Critical behavior of the structure factor for higher harmonics in density wave systems

Amnon Aharony, R. J. Birgeneau, C. W. Garland, Y. J. Kim, V. V. Lebedev, R. R. Netz, M. J. Young

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The structure factor Sn(q)=ψn(q)ψn*(q) associated with fluctuations in the nth harmonic density wave (DW) order parameter ψn of a uniaxial system is affected by its bare q dependence, and by the coupling Re(ψn*ψ1n). The latter involves correlations in the secondary order parameter ψ1n, characterized by a correlation length ξn=ξn0[(T-Tc)/Tc]-ν, with the same XY model exponent ν for all n, and decaying as q-(2-ηn) for large q. For n>1, ηn is large. The ratio Xn=(ξn0/ξ10)2 is universal, and X2=ε/20-ε2/100+O(ε3) in d=4-ε. This naturally explains previously puzzling experimental results for S2 at a nematic-smectic- A2 transition. Similar predictions apply for other secondary order parameter correlations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5064-5067
Number of pages4
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume74
Issue number25
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1995
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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