Commensurate-Incommensurate Transitions of the 1D Disordered Chiral Clock Model

Abstract

We study the effects of quenched disorder on the commensurate-incommensurate transitions in the 1D $\mathbb{Z}_N$ chiral clock model. The interplay of domain walls and rare regions rounds the sharp transitions of the pure model. The density of domain walls displays an essential singularity, while the order parameter develops a discontinuity at the transition. We perform extensive density-matrix renormalization group calculations to support theoretical predictions. Our results provide a distinct rounding mechanism of continuous phase transitions in disordered systems.