Universality classes for line-depinning transitions

Eugene B. Kolomeisky and Joseph P. Straley
Phys. Rev. B 46, 12664 – Published 15 November 1992
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Abstract

The universality classes and exact critical singularities for line-depinning transitions in a space of d transverse dimensions are determined using a renormalization method. Pinning potentials that fall off faster with distance than 1/r2 lead to nontrivial first-order phase transitions above the upper critical dimensionality d=4, and to second-order transitions for d<4. For d=2 the free-energy density has an essential singularity of the form exp(-1/τ), were τ is the thermal scaling field. The next-nearest corrections to the free energy will be calculated for the case where the long-range part of the pinning potential decays faster than 1/r2. Pinning potentials containing an inverse square tail can give rise to a nontrivial first-order phase transition above an upper critical dimension, second-order transitions with nonuniversal exponents, or Kosterlitz-Thouless-like transitions with a multicritical point between the last two regimes, depending on the strength of the interaction. Attractive pinning potentials decaying slower than 1/r2 prevent depinning transitions at finite temperature, whereas repulsive ones in the presence of short-range attraction lead to first-order transitions.

  • Received 27 February 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.46.12664

©1992 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Eugene B. Kolomeisky and Joseph P. Straley

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0055

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Issue

Vol. 46, Iss. 19 — 15 November 1992

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