Abstract
Using Monte Carlo simulations and finite-size scaling, we study a three-state Potts antiferromagnet on a layered square lattice with two and four layers: and 4, respectively. As temperature decreases, the system develops quasi-long-range order via a Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition at finite temperature . For , as temperature is further lowered, a long-range order breaking the symmetry develops at a second transition at . The transition at is also Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless-like, but has a magnetic critical exponent instead of the conventional value . The emergent symmetry is clearly demonstrated in the quasi-long-range ordered region .
3 More- Received 15 August 2014
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.134420
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