Subleading long-range interactions and violations of finite size scaling

Abstract

We study the behavior of systems in which the interaction contains a long-range component that does not dominate the critical behavior. Such a component is exemplified by the van der Waals force between molecules in a simple liquid-vapor system. In the context of the mean spherical model with periodic boundary conditions we are able to identify, for temperatures close above $T_c$, finite-size contributions due to the {\it subleading} term in the interaction that are {\it dominant} in this region decaying algebraically as a function of $L$. This mechanism goes beyond the standard formulation of the finite-size scaling but is to be expected in real physical systems. We also discuss other ways in which critical point behavior is modified that are of relevance for analysis of Monte Carlo simulations of such systems.