Computer Simulations of Phase Transitions

该奖项支持将利用计算机模拟方法来补充传统理论和实验方法来研究统计物理学中各种重要问题的研究。要使用的基本技术包括蒙特卡罗和自旋动力学模拟，其实际实现已经相当复杂。广泛的模型将被检查，包括那些与磁性材料，二元半导体合金，生长薄膜和无序介质相关的。在后一类系统中，模型具有固有的局部挫折，例如，焦绿石晶格上的磁自旋。平衡系统的静态和动态临界现象将被仔细研究，并且与薄膜生长和超离子扩散（驱动扩散系统）有关的简单非平衡模型也将被研究。其中一些系统将允许粒子在空间中连续移动，受弹性相互作用的影响，而其他系统将局限于具有离散近邻相互作用的刚性晶格（包括具有连续自由度的经典自旋）。在某些情况下，有限的几何形状和/或墙壁的存在将导致与整体完全不同的行为。研究的首要目标将是发现新的现象，并提供对所研究的所有系统行为的基本理解。这项工作的一部分还将集中在开发和改进新的模拟方法上，这些方法将进一步提高我们研究无法分析处理的系统中的相变的能力。只要有可能，将结果与理论和/或实验结果进行比较。物理现象的发现和解释与预期的方法论发展相结合，形成了具有大量智力价值的连贯活动。将所研究的模型应用到其他领域，以及开发出同样可以广泛应用的方法，将会产生更广泛的影响。此外，各个层次的学生都将受益。一些资金将用于支持学生参加模拟物理的年度研讨会。该奖项支持将利用计算机模拟方法来补充传统理论和实验方法来研究统计物理学中各种重要问题的研究。要使用的基本技术包括蒙特卡罗和自旋动力学模拟，其实际实现已经相当复杂。广泛的模型将被检查，包括那些与磁性材料，二元半导体合金，生长薄膜和无序介质相关的。将所研究的模型应用到其他领域，以及开发出同样可以广泛应用的方法，将会产生更广泛的影响。此外，各个层次的学生都将受益。部分资金将用于支持学生参加模拟物理的年度研讨会

This award supports research that will utilize methods of computer simulation to complement traditional theoretical and experimental approaches to the study of diverse, important problems in statistical physics. The basic techniques to be used include Monte Carlo and spin dynamics simulations, the actual implementations of which are already quite sophisticated. A broad range of models will be examined, including those with relevance to magnetic materials, binary semiconductor alloys, growing films, and disordered media. In this latter class of systems are models with intrinsic local frustration, e.g., magnetic spins on a pyrochlore lattice. Both static and dynamic critical phenomena for systems in equilibrium will be carefully examined, and simple non-equilibrium models related to film growth and superionic diffusion (driven diffusive systems) will be studied as well. Several of the systems will allow particles to move continuously in space, subject to elastic interactions, whereas others will be confined to rigid lattices (including classical spins with continuous degrees of freedom) with discrete near neighbor interactions. In some cases, finite geometries and/or the presence of walls will be responsible for behavior which is fundamentally different from that which is found in the bulk. The over-arching objective of the research will be to discover new phenomena and to provide a fundamental understanding of the behavior of all of the systems studied. Part of this effort will also focus on the development and refinement of new simulation methods that will further enhance our ability to study phase transitions in systems that cannot be treated analytically. Whenever possible, results will be compared with those from theory and/or experiment. The combination of the discovery and explanation of physical phenomena together with the anticipated methodological developments forms a coherent activity with substantial intellectual merit. Broader impacts of this research will result from the applications of the models studied to other fields, as well as the development of methods that can also be widely applied. In addition, students at all levels will benefit. Some funds will be used to support student participation in an annual workshop on simulational physics.%%%This award supports research that will utilize methods of computer simulation to complement traditional theoretical and experimental approaches to the study of diverse, important problems in statistical physics. The basic techniques to be used include Monte Carlo and spin dynamics simulations, the actual implementations of which are already quite sophisticated. A broad range of models will be examined, including those with relevance to magnetic materials, binary semiconductor alloys, growing films, and disordered media. Broader impacts of this research will result from the applications of the models studied to other fields, as well as the development of methods that can also be widely applied. In addition, students at all levels will benefit. Some funds will be used to support student participation in an annual workshop on simulational physics.***