Experiments on the random field Ising model

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent experimental advances and Monte Carlo simulations on the three-dimensional random-field Ising model, focusing on critical behavior, phase transitions, and metastability in various dimensions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of experimental results, compares them with simulations, and discusses theoretical interpretations of the random-field Ising model in three and two dimensions.

Findings

Closer characterization of static and dynamic critical behavior in 3D

Insights into the destroyed 2D transition and low-temperature metastability

Comparison of experimental data with Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract

New advances in experiments on the random-field Ising model, as realized in dilute antiferromagnets, have brought us much closer to a full characterization of the static and dynamic critical behavior of the unusual phase transition in three dimensions (d=3). The most important experiments that have laid the ground work for our present understanding are reviewed. Comparisons of the data with Monte Carlo simulations of the d=3 critical behavior are made. We review the current experimental understanding of the destroyed d=2 transition and the experiments exploring the d=2 metastability at low T. Connections to theories most relevant to the interpretations of all the experiments are discussed.