Thermodynamic first order transition and inverse freezing in a 3D spin-glass

TL;DR

This study investigates a 3D spin-glass model revealing complex phase transitions, including inverse freezing, through advanced numerical simulations, contributing new insights into disordered magnetic systems.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed numerical evidence of inverse freezing in a 3D short-range disordered system, expanding understanding of phase transitions in spin glasses.

Findings

Evidence of first and second order phase transitions.

Clear demonstration of inverse freezing phenomenon.

Analysis of critical behavior and phase coexistence.

Abstract

We present a numerical study of the random Blume-Capel model in three dimension. The phase diagram is characterized by spin-glass/paramagnet phase transitions both of first and second order in the thermodynamic sense. Numerical simulations are performed using the Exchange-Monte Carlo algorithm, providing clear evidence for inverse freezing. The main features at criticality and in the phase coexistence region are investigated. We are not privy to other 3D short-range systems with quenched disorder undergoing inverse freezing.