Phase transition in a periodic tubular structure

Abstract

We consider an $\varepsilon$-periodic ($\varepsilon\to 0$) tubular structure, modelled as a magnetic Laplacian on a metric graph, which is periodic along a single axis. We show that the corresponding Hamiltonian admits norm-resolvent convergence to an ODE on $\mathbb{R}$ which is fourth order at a discrete set of values of the magnetic potential (\emph{critical points}) and second-order generically. In a vicinity of critical points we establish a mixed-order asymptotics. The rate of convergence is also estimated. This represents a physically viable model of a phase transition as the strength of the (constant) magnetic field increases.