Non-universal size dependence of the free energy of confined systems near criticality

Abstract

The singular part of the finite-size free energy density $f_s$ of the O(n) symmetric $\phi^4$ field theory in the large-n limit is calculated at finite cutoff for confined geometries of linear size L with periodic boundary conditions in 2 < d < 4 dimensions. We find that a sharp cutoff $\Lambda$ causes a non-universal leading size dependence $f_s \sim \Lambda^{d-2} L^{-2}$ near $T_c$ which dominates the universal scaling term $\sim L^{-d}$. This implies a non-universal critical Casimir effect at $T_c$ and a leading non-scaling term $\sim L^{-2}$ of the finite-size specific heat above $T_c$.