BKT phase transitions in two-dimensional non-Abelian spin models

Abstract

It is argued that two-dimensional U(N) spin models for any N undergo a BKT-like phase transition, similarly to the famous XY model. This conclusion follows from the Berezinskii-like calculation of the two-point correlation function in U(N) models, approximate renormalization group analysis and numerical investigations of the U(2) model. It is shown, via Monte Carlo simulations, that the universality class of the U(2) model coincides with that of the XY model. Moreover, preliminary numerical results point out that two-dimensional SU(N) spin models with the fundamental and adjoint terms and N>4 exhibit two phase transitions of BKT type, similarly to Z(N) vector models.

24 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables, version accepted for publication on Phys. Rev. E