"Quasi Universality classes" in 2D frustrated XY spin systems

Abstract

Classical XY spins on a two dimensional triangular lattice with antiferromagnetic interactions are reconsidered. We find that the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition associated to the U(1) symmetry appears at a temperature 0.0020(2) below the Ising transition at 0.5122(1) associated to the Z_2 symmetry. The Ising transition has critical exponents different from the standard ones. Using extensive Monte Carlo simulations for equilibrium and dynamical properties we show that the lack of universality observed in previous studies is due to finite size corrections not taken account. Likewise the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition has a critical exponent η\approx0.36 larger than the corresponding standard value 0.25. Also the helicity jump at the critical temperature is smaller than in the ferromagnetic case in disagreement with theoretical predictions. We try using the concept of an "quasi Universality class" to reconcile the standard critical behavior observable at higher temperatures with the different quasi universal one close to the critical region.