Séminaire de probabilités et physique statistique de l'IHES

Phase transition in the loop O(n) model

by Prof. Alexander Glazman (Tel Aviv University & IHES)

Europe/Paris
Amphithéâtre Léon Motchane (IHES)

Amphithéâtre Léon Motchane

IHES

Le Bois-Marie 35, route de Chartres 91440 Bures-sur-Yvette
Description
The loop $O(n)$ model is a model for a random collection of non-intersecting loops on the hexagonal lattice, which is believed to be in the same universality class as the spin $O(n)$ model. It has been predicted by Nienhuis that for $0\le n\le 2$ the loop $O(n)$ model exhibits a phase transition at a critical parameter $x_c(n)=1/\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2-n}}$. For $0<n\le 2$, the transition line has been further conjectured to separate a regime with short loops when $x<x_c(n)$ from a regime with macroscopic loops when $x\ge x_c(n)$.

In this talk we will prove that for $n\in [1,2]$ and $x=x_c(n)$ the loop $O(n)$ model exhibits macroscopic loops. A main tool in the proof is a new positive association (FKG) property shown to hold when $n \ge 1$ and $0<x\le\frac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$. This property implies, using techniques recently developed for the random-cluster model, the following dichotomy: either long loops are exponentially unlikely or the origin is surrounded by loops at any scale (box-crossing property). We develop a domain gluing' technique which allows us to employ Smirnov's parafermionic observable to rule out the first alternative when $x=x_c(n)$.`
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