Interacting Arrays of Steps and Lines in Random Media

TL;DR

This paper presents a renormalization group analysis of two interacting arrays of directed lines in random media, revealing complex phase behavior relevant to crystal surfaces and superconductors.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed phase diagram for interacting line arrays, including a glassy flat phase and a novel second-order transition with varying critical exponents.

Findings

Discovery of a glassy flat phase with disordered domains

Identification of a new second-order phase transition with variable exponents

Demonstration of the disappearance of super-rough phases in coupled arrays

Abstract

The phase diagram of two interacting planar arrays of directed lines in random media is obtained by a renormalization group analysis. The results are discussed in the contexts of the roughening of reconstructed crystal surfaces, and the pinning of flux line arrays in layered superconductors. Among the findings are a glassy flat phase with disordered domain structures, a novel second-order phase transition with continuously varying critical exponents, and the generic disappearance of the glassy ``super-rough'' phases found previously for a single array.