Role of topological defects in the phase transition of modified XY model : A Monte Carlo study

TL;DR

This study uses Monte Carlo simulations to explore how topological defects influence phase transitions in a modified 2D XY model, revealing that defect suppression prevents the transition.

Contribution

It demonstrates that removing topological defects in a modified XY model eliminates the phase transition, highlighting their critical role.

Findings

Suppression of defects leads to no phase transition.

Defects are essential for the phase transition in the model.

Ordered phase persists at all temperatures without defects.

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulation has been performed on a classical two dimensional XY- model with a modified form of interaction potential to investigate the role of topological defects on the phase transition exhibited by the model. In simulations in a restricted ensemble without defects, the system appears to remain ordered at all temperatures. Suppression of topological defects on the square plaquettes in the modified XY- model leads to complete elimination of the phase transition observed in this model.