The random Blume-Capel model on cubic lattice: first order inverse freezing in a 3D spin-glass system

TL;DR

This study numerically investigates the 3D Blume-Capel spin-glass model, revealing a first-order inverse freezing transition and analyzing the nature of the spin-glass phase with evidence of replica symmetry breaking.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed numerical evidence of inverse freezing as a first-order transition in a 3D spin-glass system with quenched disorder.

Findings

Inverse freezing is confirmed as a first-order transition.

The second-order transition shares universality with the Edwards-Anderson model.

Evidence suggests a replica symmetry breaking-like organization of states.

Abstract

We present a numerical study of the Blume-Capel model with quenched disorder in 3D. The phase diagram is characterized by spin-glass/paramagnet phase transitions of both 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. The whole inverse freezing transition appears to be first order. The second order transition appears to be in the same universality class of the Edwards-Anderson model. The nature of the spin-glass phase is analyzed by means of the finite size scaling behavior of the overlap distribution functions and the four-spins real-space correlation functions. Evidence for a replica symmetry breaking-like organization of states is provided.