parameters in such random systems are discussed.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2009

Rounding of First Order Transitions in Low-Dimensional Quantum Systems with Quenched Disorder

We prove that the addition of an arbitrarily small random perturbation of a suitable type to a quantum spin system rounds a first order phase transition in the conjugate order parameter in d <= 2 dimensions, or in systems with continuous symmetry in d <= 4. This establishes rigorously for quantum systems the existence of the Imry-Ma phenomenon, which for classical systems was proven by Aizenman and Wehr.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2009

On the structure of quasi-stationary competing particle systems

We study point processes on the real line whose configurations $X$ are locally finite, have a maximum and evolve through increments which are functions of correlated Gaussian variables. The correlations are intrinsic to the points and quantified by a matrix $Q=\{q_{ij}\}_{i,j\in\mathbb{N}}$. A probability measure on the pair $(X,Q)$ is said to be quasi-stationary if the joint law of the gaps of $X$ and of $Q$ is invariant under the evolution. A known class of universally quasi-stationary processes is given by the Ruelle Probability Cascades (RPC), which are based on hierarchically nested Poisson--Dirichlet processes. It was conjectured that up to some natural superpositions these processes exhausted the class of laws which are robustly quasi-stationary. The main result of this work is a proof of this conjecture for the case where $q_{ij}$ assume only a finite number of values. The result is of relevance for mean-field spin glass models, where the evolution corresponds to the cavity dynamics, and where the hierarchical organization of the Gibbs measure was first proposed as an ansatz.

math.PR↗
arXiv2008

Localization Bounds for Multiparticle Systems

We consider the spectral and dynamical properties of quantum systems of $n$ particles on the lattice $\Z^d$, of arbitrary dimension, with a Hamiltonian which in addition to the kinetic term includes a random potential with iid values at the lattice sites and a finite-range interaction. Two basic parameters of the model are the strength of the disorder and the strength of the interparticle interaction. It is established here that for all $n$ there are regimes of high disorder, and/or weak enough interactions, for which the system exhibits spectral and dynamical localization. The localization is expressed through bounds on the transition amplitudes, which are uniform in time and decay exponentially in the Hausdorff distance in the configuration space. The results are derived through the analysis of fractional moments of the $n$-particle Green function, and related bounds on the eigenfunction correlators.

math-ph↗
arXiv2008

On the Joint Distribution of Energy Levels of Random Schroedinger Operators

We consider operators with random potentials on graphs, such as the lattice version of the random Schroedinger operator. The main result is a general bound on the probabilities of simultaneous occurrence of eigenvalues in specified distinct intervals, with the corresponding eigenfunctions being separately localized within prescribed regions. The bound generalizes the Wegner estimate on the density of states. The analysis proceeds through a new multiparameter spectral averaging principle.

math-ph↗
arXiv2007

On Bernoulli Decompositions for Random Variables, Concentration Bounds, and Spectral Localization

As was noted already by A. N. Kolmogorov, any random variable has a Bernoulli component. This observation provides a tool for the extension of results which are known for Bernoulli random variables to arbitrary distributions. Two applications are provided here: i. an anti-concentration bound for a class of functions of independent random variables, where probabilistic bounds are extracted from combinatorial results, and ii. a proof, based on the Bernoulli case, of spectral localization for random Schroedinger operators with arbitrary probability distributions for the single site coupling constants. For a general random variable, the Bernoulli component may be defined so that its conditional variance is uniformly positive. The natural maximization problem is an optimal transport question which is also addressed here.

math.PR↗
arXiv2007

The Canopy Graph and Level Statistics for Random Operators on Trees

For operators with homogeneous disorder, it is generally expected that there is a relation between the spectral characteristics of a random operator in the infinite setup and the distribution of the energy gaps in its finite volume versions, in corresponding energy ranges. Whereas pure point spectrum of the infinite operator goes along with Poisson level statistics, it is expected that purely absolutely continuous spectrum would be associated with gap distributions resembling the corresponding random matrix ensemble. We prove that on regular rooted trees, which exhibit both spectral types, the eigenstate point process has always Poissonian limit. However, we also find that this does not contradict the picture described above if that is carefully interpreted, as the relevant limit of finite trees is not the infinite homogenous tree graph but rather a single-ended ``canopy graph''. For this tree graph, the random Schroedinger operator is proven here to have only pure-point spectrum at any strength of the disorder. For more general single-ended trees it is shown that the spectrum is always singular -- pure point possibly with singular continuous component which is proven to occur in some cases.

math-ph↗
arXiv2006

Mean-Field Spin Glass models from the Cavity--ROSt Perspective

The Sherrington-Kirkpatrick spin glass model has been studied as a source of insight into the statistical mechanics of systems with highly diversified collections of competing low energy states. The goal of this summary is to present some of the ideas which have emerged in the mathematical study of its free energy. In particular, we highlight the perspective of the cavity dynamics, and the related variational principle. These are expressed in terms of Random Overlap Structures (ROSt), which are used to describe the possible states of the reservoir in the cavity step. The Parisi solution is presented as reflecting the ansatz that it suffices to restrict the variation to hierarchal structures which are discussed here in some detail. While the Parisi solution was proven to be correct, through recent works of F. Guerra and M. Talagrand, the reasons for the effectiveness of the Parisi ansatz still remain to be elucidated. We question whether this could be related to the quasi-stationarity of the special subclass of ROSts given by Ruelle's hierarchal `random probability cascades' (also known as GREM).

math-ph↗
arXiv2006

Perspectives in Statistical Mechanics

Without attempting to summarize the vast field of statistical mechanics, we briefly mention some of the progress that was made in areas which have enjoyed Barry Simon's interests. In particular, we focus on rigorous non-perturbative results which provide insight on the spread of correlations in Gibbs equilibrium states and yield information on phase transitions and critical phenomena. Briefly mentioned also are certain spinoffs, where ideas which have been fruitful within the context of statistical mechanics proved to be of use in other areas, and some recent results which relate to previously open questions and conjectures.

math-ph↗